Russia and Central Asia: Even Greater Reforms are Needed (Subregion Russia and Central Asia)

Contradictions and Opportunities

Russia is not only the world largest country in terms of area, but also a key player in global politics. For two decades it has been going through a controversial transformation process which is not over yet.

Thus, in is work, our Foundation, which has been working here since 1992, has been faced with important challenges and, at the same time, with many opportunities. The need for reforms in Russia remains immense. Despite the dynamic development which the country experienced in many areas, in others there is still a lot to be done. Here, our job is to promote the fundamental values of liberalism.

Dialogue and Open Debate

Together with our partners, we organize events for the promotiion of the supremacy of the rule of law, for the strengthening of civil society and the shaping of a liberal economic order. Therefire, we work with an economic think-tank to raise the awareness of the general public in Russia towards establishing private property and free competition as the foundations for economic growth and prosperity. The project of the Liberal Clubs, which were organized in various regions of Russia with local partners, has a long tradition. It provides an opportunity for free discussion of spontaneously occurring political and social topics.

This means that our Foundation does not view itself as a "teacher", but as a facilitator for exchanging experience and finding partners in an open dialogue of political issues. This dialogue is very important because relations between Russia and Germany are crucial for the future of both partners. Therefore, various Foundation programmes give civil society activists, journalists and scientists the opportunity to draw a picture of the German state and society first hand.

Towards free societies and markets in Central Asia

The work of the Foundation for Liberty in Central Asia is managed from our office in Moscow. With each project we pave the road towards the rule of law and the market economy. We work together with the Central Asian Free Market Institute (CAFMI), established in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan,) towards teaching young people from the Central Asian countries the basics of liberal thinking. During summer schools and other event formats, participants discuss the critical political issues of their region in order to develop liberal approaches to solve them. The idea is to build long-term partnership structures in other countries in Central Asia.