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