Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, September 7, 2020 - Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Partnership for Innovations project, implemented by ARGO Civil Society Development Association, launched the 11th annual International Insights into Development Conference that will continue from September 7-14, 2020.

The theme of this year’s conference is Leadership and Volunteerism — Impact on Development. Aida Balayeva, Minister of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, opened the conference along with Christopher Edwards, USAID Central Asia Regional Mission Director. The conference was part of the month-long Innovation Festival that serves as a platform for activists from across Central Asia to raise awareness and engage communities.

“This conference is a key event in Central Asia to shine a spotlight on the importance of cross-regional initiatives and the development of civil society organizations,” said USAID Central Asia Regional Mission Director Edwards. “For the last decade, this conference has been a venue for thousands of civil society organizations’ leaders from across Central Asian countries to share experiences, expand networks, and develop joint projects.”

More than 80 representatives of civil society are participating as experts in various sessions across the cities of Central Asian countries. The conference also included the Amazing People Prize Award to recognize the best civil society and volunteering initiatives and featured stories about leaders that positively affected the lives of their communities. 

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USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work demonstrates the generosity of the American people and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. For more information visit: https://www.usaid.gov/central-asia-regional and USAID’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/USAIDCentralAsia.