CAREC Institute Director Meets with CTTN Members in Tajikistan

Mr. Kabir Jurazoda, Director of the CAREC Institute, held a series of meetings with members of the CAREC Think Tank Network (CTTN) from Tajikistan from February 25 to March 2, 2023. The CAREC Institute supports CTTN in bridging the gap between knowledge and policy and encouraging regional collaboration between national and regional think tanks to produce valuable policy analysis for addressing social and economic challenges. The meetings aimed to discuss current issues of mutual interest and explore opportunities for further cooperation within the CAREC think tank network.

At these meetings, the Director of the CAREC Institute briefed on the activities of the CTTN, including the Annual CAREC Think Tank Development Forum (first launched in 2016), the CTTN Research Grants Program (first launched in 2019), the CTTN Dialogue Series (first launched in 2021) and CTTN Blog (expected in 2023). These events serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas and knowledge for CAREC national and regional think tanks.

On February 25, Director Kabir Jurazoda met with Ms.Gulnora Beknazarova, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Z-Analytics Group, a regional think tank for sociological research. The parties discussed the possibilities of expanding research within the framework of CTTN. Ms. Beknazarova proposed to jointly promote a research program for young researchers from the CAREC region, developing their research skills through capacity building trainings and joint research projects. Both sides agreed to work together on a concept note for this new initiative.

On February 27, Director Kabir Jurazoda met with Mr. Rustam Babajanov, Deputy Director of the Analytical Center “NAVO”. Mr. Rustam Babajanov emphasized the importance of cooperation within the CTTN and proposed to strengthen the coordination between think tanks by establishing the national resource center in Tajikistan that can be a part of the CTTN to share resources and exchange information. The resource center can promote the publication of members of CTTN and the CAREC Institute through different regional and national knowledge platforms.

On March 21, Director Kabir Jurazoda met with Dr. Sharif Rahimzoda, Director of the Institute of Economics and Demography of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan. During the meeting, both sides discussed the upcoming activities of the CTTN in 2023. Dr. Sharif Rahimzoda suggested to promote greater information exchange through various social networks. He also suggested to consider the possibility of developing and publishing CTTN analytical materials in the form of infographics that quickly and easily communicate information to a wider audience.

On March 2, Director Kabir Jurazoda met with Mr. Khayol Boboev, Vice-Rector for International Relations of the Technological University of Tajikistan. Mr. Boboev expressed the readiness of the University to continue cooperation within the CTTN framework. He recommended the CAREC Institute to expand its partnership with the ISSN International Center so that the publications of the CAREC Institute can be widely known. During the visit, a tour of the university was organized. The University has equipped its classrooms with all the necessary modern equipment that can be used for CTTN events. Mr. Boboev invited the CAREC Institute to organize CTTN online events for young researchers as part of future joint projects.