Workshop “Current Developments in Central Asia: Politics, Society and (Inter) Regional Cooperation”

In Central Asia, the process of gaining independence showed considerably common political patterns and dynamics. Nowadays, the Central Asian countries face similar structural problems like managing political, economic and social transformation, overcoming major economic problems caused by independence from the Soviet Union/Russia and finding a sustainable strategy for their future socio-economic development. Nonetheless, considerable differences in the chosen political model, strategy and acceptance tactics have emerged and a significant heterogeneity in the power dynamics and economic capacities characterizes the CA Republics. The conference is focused on the effects of domestic and in particular societal developments on transformation and regionalization in Central Asia looking at intraregional, interregional, transregional and global dynamics. Particular attention will also be given to the divergent and often competitive interests and strategies of Central Asia’s neighbors (Russia, China but also India) as well as other global actors like the U.S. and the EU in the region.

More specifically, we are inviting proposals which can generate a fruitful discussion concerning the following aspects:

• Processes of regionalization within Central Asia and processes of interregionalization in Wider Asia including Central Asia’s major neighboring states (Russia, China and India);
• EU – Central Asia interregional patterns, dynamics, and institution-building as well as EU’s Central Asia Strategy;
• Promotion of good governance in the region and the role of the government and the business sector in strengthening civil society;
• The contribution of civil society organizations and non-governmental actors to regionalization processes;
• Issues and challenges on human rights and media landscape;
• Theoretical and methodological issues and challenges in the study of regionalization within and beyond Central Asia.

Proposals for papers at the conference are welcome until June 30, 2015. Applications should include an abstract of the proposed presentation (around 300 words) as well as the author’s short CV and should be sent to: Chiara.Pierobon@uni-bielefeld.de

* The workshop is supported by Volkswagen Foundation in the framework of the collaborative research and professionalization project “Exploring Patterns of Regional and Interregional Cooperation: Central Asia, its Neighboring Countries and Europe” (2012-2015)

Dr. Chiara Pierobon 
Zentrum für Deutschland- und Europastudien ZDES
Universität Bielefeld
Fakultät für Soziologie
Postfach 100131
D-33501 Bielefeld
Email: ca.conference@uni-bielefeld.de