Comments on: Year of Social Protection in Uzbekistan http://registan.net/index.php/2006/12/08/year-of-social-protection-in-uzbekistan/ Central Asia News -- All Central Asia, All The Time Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:53:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: night_eulen http://registan.net/index.php/2006/12/08/year-of-social-protection-in-uzbekistan/comment-page-1/#comment-301510 night_eulen Sat, 09 Dec 2006 11:01:47 +0000 http://www.registan.net/index.php/2006/12/08/year-of-social-protection-in-uzbekistan/#comment-301510 Mr Karimov was quite late this year to announce the priority for the next year. For me it is interesting that the social topics seem to go into areas where a significant lack of services in Uzbekistan was identified. The situation in uzbekistan is very grim in terms of social and supportive services and there is not a chance for independent service providers to work. Beside this the country does not have sufficient facilities to support the sick, disabled and vulnerable groups. What do I want to say? It seems that the policy in the country is a step-by-step approach to identify and thus occupy topical areas to make it more difficult (an so unnecessary) for indepent bodies (as NGOs) to operate. In the next step a semi-independent body (like GONGOs - governmental NGOs) take over in a very strict way. There is an interesting aspect in the context. Although he talks about an evolutionatry path the activities in the social field are rather hectic and oriented along experiences from Western countries (Europe and - such a surprise - the US). Having a little knowledge of the social service situation in UZB I can say that new developments are all oriented along European approaches, which is not bad and could be done if there would be room to discuss and identify appropriate ways. The culture in social services, relevant ministries and other institutions is not able to cope with it. People are scared to talk about the truth (like that not all children go to school), people are threatened (as they don't agree with the important people) and always listen to what the superiors say. But if there is no discussion going on, how can the services ever meet the needs of vulnerbale groups? The problem in social services and protection in Uzbekistan is not a lack of knowledge and ideas, no the problem lies in the death of open and free debate, in the atmosphere of fear and Gleichschaltung as well as in a complete brai drain that forced the people who could work well out of the country. Mr Karimov was quite late this year to announce the priority for the next year. For me it is interesting that the social topics seem to go into areas where a significant lack of services in Uzbekistan was identified. The situation in uzbekistan is very grim in terms of social and supportive services and there is not a chance for independent service providers to work. Beside this the country does not have sufficient facilities to support the sick, disabled and vulnerable groups.

What do I want to say? It seems that the policy in the country is a step-by-step approach to identify and thus occupy topical areas to make it more difficult (an so unnecessary) for indepent bodies (as NGOs) to operate. In the next step a semi-independent body (like GONGOs – governmental NGOs) take over in a very strict way.

There is an interesting aspect in the context. Although he talks about an evolutionatry path the activities in the social field are rather hectic and oriented along experiences from Western countries (Europe and – such a surprise – the US). Having a little knowledge of the social service situation in UZB I can say that new developments are all oriented along European approaches, which is not bad and could be done if there would be room to discuss and identify appropriate ways.

The culture in social services, relevant ministries and other institutions is not able to cope with it. People are scared to talk about the truth (like that not all children go to school), people are threatened (as they don’t agree with the important people) and always listen to what the superiors say. But if there is no discussion going on, how can the services ever meet the needs of vulnerbale groups?

The problem in social services and protection in Uzbekistan is not a lack of knowledge and ideas, no the problem lies in the death of open and free debate, in the atmosphere of fear and Gleichschaltung as well as in a complete brai drain that forced the people who could work well out of the country.

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