June 12, 2008
Politics:
Event Dwells on Role of Political Parties in Shaping Civil Society
Economics:
Forum discusses issues of education for Uzbek business community
Int. Telecommunication Union Launches Forum in Tashkent
Tashkent to host "BeautyExpo Uzbekistan 2008" exhibition in late July
Society:
President of Uzbekistan expresses condolences on death of Chingiz Aitmatov
Tashkent hosts international seminar on mass media freedom
‘Human Rights – Highest Value’ Book Expo Launched in Tashkent
Theater & Cinema Artist, Painter Exhibits Works in Town
Rhythmic Gymnastics & Choreography Contest Ends in Tashkent
POLICY
EVENT DWELLS ON ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN SHAPING CIVIL SOCIETY
The Civil Society Studies Institute hosted the roundtable on the role of political parties in establishing the civil society. The event was organized alongside with the Regional office of Konrad Adenauer Fund of Germany, according to Jahon Information Agency.
The lawmakers of Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, members of political parties, local and foreign experts, as well as mass media are reported to have participated at the roundtable.
The delegates to the event have said that the role and activity of existing political parties in Uzbekistan are dynamically growing. The vivid confirmation of it is the work of the Movement of entrepreneurs and businesspeople – the Liberal-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, the People’s-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Adolat Social-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan and Milliy tiklanish Democratic Party of Uzbekistan.
The German experts told participants of the roundtable about the system of interaction of lower and upper chambers of German parliament, modern development and further improvement of parliamentary activity, as well as German lawmaking experience. In particular, Joachim Herster, a member of the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union, spoke of the main mechanisms and stages of work of political parties with their constituencies, as well as operations of civil society institutes in Germany.
The German experts highly assessed the comprehensive experience of Uzbekistan in the area of state and society building. In particular, they have said that establishment of important legal bases in Uzbekistan which meet the international standards allowed for new opportunities to be enjoyed by political parties to work actively, enhance their role, authority, positions, and expand their powers.
ECONOMY
FORUM DISCUSSES ISSUES OF EDUCATION FOR UZBEK BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Business forum within the framework of Expert Councils on "Small and private business development" and "Improving the system of private sector human resources development" of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan on the "Problems and perspectives of preparing skilled workers by VET sector for business community of Uzbekistan" was held in Tashkent on June 11.
The event was organized by the UNDP Project "Business Forum of Uzbekistan", the Tashkent Office of the British Council and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Uzreport Business Information Portal reported.
Improving education system has been identified as one of the priority directions of reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan. In 1997 the government of Uzbekistan adopted the Law "On education", which introduces new education system 4-5-3. This system consists of: (i) elementary education (1-4 classes) and general secondary education (5-9 classes), (ii) secondary education or secondary-special and professional education (10-12 classes), and (iii) higher and post-graduate education.
Particularly, secondary special and professional education (SSPE) is becoming an important stage in the education system of Uzbekistan. SSPE aims on providing young generation of the country with professional skills, which should help them to find a job right after finishing the education. Moreover, considering the increasing volumes of industry and products being manufactured domestically, then it is obvious that in the labour market of Uzbekistan graduates of SSPE establishments will be highly demanded.
On the other hand, the importance of the business forum was caused by the fact that employers are not satisfied with the quality of the SSPE graduates, the need for sharing ideas on how to bridge the gap between the business and schools in the country, and the necessity for discussing the prospects of organizing belter quality SSPE in Uzbekistan.
The British Council in Uzbekistan has invited two British experts in the field of developing vocational education and training (VET). They made two presentations on the topics of "Role and importance of VET within the British and other countries' educational system" and "Recommendations on increasing the effectiveness of secondary special and professional education system in Uzbekistan".
Presentations were also made by the representatives of Center for secondary special and professional education, local company-employer, and the UNDP Project "Business Forum of Uzbekistan".
The business forum was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Education, Ministry of Public Education, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, public organizations, a number of IFIs, and heads of SSPE establishments and private companies-employers, including training centres.
Participants exchanged views and presented specific recommendations that caused a lively discussion. The outcomes and conclusions of the forum should enable interested parties in development of SSPE in Uzbekistan to consolidate their further efforts in training demanded specialists for the labour market of the country.
INT. TELECOMMUNICATION UNION LAUNCHES FORUM IN TASHKENT
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched the regional forum in Tashkent on the topic “Decreasing the breach in the area of standardization of information and communication technologies in developing countries”.
The event involves the CIS countries, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Baltic States, Jahon Information Agency quoting local news agencies.
