Osce handbook

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HANDBOOK


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WELCOME


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Dear Reader, Welcome to the OSCE Academy! This brochure presents the opportunities for professional development that we offer to those interested in the fields of regional and international political and economic analysis, conflict management, and journalism. Our activities range from graduate programmes and professional training to hosting conferences and research. All are designed to foster positive developments in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Through our teaching and research, we promote the values of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, values that are, in fact, universal: the supremacy of human rights, democracy based on non-discrimination and rule of law, and the use of economic resources for sustainable development. The OSCE Academy is unique in that we bring our faculty from all over the world to Bishkek, while also employing the best regional expertise for teaching and research. We wish you many useful discoveries at our Academy! Sincerely, OSCE Academy Team


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ABOUT BISHKEK

Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan with a population more than 1 million people, is located in the Chui valley at the northern foot of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too mountain range, at an altitude of 700-900 meters above sea level. One of the major cities of Central Asia and the largest city in Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek is a cosmopolitan center whose population represents over sixty nationalities. The main language of international communication is Russian.

BISHKEK

VISA

Holders of passports from most Central Asian and CIS nations are not required to obtain a visa to enter Kyrgyzstan. In addition to these countries, citizens of more than forty non-CIS countries (most European Union member states, the United States, Canada, Mexico, etc.) can stay in Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to sixty days. For more information please see: http://www.mfa.kg/

CLIMATE

Bishkek has a humid continental climate, averaging 322 clear days annually due to its mountainous location. Average daily temperatures range from -3째C (26.6 째F) in January to about 25째C (77.0 째F) during July.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Public transportation includes buses and public vans (marshrutka in Russian). Taxi services are widely available and inexpensive.

AIR TRANSIT

The city is served by Manas International Airport (IATA code FRU), located approximately 25 kilometres (16 miles) northwest of the city centre, and readily reachable by taxi. For more information please see: www.airport.kg


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WHY THE OSCE ACADEMY? ABOUT THE OSCE ACADEMY IN BISHKEK

The OSCE Academy was created in 2002 by a Memorandum of Understanding between the OSCE and the government of Kyrgyzstan. The OSCE Academy is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Central Asian Republics, Canada, Finland, Germany, and the United States, as well as the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, the OSCE Center in Bishkek, and the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre. Its Advisory Board includes representatives of the Geneva Center for Security Policy, the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and the University of St Andrews.

ABOUT THE OSCE

The OSCE is the world’s largest regional security organization. It offers a forum for political negotiations and decision-making in the fields of ealy warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, and puts the political will of the participating States into practice through its unique network of field missions. www.osce.org

QUALITY EDUCATION

The Academy employs highly qualified lecturers and trainers, as well as distinguished professors and experts from its partner institutions, such as NUPI (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs) and GCSP (Geneva Centre for Security Policy). Almost all full time and visiting faculty have internationally recognized Ph.D. degrees. This high level of qualification guarantees that students and trainees are exposed to the latest teaching methodologies and research trends.

REGIONAL FOCUS

The Academy deliberately balances the composition of students, researchers, and training participants according to region and gender, creating a dynamic mix of perspectives not seen in any other programme in Central Asia.

ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND INTEGRITY

The Academy remains a truly open forum for vigorous debate, open views, and broad perspectives on policies affecting the political, social, and economic issues of Central Asia. Critical thinking, objective reasoning, and truth-seeking are encouraged in every lesson and assignment. The Academy maintains strict standards of integrity in the selection and assessment of students and trainees, and when granting degrees/certificates.


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EXCELLENT CAREER TRACK

Engagement with the Academy provides a lasting investment in professional and personal advancement. The alumni of the OSCE Academy occupy high-ranking positions in governmental, international, non-profit and educational institutions throughout the region. Others are successful scholars, who have pursued their PhDs at such universities as the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, the University of York, Lee Kuan Yew University of Pubic Policy, the University of London, and the Moscow Institute of International Relations.

FULL SCHOLARSHIP FOR ALL ENROLLED STUDENTS AND TRAINEES

To maximize academic achievement, all students and trainees automatically receive a tuition fee waiver, housing allowance (non-Bishkek residents only), stipend for living expenses, and medical insurance (nonKyrgyz citizens only). The Academy also covers round trip travel expenses to Bishkek. Students with children are eligible for a child allowance. The facilities and resources available to our beneficiaries in the Academy are among the best offered by higher education institutions in the region. Students and trainees have unlimited access to the latest software, Internet, and a growing library of resources to support their coursework.

STUDY FACILITIES

The OSCE Academy supports its students and trainees by providing necessary academic facilities such as a library and computer services. The library collection contains hundreds of books and periodicals in addition to electronic resources. The OSCE Academy provides a high-quality IT infrastructure. A high-speed network connects personal computers, which are available for student and trainee use through an open access classroom.

STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

Being a student of the Academy means entering an extended family of bright and talented people from all over the region of Central Asia and beyond. It provides you with access to a fantastic range of activities and sources of support that help to ensure you get the most out of your time here. From the moment you accept a place at the OSCE Academy, you automatically become a member of the Students Association, governed and run by students elected from the student body. The Students Association aims to give students a say in the running of the academic program at the Academy, and also organizes events and meetings covering almost every social, cultural, academic, political and religious interest students can imagine. However, the Students Association depends on your initiative and engagement.


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MA PROGRAMMES The MA programmes of the OSCE Academy are designed for young people who wish to broaden their education and gain the knowledge and skills necessary for professional or academic careers in the areas of Politics, Security, International Relations, Conflict Prevention, International Development, Economics and Governance. The MA programmes of the OSCE Academy are supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and interested OSCE participating States. The Board of Trustees, and the Advisory Council of the OSCE Academy provide assistance in elaborating curricular details, conducting classes, organizing internships, and carrying out other activities. The language of instruction at the OSCE Academy is English. Teaching methodology and courses are delivered according to the most current international educational standards.


ma programmes

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MA IN POLITICS AND SECURITY PROGRAMME The Master of Arts in Politics and Security is a 16-month programme that offers an interdisciplinary curriculum in areas of politics, comprehensive security and international relations, with a focus on Central Asia. The programme offers the following full-term and modular courses:

MA IN ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

The Master of Arts in Economic Governance and Development is a 16-month programme that offers an interdisciplinary curriculum in economics, governance and development based on international standards of teaching. The programme offers the following full-term and modular courses:

FULL-TERM COURSES:

FULL-TERM COURSES:

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Political Institutions and Processes Contemporary Security Issues Central Asian Politics International Relations Political Theory Political Economy Current Affairs Lectures Academic Writing Research Methods MA Thesis Seminar

MODULAR COURSES: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The OSCE International Law and Human Rights Conflict Prevention Political Islam Energy Politics Sustainable Development Migration and Human Trafficking Nation and Nationalism Central Asia and Russia European Politics The USA Foreign Politics Central Asia and Middle East Political Violence and Terrorism China and Central Asia

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Macroeconomics Microeconomics Econometrics Economic Governance and Regulation International Financial Systems International Development Economy of Border Management and Transport Routs Economic Effects of Migration International and Regional Trade Arrangements Economic Law Regional Economic Development Project Management Research Methods and Research Design Academic Writing

MODULAR COURSES: • • • • • • •

The OSCE: Economic Development, Environment, and Comprehensive Security Economics and Regulation of the Energy Sector Good Governance in Central Asia Economics and Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Economics of Sustainable Development Industrial Policy Integrated Water Management


apply

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INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOP TIER STUDENTS

students automatically receive the following financial support:

Every year top GPA students of both master programmes internat one of the following partner organizations:

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OSCE Secretariat, Vienna (www.osce.org) High Commission on National Minorities (HCNM), the Hague (www.osce.org/hcnm) Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Oslo (www.english.nupi.no/) Geneva Centre for Security Policy, (GCSP), Geneva (www.gcsp.ch/)` PIR Centre, Moscow (www.pircenter.org/)

All expenses related to these internships, including round trip airfare, stipend, housing allowance, and medical insurance are covered by the Academy or partner institutions.

HOW TO APPLY? Applying for the OSCE Academy is easy! For more information visit our website:

www.osce-academy.net

FINANCIAL SUPPORT/SCHOLARSHIP The Academy’s MA programmes are extremely demanding and require full-time study. To maximize student achievement and pass rates, all admitted

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Full tuition fee waiver Housing allowance of 120 euros per month (Bishkek residents are not eligible) Stipend of 180 euros per month Medical insurance (Kyrgyz citizens are not eligible) Round trip travel expenses to Bishkek Child allowance - 15 euros per child per month

SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY: •

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Successful completion of a degree of higher education (BA, MA, MSc, Diploma) in a related academic field; Advanced level of English; Applicants should not be older than 32 years of age at the start of the programme; Citizenship restricted to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Mongolia. Students from other participating and partner OSCE States can be accepted for the programme on a limited basis.

The admissions period for the MA Programmes is from January to April. The academic year starts in September of each year.

