THE CENTRAL ASIAN WOMEN CULTURAL NETWORK
(DRAFT)

Young journalists, Radio Asia-Plus, Dushanbe

BACKGROUND
The idea of creation of the Central Asian women cultural network is an outcome of the International Conference The Role of Women in Intercultural Dialogue in Central Asia which will be held in Dushanbe (Tajikistan), on June 11-12, 2003 within the framework of the UNESCO project on Intercultural Dialogue in Central Asia.

OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of the Central Asian women cultural network are
· To serve as a forum for the women of the Central Asia working in the area of culture, cultural education, arts and media to express and share their ideas and views on the issues of the utmost concern for them;

· To foster cooperation and exchanges among women's organizations, focusing in particular on women artists, artisans and journalists

· To be a place where the women could find partners and resources necessary for implementation of their projects and, may be, development of joint projects

Map of Central Asia and Caucasus (click to enlarge)

 

POTENTIAL TOOLS

· (e)Newsletter describing the main actions of women NGO's in Central Asia· Development of the portal "Women in Intercultural Dialogue in Central Asia" to be hosted at UNESCO Almaty website, to be supported in Russian and English
Static part of the portal
- History/background
Dynamic part of the portal
- News, announcements
- Contacts/database
- Bulletin board forum / Virtual exhibitions/ Library of women's publications (articles, poetry and science fiction)
- Other

Ouighur Mother and Son, Almaty oblast, Kazakhstan

 

MAIN ISSUES AS FOCAL POINTS
· CULTURE, WOMEN AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL ASIA
The Challenges of Globalization: Protecting Cultural Diversity and Plural Identities
Cultural Policy for Development: Women in Cultural Policies
Knowledge Society: Culture and the New Media Technologies

· WOMEN IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE IN CENTRAL ASIA
Women's Initiatives and Contributions in Culture and Media
Women and Interreligious Dialogue
Women and a Culture of Peace

· BEST PRACTICES AND METHODOLOGIES

FOCAL CONTACTS IN THE CA COUNTRIES
To be elected at the conference