Young policy advisers from Central Asian states enhance their policymaking skills

Young policy advisers from Central Asian ministries, state administrations, parliaments and academic and research institutions completed an OSCE-organized intensive four-day Young Policy Advisers Course on 30 November 2018 in Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul. The course aimed to contribute to a better understanding of the role of policy professionals, while facilitating networking of young officials from Central Asia.

Organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek in close co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe and with the support of other OSCE field operations in Central Asia, the course brought together 26 participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to enhance their skills in policy advising and planning by applying techniques of analysis, negotiation, communication and public speaking.

“This training course contributed to enhancing the capacity of young policy advisers from Central Asian states in decision-making processes and facilitating their professional networking and communication”, noted Yuri Fenopetov, Senior Policy Adviser of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

The course built on the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) Political Adviser’s Handbook which was used as the main reference material. The training was delivered by three prominent international mentors from Poland and Russia, and was based on active participation, engagement and practical exercises.

“This was a very interesting and useful course for professional growth and development”, said Mr. Azizjon Karimov, one of the participants in the course. “Also noteworthy is the active participation of young advisers from all Central Asian states, which helped to improve mutual understanding and constructive dialogue among them.”

The training course was conducted within the framework of the implementation of the OSCE project “Enhancing the awareness and capacity of young men and women to address issues of CVE.”