Exchange of knowledge and best practices

The Conference was held within the framework of the UNESCO’s project on Intercultural Dialogue in Central Asia (Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 11-13 June 2003) in co-operation with the UNESCO Almaty Cluster Office, the Tajik authorities and a financial support from Japan Funds in Trust Co-operation and the European Commission.

Its main purposes were to promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices, providing discussions, encouraging positive thinking regarding women's active role in building and nurturing a lasting intercultural dialogue and peace in Central Asia. It underlined the role of women in culture and sustainable development in a globalized world.

More than one hundred participants - scholars, intellectuals, leaders of NGO organizations and associations, journalists, diplomats, professors and students took an active part in the Conference and papers were delivered by twenty speakers from ten countries.

The Conference Declaration and Plan of Action were adopted and included the development of the Conference’s recommendations on maintaining dialogue between different women organizations through the creation of the Central Asian women’s cultural network and focusing in particular on women artists, artisans and journalists. The recommendations were also based on the use of new information and communication technologies.

UNESCO has supported the setting-up of the Central Asian cultural network with the following objectives:

• Serve as a forum for the women of Central Asia working in the area of culture, cultural education, arts and media in order to express and share their ideas and views on the issues of concern for them;
• Foster co-operation and exchanges among women's organizations.

As a practical follow-up to the Conference, an NGO Forum was held from 13 to 14 June 2003 with a joint effort of UNESCO, ACTED and Open Asia at ACTED Bactria’s Cultural Center in order to discuss the Recommendations of the Women Conference and the ways of its implementation.

The Proceedings of the Women Conference were published by the UNESCO Almaty Cluster Office.

Documents :

• Final program for speakers
• Declaration adopted by the International Conference