IIP Speaker Fierman Wins Over Kyrgyz Audience

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000608 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/PPD AND SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PREL KG SUBJECT: IIP Speaker Fierman Wins Over Kyrgyz Audience ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Dr. William Fierman, Director of Indiana University's Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center and Professor of Central Asian Studies, participated in an IIP Speaker Program in Kyrgyzstan June 1 - 8, 2008. During his visit, he met with over 200 professors, students, journalists, government officials and the general public to discuss language policy issues. The topic of language policy is of great interest to Kyrgyzstan, which has faced the challenge of developing a language policy in the post-Soviet context. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Dr. Fierman lectured at Kyrgyz-Russian Slavonic University, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Osh State University, and Batken State University, and visited the National Commission on the State Language under the President of Kyrgyz Republic. In his lectures, he discussed the negative tendency in post-Soviet countries to use language policy as arsenal against those who do not speak the state language. He suggested that Kyrgyz language be smoothly integrated in education, beginning in early childhood, with the development of high-quality children's textbooks and TV programs in Kyrgyz. He advocated a linguistic policy which would preserve the right of ethnic minorities to speak in their native tongue. Many of his recommendations are based on his work with the Government of Kazakhstan on developing an official language policy. ¶3. (U) Dr. Fierman successfully reached out to audiences due to his expert knowledge of the topic and region. One factor that helped establish positive dialogue was his familiarity with local customs and excellent language skills. He spoke fluent Russian, Kazakh, Uzbek, and some Kyrgyz to audiences, invoking a sense of unity and cultural goodwill. ¶4. (U) The program also successfully reached out to over 40 alumni of USG programs, including students, faculty members, and administrators, who actively participated in lectures, discussions, and meetings. At every university Dr. Fierman visited, he met at least one alumnus who had been to Indiana University. ¶5. (U) Following up on Dr. Fierman's visit, the Embassy is preparing information packages, including articles by Dr. Fierman and a video of the celebration of the Nooruz holiday at Indiana University, for participating universities. Some universities have requested that the Embassy bring Dr. Fierman back for a series of lectures. This could be arranged through DVCs or the Fulbright Senior Specialist Program. LITZENBERGER