CENTRAL ASIAN YOUTH UNION
By Muzaffardjon R. KHUDOIKULOV
"Central Asian Union: An Alternative to the Regional Challenges of the Century
And to the Diplomacy of the Silk Road"
In order to maintain the secular, democratic stability in Central Asia, it is necessary to unite the countries of the region. The way to unity will be long, and that is why we should learn from the example of the European Union. The European Union countries have come together for doing the best for the next generation of Europe. So, why do not we, the citizens of Central Asia, who have the dynamic power of a young population, come together, and try to make the lives of our peoples better? I believe that a state must exist for its people, not the people for their state. A government has to think of the citizens, but unfortunately the Central Asian governments, or rather, government officials, try to earn wealth as much as possible without caring for the normal people, who often are in great need. The Central Asian countries, each of them by itself, can not do anything on the global stage, but if they come together in one union, I believe that they can form one of the main players of the Eurasian region. The Central Asian states have everything to make their people and neighbours happy and to live in unison with one another.
The birth on new states is rarely easy. Independence for many of Spain's former South American colonies led in the early 19th century to long periods of one-man rule, a pattern later repeated in many new countries of Africa. Intercommunal violence marked India's emergence as an independent state, and Pakistan was torn by secessionist movements, one of which finally succeeded in forming Bangladesh. China's independence came only after years of military conflict. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 gave the world 15 new states, five of which lie at the heart of the Eurasian landmass, in Central Asia. Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan could all claim to be the bearers of noble traditions from the ancient past. But none was prepared for independence. Their very borders, the result of Soviet divide and conquer policies, all but assured a difficult transition to sovereignty. The economic system, laws, and political institutions they inherited from Soviet times proved equally incapable of meeting the new needs.
The population of Central Asia is 58 million, and 85 % of the people are under 35 years old. These five states, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, need each other on their way to development; in fact, they are dependent on each other. For example, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan control 80% of fresh water of the region, but Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have a lot of petrolium and natural gas. People can survive without petrolium and natural gas, but not without water. It is one of the reasons for coming together. The second is that they all have the same history, the same past, present and future. Only by understanding and cooperating the region can be made more prosperous than ever.
Soviet planners pointed all roads to Moscow, but the region can now look to all points of the compass for growth opportunities. The economic answer is clear: Regional cooperation is not an option for Central Asia. It is a necessity. Harnessing Central Asia's water and energy resources offers an opportunity for both regional cooperation and economic development. The key to economic and social renewal in Central Asia lies in expanding regional and continental trade. Basic education, a building block for sustainable development, is universal in the region. It is now generally understood that the most serious threats to Central Asia's security are regional in character and can therefore only be addressed regionally. With its fertile land, Central Asia is a major world cotton producer. More confident in their independence, the states of Central Asia are beginning to shift from nation building to economic development. Regional cooperation points the way to prosperity.
Central Asia is facing huge challenges, but has little social capital to make needed changes. A long-term approach is necessary for building awareness, popular demand and political will among citizens of Central Asian countries. The goal is to expand opportunities for normal people. Conflict is a primary concern, after which follow corruption, gender bias and alienated youth. Of all of the regions of the former Soviet Union, Central Asia is potentially one of the most explosive…
Many people in the former Communist countries find the new conditions unsatisfactory, even by the low standards of Communist times. The new strategy, introduced by the initiators of Central Asian Union, is more realistic about what is possible and what is required to make a change. It is more selective about the assistance that would be provided to each country — less centered on technical practice and more devoted to improving public knowledge and changing attitudes and values. And finally, the new strategy emphasizes a long-term perspective: stressing the fundamental issues, focusing on basic sociopolitical concerns, and designing ways to build relationships and partnerships between these new nations, their citizens and the world community. The need to build a foundation for across-the-board reform, in health, democracy, and enterprise development programs, is fundamental. The quality of government expenditures is typically more important than quantity.
In Central Asia, organized crime and official corruption are serious and growing problems. When national policies are in gridlock due to conflicting interests, it might be easier to reach a consensus for reform within a smaller locality. One of the greatest challenges in Central Asia is to increase knowledge and to make information more available. There is a critical need to continue supporting independent sources of information — such as libraries, resource centers and the media — and develop alternative information sources and institutions, in order to foster a plurality of voices. However, the greatest insufficiency may be in democracy-building, where citizens are unaware of their rights and options. The need for this is dire across the board. Business people lack information on markets, resources and the commercial legal framework. This makes them easy prey for corrupt officials. Families lack the information they need to make changes in their lifestyles and protect their environment and health. Bringing about change in Central Asia will be a long-term task. It is important to make investments in critical areas such as economic and civic education, especially for youth. A society built around information tends to produce more of the two things people value most in a modern democracy — freedom and equality.
To support independent sources of information — such as libraries, resource centers and the media — and develop alternative information sources and institutions, in order to foster a plurality of voices. While the greatest need may be in democracy-building, where citizens are unaware of their rights and options, the need is dire across the board.
We, people of the world, have to understand that we live on the same planet. It is our home, the place where six billion people must live in peace and love. If a crisis occurs in some part of the world, it automatically continues on the other side of the world, and the problem grows larger and larger. If this problem is not solved on time, sooner or later it will affect all of us. That is why everyone has to do his or her best in order to solve this problem. And the only way to solve such problems in the most effective way is worldwide cooperation. If we don't change, reform our system and implement a program aimed at bringing more wealth and democracy to our people, someone from outside will formulate a program for us. We believe that democracy must come from within not from the outside. Imposing democracy from the outside has never worked and never will. I think that Central Asian Youth Union is a good way of building consensus between the youth of the Central Asia. As they say, the students of today are tomorrow's leaders, at the beginning it may look difficult, and I believe it is possible. And everything begins with believe…
* Chairman of “Vatan” Club (2001-2005) (the club of Tajikistan students studying abroad in Turkey and Cyprus), founder and the chief of “Patriot” newsmagazine and Universe News Agency , that has been published since 2000. E-mail: muzaffar@lawyer.com
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