Photographs from the last barcamp in Kyrgyzstan. I finally had time to scan them – sorry about not posting for so long! To avoid wasting time, I didn’t do much color correction, except for a few photos, which I scanned back in August. Shot with FED-5B (V), regular Kodak 100 film. The camera is Yermek’s (@yermekkz). He took some of the pictures.

The internet in Kazakhstan is full of unexpected and amusing news. Here, for example, ReadOnly reports on a recent find at an Astana garbage dump – a run of the prime minister’s book!

One of Astana’s garbage dumps recently became the final destination not only for various sorts of garbage, but also for several hundred copies of The Economics of Transport in Kazakhstan, by the current cabinet leader, Karim Masimov.

People in neighboring houses were excited by the discovery. “The curious ones would pick out copies that were still intact and take them home as souvenirs,” a newspaper writes. A few days later, the rest of the books were taken to the city dump. Who threw them out and why - no one knows.

I knew, of course, that the judicial system in Kazakhstan is frankly ****, but this is beyond good and evil.

A sergeant was sentenced today in Almaty for beating up soldiers on the parade ground. One of the young men under his command recently died after being whipped with a belt. Nine others were delivered to the hospital with massive hematomas, internal bruises, brain edemas and traumatic shock.

Numerous witnesses confirmed that the man, Ongaltaev, was responsible. The investigation found that he was accepted into the army despite a previous conviction. Ongaltaev had received a two-year suspended sentence for fighting with classmates.

And now… What do you think, how many years did they give him for killing a man and injuring nine others? 15 years? 12? Hah. FIVE years. In a regular penal colony.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Interior has announced that the winner of the Kazakh Police Lady 2009 photo contest is 22-year-old Lana Muhamedianova of Karaganda, IA Novosti-Kazakhstan reports.

The Karaganda Department of the Interior, where Lieutenant Muhamedianova works as an investigator, has already celebrated the victory. According to her colleagues, the young beauty queen is not only very attractive, but also shows excellent results at work, particularly at shooting targets.

“We hold these kinds of competitions annually, to show that there are normal, beautiful people, like our lovely winner, working for the police,” says Azamat Baigaliev, the editor-in-chief of the Interior Ministry’s Media Center. Results are traditionally announced around 8 March. “Entrants send us their photos and work information, and our editorial board selects the winner,” Baigaliev explained.

Dr. Harvey is one of dozens of local and international professors and professionals providing their free training at the KIMEP International Conference on March 25-27 on the campus of the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research, located at Abai and Dostyk Streets in Almaty.

Discussion topics at the conference include:

• The Future is the Internet.
• The Impact of Convergence Technologies on Society.
• Case Studies of Convergence Technology.
• Journalism and Public Relations Education in Kazakhstan.
• Review of Online Educational Tools Available Now Online.
• Hands-on Digital Photography.
• Hands-on Internet Communication Tools.
• Creative Broadcasting.
• Principles of Media Management.
• The Future of Online Journalism.
• The Role of Public Relations in Central Asia.
• Challenges of Online Public Relations.
• Human Rights, Refugees and the Media.
• Women’s Issues in the Media.
• Vision and Plan for a New Educational TV Channel in Kazakhstan.

In addition to the more than 80 free workshops and presentations, the KIMEP Department of Journalism and Mass Communication is sponsoring a writing competition for university, college and high school students. The topic of the writing competition is, “How the Internet will Change the World.”

Each essay is limited to just 400 words and must be submitted in English. However, students can use Google translator or other translation aids. Participants who attend the conference will receive certificates, and the top writers will receive monetary awards: 15.000Tg first place, 10.000 second place, 5.000 third place, and five 2.000 fourth-place awards. The top award-winners will read their papers at the conference.

DEADLINE for submitting essays is March 18. Submit them to Dr. Ken Harvey, JMC Department, KIMEP, 4 Abai, Valikhanov 413, Almaty 050010. Essays can also be submitted by email at kharvey@kimep.kz. Please include name, age, school/university, phone number and email address.

