The acknowledgment of the international activity of the Fund Forum aimed to the development of national culture, art, science, education and sport is proved by the fact, that Fund Forum became the first official partner of UNESCO among public organizations on the territory of CIS countries.
Organizations have signed the «Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation» at the end of March 2007. Today, the number of joint projects of the Fund Forum and UNESCO amount to more than tens.
Projects
2005
The international conference Problems of restoration cultural and historical heritage in Central Asian region. Main development strategy was held on 25-26 November 2005 in International Karavan-Saray of Arts named after Ikuo Khiroyama (Tashkent). Conference was organized by the initiative of Chairperson of Board of Trustees of Fund Forum Dr. Gulnara Karimova jointly with Academy of Art of Uzbekistan, UNESCO, International organization Restorers without borders, International Karavan-Saray of Arts named after Ikuo Hiroyama with the support of several international organizations. Among them scientists and leaders of international organizations from Greece, Turkey, France, Bulgaria, Russia, Kazakhstan and many other countries. The Declaration on establishing the Central Asian Regional Center of restoration in Tashkent was signed by the end of the conference.
2006
Opening of the first in Tashkent Usto-Shogird (Master and Student) School of Ceramics of the famous Rakhimovs dynasty was held on 20 April 2006 in Tashkent with the support of the Fund Forum and UNESCO office in Uzbekistan. Creation of the School of ceramics was the old dream of representatives of this dynasty. Since the School was opened regular seminars, master-classes, presentations and other events uniting potters from all over the country is taking place there. The School has becoming acknowledged center for the ceramics masters of Uzbekistan and well as venue of international exchanges in this field. Series of workshops under the Blue Ceramics of Uzbekistan project was held in Ceramics School with the support of the Fund Forum and UNESCO office in Tashkent. It was attended by guest lecturers from Japan and the USA (Mr.Teppei Terada master ceramist from Japan and Mrs.Pamela Vandiver, professor of applied science of Arizona University (USA), one of the famous scientists who researched the history of world ceramics).
The Fund Forum took part in the International Educational program «Exchange workshop for Asian Performing Arts» on august 2-6, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan. This program was organized by the Asia-Pacific Cultural Center of UNESCO (ACCU) and the Association of national dances of Japan JAPA.
2007
The opening of the representative office of Fund Forum in Paris in March 2007 and signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Fund Forum and UNESCO during the meeting of Director General of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura and Chairperson of Board of Trustees of Fund Forum Gulnara Karimova caused considerable resonance among French community. Such important step for both parties is the result of effective international activity, as well as common goals of both organizations which aimed at rendering assistance to the development of science, education and culture, as well as deepening the international cooperation and intercultural dialogue. The defile in Carousel de Louvre and exhibition of 125 year of Uzbek photography in Luxembourg palace of the Senate building organized on the occasion of the opening of representative office of the Fund Forum in Paris presented the bright side of Uzbek art. Beautiful dances of Ofarin dance theatre, modern music style, winners of Yangi avlod (New Generation) Childrens Creativity Center.
On May 27, 2007 the events dedicated to the 2750th-anniversary of Samarkand and the 2000th-anniversary of Margilan were held at UNESCO headquarter in Paris. Among them international scientific conference The role of Samarkand and Margilan in the history of world civilization in the work of which the prominent Uzbek and European scientists took part. The film about Samarkand and Margilan was presented in the framework of the conference. During the visit to the UNESCO headquarter the Uzbek delegation met with Director General of this organization Mr. Koichiro Matsuura. Furthermore, the opening of exhibition dedicated to the anniversaries of Samarkand and Margilan were held on the same day. Exhibition demonstrated photographs of architectural monuments and present days of Samarkand and Margilan, art textile works and works of applied arts.
2008
On February 18-22, 2008 Forum participated in the session of Intergovernmental committee of UNESCO on protection of intangible cultural heritage representative of the Fund stage, which took place in Bulgaria.
Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) had visited Uzbekistan for photography during June 1-12, 2008 as a part of Development of Materials for Understanding Asian Cultures project. Fund Forum was the partner of the project who assisted during the visit of APCEIU staff to Uzbekistan. The group made visits to several regions of Uzbekistan including Samarkand, Bukhara, Ferghana, Navoi, Khorezm and others where they made photos of architectural sightseeing places and got acquainted with traditions of Uzbek people. Also, the group took photographs of marketplaces, traditional performances, and Ichan-Kala, a world heritage site in Khiva. All photos are to be published in the special photo-album which will be distributed throughout the world.
On 13 June 2008 the SISF jointly with Special Olympics Uzbekistan, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, UNESCO, UNICEF and other organizations had held international conference The ways of integration of children with different possibilities in the society.
On 13-14 June 2008 international conference The ways of changing of children life and youth with limited abilities was held in Tashkent. Among the participants of the conference were the representatives of official structures, UNICEF, UNDP, Special Olympics, UNESCO, foreign embassies and others. The main purpose of the conference was discussion of issues related to increasing of being informed and integration of people with limited abilities in the life of the society, exchange of ideas, experience and practical work, joint events and establishing of network of organizations on social integration of children and young people with limited abilities.
On July 2008 the round table on Perspectives of cooperation of UNESCO and Fund Forum in Japanese direction was organized in the Center of culture of UNESCO in Tokyo. The participants of the event were Fund Forum in Tokyo, ACCU, and representatives of the Ministry of Education, culture, sport, science and technology of Japan. The event was also consisted of cultural program of Uzbek performances, such as Uzbek dance, exhibition of applied arts, photo exhibition demonstrating the history and traditions of Uzbek people.