The regional preparatory meeting to the World Assembly on Standardizing the Telecommunications of ITU – 2008 (WAST-08) for the CIS countries is also due as a part of the forum.
Over 50 experts from the CIS countries, CEE and the Baltic States as well as the heads of ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau and Executive Committee of Regional commonwealth in communications are participating at the forum, according to the reports.
Regional forum is held for the ministries and national regulatory bodies in ICT, operators and telecommunication service providers to discuss and exchange experiences on urgent issues in the ICT standardization and closely learn about the ITU activity in this direction.
Those who took a floor at the forum spoke of the ways and tools of consolidating the cooperation in standardization, security and the ICT regulation, expanding the participation of regional representatives in this work. They have also discussed the trends of development and scenarios of transition onto a next generation network, technology of a broadband wireless access and their introduction in fixed networks, international standards in the area of radio communication, and other issues.
Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Director-General of Uzbekistan Agency for Communication and Information Abdulla Aripov is reported to have spoken at the opening of the forum.
TASHKENT TO HOST "BEAUTYEXPO UZBEKISTAN 2008" EXHIBITION IN LATE JULY
TNT Products, Inc will organize the 4th International Specialized Exhibition of beauty industry "BeautyExpo Uzbekistan 2008" at InterContinental Tashkent hotel on 26-28 of July 2008.
The exhibition will be held under support of the Association of barbers (hairdressers) and cosmetologists of Uzbekistan, Society of plastic and reconstructive surgeons and Embassy of Beauty Center, Uzreport Business Information Portal reported.
Subjects of the exhibition are: Decorative cosmetics, Professional cosmetics, Perfume and aroma therapy, Hygienic means and toiletry, Weight correction medications, biologically active additives, Accessories and jewelry, equipment and materials for plastic surgery, Instruments and materials for barbers and cosmetologists, equipment and materials for tattoo, permanent make-up and piercing, Beauty saloons, Spa saloons and aesthetic medicine clinics, raw materials and packaging materials.
More than 45 companies from 15 countries of the world – Bulgaria, Great Britain, Germany, Israel, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, USA, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, France and Switzerland will participate in the coming exhibition.
The 3rd International conference on cosmetology and aesthetic medicine and the 2nd Open championship of hairmaking art, decorative cosmetics and nail design will be held in framework of exhibition.
Organizer of the exhibition TNT Productions, Inc (USA) is specialized on exhibition and conference management. During past 20 years this company organized more than 200 specialized events almost in all big cities in USA. Since 1987 TNT Productions, Inc has organized more than 100 specialized exhibitions in CIS states. Among them are exhibitions in Russia (Novosibirsk, Ekaterinburg), Kazakhstan (Almaty), Uzbekistan (Tashkent), Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek), Armenia (Yerevan) and Georgia (Tbilisi).
SOCIETY
PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON DEATH OF CHINGIZ AITMATOV
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov sent a letter to Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev on 11 June, in which he expressed condolences on the passing away of the famous writer Chingiz Aitmatov.
“With deep sorrow I accepted the news of the heavy loss in connection with the death of the prominent writer, thinker and sociopolitical figure Chingiz Aitmatov,” Islam Karimov wrote.
“Reflecting the reality in artistic images, deeply affecting our feelings, Chingiz Aitmatov with his works made a great contribution to the world literature,” the head of the state said.
“Chingiz Aitmatov has been and will remain close to the Uzbek people, he will live forever in our memories as a symbol of selfless and dedicated service to his Motherland,” the President of Uzbekistan stressed.
TASHKENT HOSTS INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON MASS MEDIA FREEDOM
A two-day international seminar "Freedom of mass media in modern democratic society" organized on the initiative of Civil Society Institute jointly with Fund of Regional Policy and National Human Rights Centre of Uzbekistan was held on 9-10 June in Tashkent.
Journalists and experts from 18 countries including Great Britain, Germany, Egypt, Israel, Indonesia, China, Kuwait, Malaysia, Poland, Korean Republic, Russia, USA, Turkey, Ukraine, France, Japan, representatives of diplomatic corps and international organizations accredited in Uzbekistan participated in the meeting.
"This seminar is evidence that Uzbekistan follows the way of democratization and liberalization of society, government of state makes all efforts for eliminating barriers impeding free development of mass media. Organization of seminar is very timely and actual for all region," Miklos Haraszti, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media said in his opening speech.
He considers that no country in the world can achieve success at once in democratization and liberalization, giving freedom to mass media and journalists. "We understand that these changes are maid gradually: it requires certain period of time," Haraszti noted.
