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:
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.