The opening ceremony of a Charity art exhibitionfair to support children and young people living with HIV was held on December the 15th at the Palace of Youth Creativity. It was organized by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, UNESCO, UNAIDS and the Fund Forum. Part of the proceeds from the sale of exhibits was directed to equip children`s rooms in the establishments that provide assistance and support to children living with HIV.
An exhibition Tashkent Yesterday and Today opened on December 16, 2008 at the Palais des Nations of the European Departments of the UNO in Geneva. Organizers of the event Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan to UNOG, UNESCO and the Fund Forum. During the event photo exhibition about Tashkent, fine arts exhibition as well as musical presentation with the participation of young and experienced performers of Uzbekistan were held.
2009
On April 10, 2009, a governmental concert dedicated to the 2200 anniversary of Tashkent celebrating took place at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The concert was attended by distinguished figures of culture and arts of Uzbekistan and winners of the «Yangi Avlod» (New generation) Children's Creativity Festival.
Show-exhibition «Masterpieces of National Art: Past and Present» has been held from April 20th till May 10th , 2009 by the Fund Forum in association with UNESCO and British Council at the Youth Creativity Palace in Tashkent. Every day from 100 till 500 connoisseurs of national art visit the exhibition, among them schoolchildren, students, cultural workers, guests of the capital and all those who are interested in rare exhibits and contemporary works from private collections and museums.
In May annual scaled project of the Fund Forum, Festival of Traditional Culture «Asrlar sadosi» (Echo of the Centuries) represented the full diversity of folk traditions and customs, applied arts and national cuisine, a unique folklore and intangible heritage. Since 2009 the Festival is held under the aegis of UNESCO in the form of folk festivals in different regions of Uzbekistan, in the historical and cultural centers. Each of them has a unique spiritual heritage, centuries-old tradition, carefully passed down from generation to generation.
In August the Fund Forum presented a unique album “Tashkent: the History of One City” featuring 400 historical and artistic photos of Tashkent of the late 19th century up to the present. The major project was implemented in partnership with the UNESCO. At its 34th session in November 2007, the UNESCO General Conference adopted a resolution to celebrate the 2200th anniversary of Tashkent and participate in related festive events.
September 24-26, 2009, Monza (Italy). A Fund Forum delegation headed by Gulnara Karimova attended a UNESCO world forum on cultural industries titled "Creativity, Innovation and Excellence: From Crafts to the Design and Fashion Industries". The event was attended by around 200 people representing cultural organization worldwide.
October 15-22, International Biennale of Contemporary Art “The city philosophy: an anthropological landscape”
In the frames of the Style.uz Art Week the International Biennale of contemporary art has been held in Tashkent. Art professionals’ forum, lectures and master-classes together with contemporary art exhibitions where leading world and local artists, masters, graphics, photographers, art critics, curators from 27 countries took part. All has been held in best Uzbekistan exhibition venues and pavilions during this project.
2010
On May 8-9, Khiva city’s Ichan-Qala historical complex played host to the Third Festival of Traditional Culture “Asrlar sadosi” (Echo of Ages) organized by the Fund Forum and the UNESCO Representative office in Uzbekistan. The Festival brought together roughly 25,000 people, among them over 100 international guests. The Festival included traditional cultural and scientific events.
October 10, in the frames of the Style.uz Art Week “Aristotle’s Mystery” Exhibition of Young Artists has been held in Tashkent. The Greek philosopher Aristotle stated that the size and form of the object being portrayed should be in sync with reality. Each artist represented at the exhibition tried to express their own understanding of Aristotle’s postulate in the form of the cow. The exhibition consisted of 15 works by artists aged 25 to 45 and presented various contemporary art techniques, from painting and video art to installations and fashion design.
2011
On April 28 - May 2, 2011, the Fund Forum in cooperation with the NAEMM, OSCE, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, UNDP, UNESCO and UNFPA organized Media Days, which kicked off with a major media forum. The forum participants included young journalists: representatives of regional NGOs, regional television studios, print and online media, and others. The Media Days alsi included a series of interesting events such as a training seminar organized with support from the US embassy and the OSCE. The training session was led by a professional from National Geographic channel. Another in the series of events was a training session for young journalists organized by UNFPA and UNESCO which focused on advocating healthy lifestyles.
On April 30 - May 1, 2011, the city of Bukhara played host to the fourth “Asrlar sadosi” (Echo of centuries) Festival of Traditional Culture, a collaborative effort between the Fund Forum and the UNESCO Tashkent Office. The Festival drew around 20 thousand people. It offered cultural and scientific events such as the presentation of a newly discovered bath complex believed to be around 1,000 years; solo exhibition of Japanese calligrapher Koichi Honda; roundtable “Film festivals - a phenomenon of contemporary global culture”; and presentation of the book “Masterpieces of Architectural Epigraphy in Uzbekistan”.
On May 5, an international conference titled “Social Strategies of Inclusive Education” focused on issues concerning inclusive education in Uzbekistan and ways of further integration of children with disabilities in society. Held at Tashkent, the conference was organized by the Social Initiatives Support Fund (SISF), Special Olympics Uzbekistan and the Fund Forum with assistance from the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education, the Ministry of Public Education and the UNESCO Tashkent Office. The conference participants exchanged experience and swapped opinions on the current activities in inclusive education and came up with proposals regarding further development of inclusive education and collaboration among various organizations as well as joint plans and strategies.
Joint projects of the Fund Forum and UNESCO
