OSCE-supported project aims to improve economic research capacity in Central Asia for policy-making

BISHKEK, 21 August 2006 - Strengthening the research capacity of Central Asian universities to more actively contribute to economic policy-making is the goal of an OSCE-supported project being discussed at a regional conference that opened today in Bishkek.

The two-day event brought together representatives of 20 universities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as Education Ministry officials, economics education experts and local business community representatives.

"With enough research to support their decisions, economic policy makers can better respond to the needs of the local community," said Nina Lindroos-Kopolo, Programme Officer at the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

"Good research can contribute to economic development, help increase the knowledge on economic and environmental challenges to security and identify strategies to deal with them."

Eric Livny, the Director of the Economics Education and Research Consortium (EERC), added: "Seventy-four research projects have been implemented since the launch of the project a year ago. To maintain the momentum, we need to find a way to institutionalize applied research functions in Central Asian universities and strengthen the links between universities and governments."

The Central Asia Applied Research Network project is a joint initiative of the Eurasia Foundation, the OSCE, EERC, the CARANA Corporation's Business and Economics Education Project, the Regional Education Association, the U.S. Agency for International Development and local business donors.