OPS 39. Growing Civil Society in Central Asia

In December 2001 INTRAC’s Tenth Anniversary conference in Oxford, set out to evaluate and appraise the different approaches adopted to supporting, building and reinforcing civil society. Within this conference there was a clear representation of civil society organisations from across Central Asia was presented as a model of civil society development that, whilst may not be replicable in other areas of the world certainly, had gained some valuable lessons learned that could be shared internationally.

The in-depth and stimulating discussions provided much important reflection for INTRAC as it looks ahead to the next ten years. INTRAC will continue to engage in this debate and will also take forward the suggestion of developing case studies of civil society strengthening in order to identify appropraite roles, responsibilities and mechanisms at different levels. To take these ideas and suggestions to the next stage, INTRAC will provide a summary of Alan Fowler’s new civil society and present three additional papers.