OSCE Centre in Bishkek invites new perspectives on combating corruption in Kyrgyzstan

Seeking new perspectives to take forward the fight against corruption in Kyrgyzstan was the focus of a series of events organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek entitled “Evenings of Contrast”, which took place in Bishkek from 5 to 9 December 2011.

The events were held in the run-up to International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December and brought together students, journalists, bloggers, civil society representatives and other interested citizens to exchange experiences and their ideas for ways to fight corruption.

As part of the events, five speakers staged performances inviting the audience to look at the essence of corruption from a cultural, social and psychological angle. The goal of these performances was to create “cognitive dissonance” in the spectator and trigger a process of re-thinking of the concept of corruption.

Volker Jacoby, the Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said: “The unusual approach of these events aims to raise awareness of the problem and contribute to a much-needed public debate on innovative ways to tackle corruption.”

The project is part of a broader initiative by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek to promote good governance in Kyrgyzstan.