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The Kyrgyz-British Society (KBS) is a not-for-profit organisation which was incorporated in 2009 with a view to enhancing the advancement of social, economic and cultural cooperation between the United Kingdom and the Kyrgyz Republic. Its members include British and Kyrgyz professionals, entrepreneurs and academics.
The founding members of the Kyrgyz-British Society, who formed the first board of directors, are passionate about developing relationships between Kyrgyz and British businesses, artists and students so that people of the two countries learn more about each other and benefit from increased mutual understanding.
We hope to serve as a forum for Kyrgyz nationals living, working or studying in the UK and for British businesses with interests in Kyrgyzstan. To that end, The Society has already hosted various cultural and social events in London with a view to encouraging social contact and academic debate. We hope to foster the development of greater links between Britain and Kyrgyzstan in the future and are developing a programme of events for 2011. Please check our ‘Events’ section for further information.
Charity Gala Dinner
KBS is pleased to announce its first Charity Gala Dinner. For more information, please see here
Roundtable
The KBS cordially invites you to a roundtable discussion in London, with a live link to Bishkek, on:
Monday 19 December
Room 612, Institute of Archaeology, 31–34 Gordon Square, London
Osh and the International Community
Doors open at 11.30 am. The roundtable commences at 12:00 and finishes at approx. 13.30.
Co-chairs: Rebecca Beardmore (University College London)
Dr Sally N. Cummings (University of St Andrews)
Speakers:
David Lewis (Department of Peace Studies, Bradford) 'The international community and the violence in Osh: divergent responses to resolving conflict'
Elmira Satybaldieva (Karelian Institute, University of Eastern Finland) ‘Osh: Local sources of tension and ethnicisation of the international response’
Medet Tiulegenov (American University of Central Asia, live link from Bishkek) ‘Discources and Local Narratives on the Role of the International Community in June Events of 2011’
Ernest Zhanaev (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mission in Osh, South Kyrgyzstan, live link from Bishkek) ‘South Kyrgyzstan: Sources of Development’
The views expressed by the speakers are their own and do not represent those of their organization.
There will be a £10 entry cost that includes annual membership of the KBS. Entry is free for students and those who are already members or attending the gala dinner in the evening.
David Lewis is Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Peace Studies. He has research interests in the areas of peacebuilding, security, political change and conflict, and has considerable field experience in Central Asia, the Caucasus and South Asia. His recent book The Temptations of Tyranny in Central Asia (Hurst/Columbia University Press, 2008) examined the impact of Western policy on the region in the aftermath of 9/11. Elmira Satybaldieva is a research fellow at the Karelian Institute, University of Eastern Finland. Her research focuses on state-society relations in Central Asia and the role of international actors in the region. Her current research projects investigate inter-ethnic relations, internal migration, economic development and border security in Kyrgyzstan. Medet Tiulegenov is Assistant Professor at International and Comparative Politics Department of American University of Central Asia (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan). His research and teaching interests include social movements, governance and public policy, civil society in transition countries. Ernest Zhanaev works at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mission in Osh, South Kyrgyzstan. Previously he worked on issues relating to micro-financing, foreign investment and capacity improvement of NGOs in civic advocacy. He also founded the Council of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists.