The Leadership Academy for Development in Central Asia program began in Almaty on August 21. This is a five-day program for a selected group of middle and senior civil servants, as well as leaders of local business and civil society, which takes place within the walls of Almaty Management University. AlmaU has become a partner and a university that hosts such an important event for Central Asia. The program began with a lecture “Fundamentals for solving Public Policy problems” by Francis Fukuyama.
Francis Fukuyama is an honorary professor of political science, a world thinker, author of fundamental research works such as “The End of History and the Last Man”, “Trust”, “Identity”. Back in 2021, the head of state Tokayev and Fukuyama discussed the prospects for the evolution of the geopolitical order in the post-crisis period. 2 years later, the professor visits Kazakhstan for the first time.
35 Central Asian students are also waiting for lectures and case studies from Eric Jensen, Mary Hilderbrand, Erica Hontz. In general, the Academy of Leadership for Development (LAD) trains government officials and business leaders from developing countries to help the private sector become a constructive force for economic growth and development. He teaches how to be effective reform leaders by promoting sound public policy in difficult and contradictory conditions.
“The Stanford University School of Democracy and Law of Application has brought a unique case model from real cases on solving public policy problems. In fact, the uniqueness lies in the fact that this is not just a written recipe for solving problems, which is found in government and international strategies. An open case is presented here and participants from our region, representatives of the government, the private sector, and civil society jointly discuss and come to some kind of solution, compromise, and offer specific recommendations. Thus, this case, this program stimulates the process of solving real problems through a dialogue between business, government, civil society and academic researchers. It’s like a fusion of all sectors from all countries”,- said Sobir Kurbanov, representative of the co–organizers of the Center for International Private Entrepreneurship (CIPE).
Along with the aforementioned center and AlmaU, the course was co-organized by such organizations as the Stanford University Center for Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL), Central Asian Political Studies (CAPS Unlock).
Danial Saari, a participant of the program, director of the Center for Political Studies at the AlmaU School of Politics and Law, shared his impressions after the first day: “For me, the opportunity to study with such famous and experienced scientists as Francis Fukuyama and Mary Hildebrandt is truly inspiring. Their in-depth knowledge and experience in the field of political science and development provide valuable information about the challenges and opportunities faced by many countries.
The classes are clearly structured, combining theoretical concepts with practical examples, and interactive group exercises. The focus of the group work is mainly on evidence-based decision-making and the use of data for informed policy development, which, after all, is particularly valuable.”
Ulan Kairbekov, a participant of the program, CEO of OLX Kazakhstan, told what attracted him to this course: “The program provides a good opportunity to master advanced methods of developing public policies from professors of leading American universities. I am particularly attracted to the aspect of studying the role of business in the process of forming new reforms. It is important that the training in this program is based on the analysis of practical cases (case studies) of reforms from various countries, as well as on the use of successful experiences as benchmarks. I think that the program will be useful for the countries of Central Asia, given the high activity in carrying out reforms in our countries and their often insufficient effectiveness.”
Mary Hilderbrand, a member of the teaching team at the Academy for Leadership Development, noted that they are not here to offer solutions to problems, but to help participants be more effective in solving political issues: “We hope that participants will gain an understanding of the problems that they can use in their own context, and then the networks created Based on this, they will continue to create something more than just this workshop. We have conducted similar programs all over the world: in Latin America, in Africa, in the Balkans, in Eastern Europe, in Southeast Asia.”