He noted that OSCE plans to organize a number of large events this year dedicated to freedom of speech and mass media. "I think this seminar will be good beginning for other events on open discussion of problems concerning mass media freedom," OSCE Representative emphasized.
Sidhart Saksena, Chairman of Cambridge Forum, noted: "Uzbekistan has powerful legal basis, relying on which possible to achieve considerable results in mass media field and establishment of democratic standards. Every country, including Uzbekistan must follow their own strict policy without falling under external influence with their "loud democratic models". In this aspect Uzbekistan's chosen proper strategy of gradual realization of reforms on establishing effective civil society that further will manage mass media and certainly improve level of justice sense, legal culture of country population".
Lee Kyong Sik, President-editor of The Korea Post journal noted in his address that before seminar he managed to familiarize with work of one private TV Company in Samarkand. As per his appraisal functioning of such station is convincing argument of development of private sector in telecommunications sphere in Uzbekistan, which is evident from modern approaches applied in management of regional TV station and enabling channel to achieve commercial profitability and financial independence.
Currently 1,031 media outlets operate in Uzbekistan one third of which are established by private and non-governmental structures without state interference. Mass media share established with participation of state capital makes up 66%, 17% of them were established jointly with private and non-governmental investors.
‘HUMAN RIGHTS – HIGHEST VALUE’ BOOK EXPO LAUNCHED IN TASHKENT
This week the “Human rights are the highest value” book exhibition was launched at the Youth Information Center of the Alisher Navoi National Library of Uzbekistan, according to Jahon Information Agency.
It was organized alongside with the Ministry of Justice as a part of events set in the Decree of President Islam Karimov of May 1, 2008 “On the Action Program dedicated to the 60th anniversary of adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”.
At the opening of exhibition the participants noted that the rights and interests of citizens are the most priority values in the development of society in Uzbekistan which has chosen the path of establishing the democratic law-governed state and strong civil society.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights became the first international legal document which Uzbekistan joined since it has gained its independence. Its provisions are reflected in the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, national legislative acts which provide for a reliable protection of political, economic, social, cultural rights and freedoms of person.
The scientific publications, books, magazines and brochures were exhibited at such sections of exhibition as “Theory of human rights”, “Humaneness and human rights”, “Child rights”, and “Foreign publications on human rights”. Such literature is very important in terms of shedding light into the essence and significance of the Universal Declaration in protecting the rights of the world peoples while promoting the legal awareness of the people, and especially, the youth.
The exhibition shall be held nationwide, according to the newspaper.
THEATER & CINEMA ARTIST, PAINTER EXHIBITS WORKS IN TOWN
The art exhibition dedicated to the works of the artist of theater and cinema Yusuf Guseinov took off at the Center of National Arts, Jahon Information Agency quoting Uzbekistan National News Agency website.
It was organized in cooperation of the Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Fund with Azerbaijan Embassy to Tashkent, according to the report.
The Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Fund is one of the organizations which effectively propagates the creation of people who for over the span of many years worked honestly and selflessly in the sphere of painting, music, theater and cinema. Fund regularly holds the remembrance soirees, exhibitions, concerts and meetings dedicated to their lives and activities.
While as an artist of theater and cinema Yusuf Guseinov took a great interest in painting, as well. He took part in making decorations for more than 20 motion pictures and theatrical plays. He has grasped the secrets of his beloved art at secondary special and higher educational establishments and then worked at the film studios and theater groups of the country.
At the exhibition the visitors may learn about many paintings of the artist, the report has also said.
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS & CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST ENDS IN TASHKENT
The international competition on rhythmic gymnastics and choreography among children and juniors ended at the “Universal” Sports Palace in Tashkent, Jahon Information Agency reported.
The Fund for Development of Children’s Sports at the Ministry of Public Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Fund and Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation of Uzbekistan organized the contest.
Shaping in the youth the strife to a healthy way of life, providing for a correct and substantial leisure-time and development the children’s sports has been determined as among the important directions in the Year of Youth State program. Various ministries and departments, agencies and public organizations are making a worthy contribution to implementation of those objectives.
The construction of children’s sports complexes is underway nationwide. The schoolchildren, in particular, the girls are being actively attracted to sports. At the same time, various schoolchildren sports games, tournaments and contests are constantly being held.
The main goal of these international events which are considered to be one of the largest joint projects of the aforementioned funds is to shape positive qualities in children, as well as discover and comprehensively encourage the prospective sports children. The girls from Russia and Kazakhstan participated at the contest that lasted for four days alongside with the Uzbek gymnasts.