National conference on social partnership
Bishkek, February 14th 2008, Public Association Counterpart Sheriktesh will hold a National conference on social partnership in close cooperation with Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Bishkek.
Representatives of the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Apparatus of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, interested ministries and agencies, as well as representatives of business structures, trade unions, Mass Media and civil society representatives from all provinces of the country have been invited to participate in this event. A welcoming speech will be made by Mrs. T. Borombaeva, representative of the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mrs. G. Derbisheva, Deputy of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Results of public discussions on the theme of “Effective and Strong Collaboration between Government and Civil Society Organizations in Kyrgyzstan” are to be presented at the conference. Conference participants will discuss the reasons for successful cooperation between governmental institutions and civil society organizations, existing obstacles and barriers as well as possible solutions. Sessions will focus on the following themes: “Collaboration between governmental institutions and CSOs”, “Collaboration between governmental institutions and business structures”, “Collaboration between governmental institutions and trade unions”, “Collaboration between governmental institutions and mass media”, “Role of gender in the issues of social partnership.
During the conference a Social Partnership Development Strategy for the Kyrgyz Republic will be discussed, within the Country Development Strategy framework. In particular, there will be discussions on how state structures can assist civil society organizations through:
- active collaboration with social organizations
- discussions on social problems and solutions
- technical support
- social contracting
The National Conference on Social Partnership will be undertaken within the framework of the Aga Khan Development Network Civil Society Program in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Note:
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of private development agencies working to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in Central and South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. AKDN agencies work for the common good of all citizens, regardless of their gender, origin or religion. Its underlying impulse is the ethic of compassion for the vulnerable in society. Its annual budget for social and cultural development activities is US$320 million.
The overall goal of the AKDN Civil Society Program (CSP) is to ensure that over time there are a sufficient number of civil society organizations (CSOs) in quality, geographic distribution, and spectrum of activities so that “civil society,” as a component of society at large, has an unmistakable positive impact on the quality of life for significant segments of the national population. AKDN has provided $200,000 in grants to Kyrgyz CSOs during Phase II of the CSP which began in September 2007.