Presenters at the conference include:

• Adrian Krupchansky, CEO, and Sergei Martynov, CTO, of Russia’s top Internet company, NotaMedia.
• Mariana Gurina, KTK-TV producer and director of a new educational TV channel.
• Assel Karaulova, President of Kazakhstan Press Club, CEO of PG Communications, and co-founder of PRshy public relations club.
• Zhanna Prashkevich, Editor/Writer for Nur.kz and PR practitioner.
• Inessa Shlapak, Online Journalist and organizer for BarCamp association.
• Zhanna Dossova, Regional Public Information Assistant Officer for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
• Tim Becherer, KIMEP instructor and former Video Editor at E! Entertainment in Hollywood.
• Andrey Sidorin, Communications Specialist for the United Nations Development Fund for Women.
• Zarina Tapinova, Chief Specialist of CRM’s National Business magazine.
• Sergey Karpov, National Programme Specialist, UNESCO.
• Elvira Pak, Director of Kazakhstan Office of Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
• Natalya Eskova, Senior PR Specialist, GSM Kazakhstan/Kcell.
• Aida Dossaeva, Corporate Communications Director of GSM Kazakhstan/Kcell.
• Erzhan Suleimenov, Institute of Media Standards.
• Galiya Ibrayeva, Dean of Journalism, al-Farabi KazNU.
• Bagila Ahatova, Vice President of Kazakh State University.
• Tulebike Kulgildinova, Department Chair, Kazakh State University of International Relations and World Languages.
• Darya Mussina, Project Manager of Sea2Sky.
• Yekaterina Menovchshikova, in charge of Kazkommerbanz’s online financial social network program.
• Frederick Emrich, Chair of KIMEP Department of Journalism & Mass Communication.
• Gulnar Assanbayeva, Senior Lecturer, KIMEP University.
• Almatai Zhussupova, Senior Lecturer, Kostanay State University.
• Yuriy Bibikov, KIMEP Web Designer & Instructor of Computer Graphics & Digital Photography.
• Ken Harvey, former Newspaper Reporter, Editor and Publisher, now KIMEP Associate Professor.

“To receive free training from such top professionals is a rare opportunity,” says Dr. Harvey. “Please join us at the KIMEP International Conference March 25-27.”

For more information, contact Gulnar Assanbayeva at +7 (727) 270 42 96 or gulnar@kimep.kz.

A guy I recently met at the Sheremetievo Airport (Moscow) told me about being in Minsk the night Belarus won a medal in Vancouver. You could never imagine such a thing in Kazakhstan. The fact that a Kazakh athlete won a medal was barely covered even by state media. The nation’s joy was limited to a line, at most, in a dozen blogs and some social network status updates. There was no reaction either when Miss Kazakhstan took second place at the Miss World contest, or when we beat Belgium in football (we celebrated with one extra round of beer in out pubs).

We don’t have real fans, and it feels like we never will. I don’t only mean this in the sporting sense, I mean enthusiasts, or even just people who are capable of expressing what they think, what makes them happy or what bothers them. And you cannot accuse them of feeling no pride at all for the country – they feel some, but it’s of a condescending nature.

There exists a stereotype about Kazakh laziness. Perhaps, it is true, but what comes first, laziness or a narrow range of interests, idleness, ignorance indifference and a lack of belief in oneself and one’s country? Some people believe it was the Tsar and the Bolsheviks who beat the proactive qualities out of us, replacing them with the instinct to “not stick out” coupled with one to “not change anything.” Is this really permanent?

As it’s often said, we all want to find a person who has been taught before us. And while we actively criticize yesterday’s students for lacking real knowledge and experience, we forget one important point: they have no way of obtaining them.

In my career, I’ve had very few bosses who were ready to teach me, invest something and then wait for the results to materialize. Everyone needs you to come in, snap your fingers and make everything happen like in a fairytale. Mistakes are punished and experiments designed to accumulate experience are not welcome.

