VZCZCXRO9624
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ
RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHAH #0174 0360858
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050858Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0206
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1153
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1021
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 3337
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 1590
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2182
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000174 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, EUR/ACE, DRL 
AID/W FOR EE/EA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREL EAID KPAO KDEM SOCI TX
SUBJECT:  TURKMENISTAN:  "ALUMNI OPPORTUNITIES" NETWORKING EVENT 
PROMOTES CIVIL SOCIETY 
 
¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified.  Not for public Internet. 
 
¶2. (U) Nearly 60 alumni from throughout Turkmenistan and 
representing nearly all U.S.-sponsored educational and professional 
exchange programs, including Future Leaders Exchange program (FLEX), 
UGRAD, Muskie, AUCA, and others, gathered at the Ak Altyn Hotel in 
Ashgabat for a five-hour alumni networking event on January 27. 
More than half the participants came from FLEX and were 18-20 years 
old.  During the first half of the event, the vibrant and energetic 
alumni discussed their experiences working on different community 
projects, including organizing English-language summer camps, 
community clean-up projects, or computer classes for the blind. 
 
¶3. (U) During the second half of the evening, the alumni 
brainstormed new ideas for 2008 projects, especially for a future 
alumni reunion.  They divided into four small working groups, each 
with a designated table leader.  They discussed the time, place, and 
theme of a future reunion.  Each table presented its ideas to the 
group as a whole, who then offered comments.  At the end of the 
evening, a vote was taken on the best themes and ideas. 
 
¶4. (SBU) COMMENT:  Alumni Opportunities 2008 was more than a 
successful networking and planning event.  It was also a good 
exercise in civil society.  Alumni took part in an important "town 
hall" meeting, which helped them form a connection with other 
participants, participate in a collaborative decision-making 
process, and highlight community service.  Given the unique social 
and political pressures of Turkmenistan where there are few 
opportunities for academic, professional, or civic development, Post 
regularly reaches out to alumni to reinforce this network and to 
ensure that the skills, knowledge, and confidence they gained while 
in the United States are put to use to serve their communities. 
Post plans to fund future alumni events.  END COMMENT. 
 
HOAGLAND