1 June 2010
The American University of Central Asia’s (AUCA) Central Asia Migration Research Network recently published its100th e-news digest. The Bishkek-based university launched the weekly news digest in 2008 to promote exchange of news and research on migration in the region.
Aida Alymbaeva, Director of AUCA’s Social Research Center (SRC), describes the network as "primarily an electronic venue for exchange of ideas and info on current and future research projects, conferences and journals among its members.”In 2009 AUCA began a partnership with the UNESCO Almaty office to expand the reach of the migration network.
The cooperation has been fruitful; the e-news digest now has 300 subscribers, double the number it had just one year ago. Subscribers come from 30 countries and range from government ministers to students. The news digest offers content in Russian and in English. A quarterly newsletter on migration issues was also launched as part of the UNESCO partnership.
UNESCO Almaty Social and Human Sciences Programme Specialist Laura Kennedy underscored the uniqueness of AUCA’s Migration Research Network. “It’s the only resource of its kind in the sub region: a user-friendly service for receiving migration information in Central Asia. We immediately saw enormous potential in working with AUCA to disseminate migration information, both within Central Asia and also around the world.”
In 2010-11 AUCA will continue expansion of the migration research network. Plans include an improved user interface, additional English-language content and an expanded research database. AUCA SRC continues to conduct research on migration issues and host lectures and from its university campus in Bishkek.
Ms. Alymbaeva is hopeful that AUCA’s partnership with UNESCO will continue to influence a positive and practical dialogue, “…helping the expert community to increase its knowledge about migration processes in the region and to influence the adoption of effective policies by countries in the region.”
Subscribe to the Central Asia Migration News Digest: src.mrt(at)mail(dot)auca(dot)kg
Permanent link: http://en.unesco.kz/american-university-of-central-asia-s-migration-e-news-digest-marks-100th-issue