OSCE Centre supports Central Asian Leadership Programme training on environment, sustainable development

More than 30 young civil society leaders and professionals from Central Asia and Afghanistan are taking part in a nine-day Central Asian Leadership Programme on the environment and sustainable development , which began in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 16 September 2013.

The training event, co-organized by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), the OSCE Centre in Astana, and  the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the support from the Government of Norway, is organized in Almaty for the second time. It will provide participants with extensive ecological knowledge and will teach them how to apply their skills to complex environmental, economic and social issues.

“The sustainable development model integrates a mixture of three components - environmental, economic and social,” said Alexander Peytchev, Economic and Environmental Officer for the Centre in Astana. “It is no coincidence that political parties, government institutions, business structures and civil society organizations are looking for a new generation of leaders who understand these interrelated matters well and will be able to transform them into effective national policies in the pursuit of sustainable development and green growth goals.”

“The ongoing support of our traditional partners to this unique programme helps us engage more young people in dialogue,” said Heinrich Wyes, Deputy Executive Director of CAREC. “The role of civil society in Central Asia is increasingly perceived as the key factor for successful implementation of environmental and sustainable development activities in their region.”

The event is part of the OSCE Centre's long-standing efforts to promote regional dialogue and co-operation in environmental security and sustainable development.