Here’s a recent example: The Center for International Programs (which oversees the “B.” scholarship for training cadres abroad, and which is constantly criticized, even though no one declines the scholarships) sometimes sends us information about job openings. Apparently, an aspiring candidate for the title of Senior Expert at the “Institute for Economic Research” must not only have a doctorate or master’s degree in economics, but also possess excellent knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, AutoCad, CorelDraw, and Adobe Acrobat.

I don’t understand why a person possessing excellent knowledge of all these programs would agree to work for a ludicrous salary, especially given such “particular work conditions” as business trips and overtime. Then again, anything is possible…

Free, but space limited. Call +7 (727) 270 42 96 or email gulnar@kimep.kz to reserve your space right away.
WRITING COMPETITION: “How the Internet will Change the World.” 400-word limit. In English (but can use Google translator or other translation aids). 15.000Tg first place, 10.000 second place, 5.000 third place, and five 2.000 fourth place awards. Award-winners to read papers at the conference. All participants who attend conference to be honored and to receive printed certificate. DEADLINE March 18. Submit to Professor Ken Harvey, JMC Department, KIMEP, 4 Abai, Valikhanov 413, Almaty 050010. The Essay Awards Ceremony, reading of the winning essays by the student authors, and closing social will be Saturday evening (March 27) from 17.00-19.00.

Conference discussion topics include:

• The Future is the Internet.
• The Impact of Convergence Technologies on Society.
• Case Studies of Convergence Technology.
• Journalism and Public Relations Education in Kazakhstan.
• Review of Online Educational Tools Available Now Online.
• Hands-on Digital Photography.
• Hands-on Internet Communication Tools.
• Creative Broadcasting.
• Principles of Media Management.
• The Future of Online Journalism.
• The Role of Public Relations in Central Asia.
• Challenges of Online Public Relations.
• Human Rights, Refugees and the Media.
• Women’s Issues in the Media.
• Vision and Plan for a New Educational TV Channel in Kazakhstan.

Don’t delay!

Free, but space limited. Call +7 (727) 270 42 96 or email gulnar@kimep.kz to reserve your space right away.

Presenters at KIMEP International Conference include:

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, PRESENTERS INCLUDE:

• Adrian Krupchansky, CEO, and Sergei Martynov, CTO, of Russia’s top Internet company, NotaMedia.
• Mariana Gurina, KTK-TV producer and director of a new educational TV channel.
• Galiya Ibrayeva, Dean of Journalism, al-Farabi KazNU.
• Gulnar Assanbayeva, Senior Lecturer, KIMEP University.
• Bagila Ahatova, Vice President of Kazakh State University.
• Almatai Zhussupova, Senior Lecturer, Kostanay State University.
• Tulebike Kulgildinova, Department Chair, Kazakh State University of International Relations and World Languages.
• Aida Dossaeva, Corporate Communications Director of GSM Kazakhstan/Kcell.
• Sergey Karpov, National Programme Specialist, UNESCO.
• Elvira Pak, Director of Kazakhstan Office of Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
• Natalya Eskova, Senior PR Specialist, GSM Kazakhstan/Kcell.
• Erzhan Suleimenov, Institute of Media Standards.

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, PRESENTERS INCLUDE:

• Adrian Krupchansky, CEO, and Sergei Martynov, CTO, of Russia’s top Internet company, NotaMedia.
• Mariana Gurina, KTK-TV producer and director of a new educational TV channel.
• Assel Karaulova, President of Kazakhstan Press Club, CEO of PG Communications, and co-founder of Prshy public relations club.
• Darya Mussina, Project Manager of Sea2Sky.
• Zarina Tapinova, Chief Specialist of CRM’s National Business magazine.
• Yekaterina Menovchshikova, in charge of Kazkommerbanz’s online financial social network program.
• Frederick Emrich, Chair of KIMEP Department of Journalism & Mass Communication.
• Zhanna Prashkevich, Editor/Writer for Nur.kz and PR practitioner.
• Inessa Shlapak, Online Journalist and organizer for BarCamp association.
• Zhanna Dossova, Regional Public Information Assistant Officer for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
• Tim Becherer, KIMEP instructor and former Video Editor at E! Entertainment in Hollywood.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, PRESENTERS INCLUDE:

