© CABAR - Central Asian Bureau for Analytical Reporting
Please make active links to the source, when using materials from this website

About Us

IWPR CENTRAL ASIA

IWPR Central Asia is the representative of The Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) in the Central Asian region. It has a regional office in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and additional country offices in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Globally, IWPR works to support local reporters, citizen journalists, and civil society activists in countries that are undergoing conflict, crisis, and transition. It focuses on strengthening the capacity of local voices to speak out and address obstacles to peace, democracy, and the freedom of speech and association.

In Central Asia, IWPR has been operating various programs since 1999. These programs aim to promote independent media, provide training and support to journalists, encourage dialogue and debate, and foster a culture of open and informed discussion on important issues within the region. IWPR actively contributes to promoting transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights in Central Asia through its activities and initiatives.

CABAR.ASIA

CABAR.asia (Central Asian Bureau for Analytical Reporting) is a regional platform of IWPR in Central Asia. It was established in 2014 and is recognised as the only platform of its kind that covers a regional approach and provides comprehensive analytics on broad social processes in the countries of the Central Asian region.

CABAR.asia serves as a valuable resource for in-depth analysis, research, and reporting on various social, political, and economic issues in Central Asia. By offering a regional perspective, it enables a better understanding of the interconnected dynamics within the countries of the region. The platform contributes to facilitating informed discussions and promoting a more nuanced understanding of the social and political landscape in Central Asia. CABAR.asia operates based on international journalism standards, which consist of observing objectivity, impartiality, balance, ethics, and the “do no harm” principle.

MISSION

Its mission is to foster greater social cohesion and stability in the region by upholding, advocating for as well as respecting human rights, democratic values, and principles. It is dedicated to promoting trust and reliability in the independent media and democratic institutions in addition to actively supporting cross-border cooperation for the sake of peace and stability. By providing a platform for critical voices and supporting informed discussions, CABAR.asia strives to contribute to a region where social cohesion, stability, and a strong commitment to democratic principles flourish.

PILLARS

CABAR.asia’s work is based on the following five fundamental pillars:

Applied Research and ML/AI
CABAR.asia conducts applied research on media consumption, the situation of civil society organisations (CSOs) and media in Central Asia to provide the basis for informed decision-making and policy recommendations. The platform recognises the transformative potential of ML/AI technologies and leverages them to enhance their research capabilities and analysis. By combining research expertise with advanced technologies, CABAR.asia contributes to a data-driven approach that enhances understanding and drives positive change in the region. More details may be found both here and here.

Capacity Building
CABAR.asia offers a diverse range of online and offline training opportunities, empowering novice analysts, journalists, bloggers, and content creators to enhance their skills and reach their full potential. This is achieved through various ways, both offline and online. One avenue for training is CABAR.asia Mediaschool (school.cabar.asia), which provides a repository of valuable resources, including video tutorials and systematic courses, which participants can access at their own pace. These resources offer step-by-step guidance, enabling learners to grasp concepts effectively and apply them practically. The authors of these materials are prominent experts and professionals in their field both from Central Asian countries and Eastern Europe. More details can be found here.

Voice
CABAR.asia conducts regular analyses of diverse problems and trends across the Central Asian region. These materials cover topical issues that interest a broad audience, as well as specific trends and narrow-profile topics that closely inform readers within individual Central Asian countries and the region as a whole. The content includes analytical articles, journalistic materials, expert comments, interviews, data-driven reports, journalistic investigations, long reads, and extended analytical publications such as policy briefs. CABAR.asia’s authors range from seasoned experts and accomplished journalists to young, ambitious experts with a focus on analytics and analytical journalism. This diverse group ensures comprehensive insights into the region’s challenges and developments. More details can be found here.

Engagement and Network
CABAR.asia conducts dialogue events at the country, regional, and international levels, fostering engagement and facilitating discussions on important topics. Additionally, the platform works to strengthen professional ties between specialists in the region, creating a network for collaboration and knowledge sharing. More details may be found here.

Policy Formulation
CABAR.asia engages in detailed studies of significant trends and issues that require solutions. Through its research and analysis, the platform contributes to the formulation of policies that address key challenges and promote positive change in the Central Asian region. More details can be found  here.

SUB-PLATFORMS

CABAR.asia Media School is a regional online learning sub-platform of CABAR.asia. The platform offers a diverse range of educational resources, including video lessons, methodological articles, and online courses in media, communications, and expert analytics. Users can access materials in the local languages of the five Central Asian countries: Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Turkmen, and Uzbek. The platform also provides electronic versions of IWPR’s manuals and practical guides, as well as the latest media studies conducted in Central Asian countries. Upon completion of online courses, users receive an official certificate issued by IWPR Central Asia and CABAR.asia.

Belief.cabar.asia is a sub-website of CABAR.asia. It focuses on strengthening interfaith dialogue, promoting tolerance and mutual respect in Central Asian countries. It serves as a universal platform for individuals interested in religion and sharing these values. The website publishes analytical materials from journalists, experts, and prominent figures, covering various pressing issues in the region’s religious sphere. Additionally, it offers a collection of resource materials such as legislation, literature, manuals, and video lectures, some of which are created by IWPR Central Asia. This valuable repository is beneficial for journalists, experts, analysts, religious figures, and a broader audience interested in religion within the Central Asian region.

Go Viral Festival & Network is a regional initiative inspired by the festival SXSW in Austin, Texas, which helps to establish and maintain links between regional opinion leaders, innovators and creative people to exchange their ideas and help achieve their goals, as well as address the most pressing issues for them and their communities. Since October 2021, IWPR Central Asia has been implementing this project, which aims to build the Central Asian Go Viral community through festivals, mentoring programs #GoMentor, and a range of events, including informal get-togethers known as #GoNight. Go Viral serves as a platform for beginners, seasoned experts, and professionals to generate innovative ideas, collaborate, and as well as promote mentoring and experience sharing among participants. The project is funded by a grant from the US State Department.