Kyrgyzstan: universities continue to actively implement Nexus games

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – In the first half of December 2023, students of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University (KRSU) named after. B.N. Yeltsin and the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University (KNAU) named after. K.I. Scriabin in the field of «Environmental management and water use» held a joint Nexus game on the topic «Agreement in the field of water resources management»..

Participants were divided into two groups and represented members of the governments of countries located upstream and downstream of the river. Appointed prime ministers and ministers of water, energy, and agriculture made decisions on electricity generation, water and food supplies for the country, and economic benefits.

«We saw by example the important of the interconnections between water, energy and food in governing the country. After all, the Nexus approach is what will ensure the sustainable development of humanity and the preservation of ecosystems», said Kiizbaev Bekbolot, a 4th-year student at KRSU named after. B.N. Yeltsin.

During the game, students resolved emerging crisis situations, negotiated with neighboring countries and reached universal agreement.

«In this game it is important not only the ability to manage, but also to negotiate and find compromises. It teaches students important and necessary negotiation skills. Thus, the relevance and significance of introducing the Nexus game into the educational process is undeniable», noted Galina Frolova, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Water Resources and Engineering, KRSU named after. B.N. Yeltsin.

Brief reference

The Nexus Simulation was developed by the Centre for Systems Solutions in collaboration with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and the «Sustainable Energy for All» Initiative. The history of its implementation in the Central Asian region began in 2018 within the framework of the European Union (EU) project «Nexus Dialogue in Central Asia» implemented by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC). The game represents a facilitated process of playing 5 different scenarios for developing the territories upstream and downstream while addressing water needs of population, industry and agriculture and taking into account climate change challenges. Currently, the Nexus Game is actively promoted by CAREC in universities, academies, basin organizations and media in Central Asia with funding from the EU and the US for International Development (USAID).

Additional information: Ludmila Kiktenko, Environmental Management Program Manager, CAREC, lkiktenko@carececo.org

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