On May 17, 2019, the University of Central Asia’s Civil Society Initiative held a Regional Civil Society Conference “New Pathways to Development."

The participants discussed how the civil society sector could help a long term sustainable growth in the coming years. The conference was attended by experts, practitioners, academics, and other stakeholders from the private and public sectors.

It was the first conference on this topic in Kyrgyzstan, and provided a platform for experts and policymakers to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices on all aspects of civil society.

It also provided insights into:

• Latest trends and dynamics in civil society;

• A policy environment that can best maximize the potential for CS growth;

• Education, training, and skills required alongside the deployment of digital technologies;

• Local development benefits linked to civil society in rural areas, including the empowerment of local communities and women.