For further information, please contact: +996 (312) 54-12-00, 54-32-00 or email: master@osce-academy.net All admissions decisions are made on the basis of selecting the most qualified candidates, taking into consideration regional and gender balance and age requirements.


alumni

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ALUMNI NETWORK The Alumni Network supports our graduates’ professional and academic careers through the following activities: •

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Organizing an alumni reunion every three years and chapter meetings annually Publishing alumni activities in the annual SalamAlum journal Hosting the Annual Alumni Conference on Central Asia: Security and Sustainable Development, the best papers of which are published by the OSCE Academy Arranging one-year fellowships at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) for two alumni a year in the Department of Russian and European Studies

Arranging for one alumnus/a per year to study at the Masters Programme of Advanced Studies in International and European Security through the GCSP European Scholarship for Central Asia Studies Organizing the Junior Public Officers Programme, through which selected alumni from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan intern at their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs for three months Providing two travel grants per year for alumni to participate at conferences worldwide

ALUMNI SURVEY 2015: • • •

71 % of Alumni live and work in Central Asia and Afghanistan 26 % of Alumni hold senior positions in their respective institutions of employment 10 Alumni teach at the University level and 19 Alumni are currently pursuing PhD

EMPLOYMENT BY SECTORS

Private sector

Education & Research institution Non-profit sector

19%

Public sector

10%

46%

17% 8%

International Organizations


professional trainings

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CENTRAL ASIAN SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY JOURNALISM – IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEUTSCHE WELLE AKADEMIE Language: Russian Participants: Journalists from Central Asia Length: 10 weeks This programme is designed for young journalists from Central Asia who want to be able to cover political, social and economic issues at a high professional level using the latest technologies of mass communication. The programme combines modules addressing print, radio, television and online journalism to help early-career journalists close the gap between their formal education and the expectations of their employers, and to give them a holistic concept of the profession, in which different media increasingly interact. PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS Language: Russian and English (different modules) Participants: Government experts from Central Asia and Afghanistan Length: several modules, 1 to 2 weeks each

PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS OSCE Academy conducts trainings for journalists and public policy and conflict management experts. Our focus is on practical skills, and we employ highly qualified trainers with vast experience in Central Asia and Afghanistan.

The purpose of this regional programme is to introduce government experts and public servants to the applied analysis of policy processes and to common analytical and research tools, enabling them to engage in more effective decision and policy-making. The focus has made on regulatory impact assessment. INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME ON CONFLICT-SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT Language: English Participants: Civil society and public servants from Central Asia and Afghanistan Length: 1 month (2 weeks) This Certificate Programme strengthens the professional capacity of experts from public and non-profit organizations within Central Asia and Afghanistan to design, implement and evaluate development projects in a conflict-sensitive manner. The Programme is based on case studies from the region, and the trainers have extensive regional experience.


Dialogue & research

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OSCE ACADEMY CENTRAL ASIA POLICY BRIEFS SERIES This occasional papers series deals with current issues of comprehensive security relevant for Central Asia. These include but are not limited to such themes as socioeconomic determinants of security, identity-based conflicts, political Islam, ethnopolitics, security organizations, bilateral relations, and the situation in Afghanistan and neighboring states. Central Asia Policy Briefs are intended to foster interaction among policy, expert and scholarly communities. THE ANNUAL SEMINAR ON CENTRAL ASIAN SECURITY This annual meeting of international experts provides a unique forum for representatives of Central Asian, European, Russian, and other policy and scholarly communities to exchange views on political developments in the region and the regional security policies of major stakeholders. The OSCE Academy organizes the seminar jointly with Geneva Centre for Security Policy, the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and the Near East-South Asia Strategic Studies Center (Washington D.C.) Discussion follows the Chatham House rules, and key findings are published annually as a volume of ÂŤGeneva Papers,Âť available on-line and in hardcopy upon request.

RESEARCH AND CONFERENCES The OSCE Academy is a forum for dialogue and networking among expert and policy communities. The Academy also publishes original policy research and runs several datagathering projects.

CADGAT The Central Asia Data-Gathering and Analysis Team is a joint research project of the OSCE Academy and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, launched in 2009. It aims to enhance the research capacity of regional social scientists and to foster trans-border cooperation in Central Asia. The data collected concern transportation networks in Central Asia, regional narcotics trade, hydroelectric dams, language, and gender. As part of the CADGAT project, the OSCE Academy also hosts a database of the 500 most prominent political personalities in Central Asia. Reports and data can be downloaded at http://www.osce-academy.net/en/cadgat/. ORAL HISTORY PROJECTS (TAJIKISTAN AND KYRGYZSTAN) The Oral History databases contain stories of the civil war in Tajikistan and experiences of transition in Kyrgyzstan, as told from the perspective of people directly affected by these historical events. The databases are open for use by the interested public.


donors & partners

DONORS AND PARTNERS The OSCE Academy would like to express gratitude to the following members of its Donor and Partner Community for their strong support and commitment!

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OSCE Academy 1A, Botanichesky pereulok 720044 Bishkek Kyrgyz Republic Tel: +996-312-541200 Fax: +996-312-542313 Internet: www.osce-academy.net E-mail: info@osce-academy.net


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