• Adrian Krupchansky, CEO, and Sergei Martynov, CTO, of Russia’s top Internet company, NotaMedia.
• Andrey Sidorin, Communications Specialist for the United Nations Development Fund for Women.
• Yuriy Bibikov, KIMEP Web Designer & Instructor of Computer Graphics & Digital Photography.
• Ken Harvey, former Newspaper Reporter, Editor and Publisher, now KIMEP Associate Professor.
• Allen Palmer, Fullbright Scholar teaching at American University of Central Asia in Bishkek.

Please join us at the KIMEP International Conference March 25-27. We need to hear from you right away! Free, but space limited. Call +7 (727) 270 42 96 or email gulnar@kimep.kz to reserve your space right away.

Are you not getting paid for working overtime? Has your girlfriend’s salary not been paid in three months? Violating labor laws is more of a rule than an exception in our society, so how does your job measure up to national and international standards?

Wage security, working overtime and during holidays, social aspects and a number of other important factors are all covered by the “Decent Work” test created by the WageIndicator research fund.

By taking the test, you can measure the quality of your job, to what extent it is in line with national legislation and international standards.

Your situation could turn out better than the average international experience, but most importantly, it shouldn’t turn out worse. The test results will not only reflect on your current job, but also explain your basic rights as an employee. Every cited article from the Kazakh Labor Code and its accompanying conventions is annotated and clarified in layman terms. Abstract legal documents become intelligible and applicable. The test is currently available in 19 countries from the CIS, Europe, Africa and the Americas. Now, Kazakhs can take part, too.

Why should you want to find out whether your work is “decent”?

It is a fairly broad concept, comprising many factors like wage levels, safety in the workplace, discrimination and benefits. Despite the fact that some of these are often neglected, it doesn’t mean one is not entitled to them.

Internationally, decent work has been accepted by the United Nations as part of its Millennium Declaration. The program is geared towards overcoming poverty and improving work conditions. In 2008, the International Confederation of Trade Unions proposed a World Day for Decent Work, which is now observed on 7 October.

Are you earning what you deserve?

Mojazarplata.kz will help you find out after you fill in this Survey on Work and Wages (http://mojazarplata.kz/main/Anketa-o-rabote-salary-survey-slow-speed-internet). Upon completing the survey, you will gain access to the Wage Calculator, where you can obtain necessary information regarding the labor market in Kazakhstan. This detailed information will help you when considering a new job, assessing yourself as a specialist or choosing professions.

It’s wonderful that Almaty has these garage sales, and that there are people who have wonderful things, and that everyone finds out about them. It’s also wonderful that there are people who promote these events and make wonderful photo reports about them. Thank you, Anya Ankona!

Text and photos by Anya Ankona:

On Saturday 13 February, the Almaty Garage Sale Valentine’s Edition took place. This time, we couldn’t complain about the location. It was held in the city center, in the Chukotka Bar. The main theme, of course, was Valentine’s Day, but, fortunately, there were not too many hearts, greeting cards and other paraphernalia to be seen.

The first thing I saw was this amusing sculpture. Even though it’s smiling, it still has an eerie feel.

More text and photos below.

Chingiz is a wonderful man who makes wonderful things out of wood:

An interesting set of four angels (left-to-right and top-to-bottom): a guardian angel, a love angel, an I-forget-what angel and an electrician angel (my favorite).

Chingiz was also selling a Red Army play set: hat, horse and saber.

This girl makes beautiful postcards, which I didn’t have time to buy :) and she had a really cool suitcase.

Henna tattoos were available.

The end result:

DJs Modest Debauchery: George and Esen Bulumbaev.

A whole set of Lenin postcards.

Askar’s posters. He also made the official one for AGS 3.0. I bought one of these and one of these.