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ARF discusses Central Asian Resilience to COVID-19 Crises at the International Online Event

5 June, 2020

On 4 June Associate Research Fellow of the OSCE Academy Dr. Asel Doolotkeldieva participated in the online roundtable “From COVID on: Testing Resilience in Central Asia” organized by the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University. Together with experts from University of Glasgow, KIMEP University, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, University of Toronto, and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Dr. Doolotkeldieva discussed individual and business responses during the lock-down in Central Asian countries in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Doolotkeldieva spoke about the situation in Kyrgyzstan and underlined the lack of scientific knowledge about Covid-19 available to people as a core resource needed for learning and adaptation to shock situations. However, Dr. Doolotkeldieva highlighted other types of knowledge that have been informing behavioral change among individuals and businesses in response to the lockdown and, possibly, preparedness for future. She discussed the diversification and informalization of economic activities and income among individuals and households like resuming dachas and home gardens in order to grow a local produce in the face of market fluctuations; borrowing groceries in local shops and using barter systems against the cash shortages. In diversifying their subsistence, people referred to their painful experiences of transition in the 90’s and finding resilience in informal activities. Another type of knowledge was observable among businesses that employed ‘new’ business practices under Islamic ethics. Large companies referred to Islamic norms of solidarity, morality and charity in maintaining jobs and salaries at current levels. Another important point raised was the social mobility, which comprised entrepreneurs, charity organizations, ordinary citizens and volunteers, whose work was directed at supporting vulnerable groups and the health system. In her conclusion, Dr. Doolotkeldieva however asked whether these strategies which emerged with the lockdown are mere temporary solutions or can point to the further steps of resilience such as adaptation and transformation.

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