News and Insights
The Kyrgyz Republic’s civil society looks for opportunities in adversity
As funding cuts and legal restrictions hinder the work of civil society in the Kyrgyz Republic, John Smith Fellows are looking for new opportunities for collaboration. Civil society in the Kyrgyz Republic is in crisis. The legal and political space in which it can operate is shrinking, while cuts in USAID funding threaten the existence […]
Kazakhstan: the economy needs people with relevant skills
Economist Adil Kusmanov believes human capital development is central to diversifying and transforming the economy. He brings this perspective to the Bolashak Centre, Kazakhstan’s prestigious international scholarship programme. Adil is the new chairman of the Centre for International Programs “Bolashak,” which he describes as “one of the biggest social lifts in Kazakhstan.” The programme, which […]
Turkmenistan: engaging young people in climate action
Gulshat Ayydova, an educator and activist from Turkmenistan, is working to empower young people in her country to speak up about climate change and other environmental issues. “We are doing our best to engage more young people around climate change issues and policies and ensure their voices are heard,” says Gulshat, a John Smith Fellow […]
Georgia: empowering youth to be active citizens
Youth leader Giga Phartenadze is working to engage young people in politics in Georgia and help them understand their rights against a backdrop of increasing state-led repression. Thousands of people in Georgia continue to protest violations of the electoral process during the October 2024 election and the government’s suspension of the EU accession process. The […]
Moldova: advocating for displaced people’s rights
People who flee Transnistria – a separatist region in Moldova – have no right to protection under Moldovan law. Human rights lawyer Vadim Vieru is advocating for legislation to change this. Transnistria is part of Moldova but has been under Russian control since 1992. The de facto government, supported by Russia, does not tolerate any […]
Azerbaijan: positive role models for women in finance
Gular Pashayeva is the first woman board member at the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. She is on a mission to improve corporate governance and women’s representation in the financial sector in her country. “I always wanted to be at the table,” says Gular, a deputy governor at the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan […]
The identity of a nation is woven from fragile things
Three years after the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, the creative community of Ukraine continues to operate within the logic of developmental values rather than mere survival.
Three years on: What peace should be
Three years on from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, John Smith Fellow Ostap Kryvdyk reflects on what peace should be.
How the power of networking can contribute to a peaceful and democratic future
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine our immediate priority was to support Ukrainian John Smith Fellows in our network. In the longer term, we have had to rethink how we work.
Ukraine’s stolen children – the silent crisis that threatens the future
Right now, thousands of Ukrainian children do not know if their parents are alive. Tens of thousands have been taken to Russia, while hundreds of thousands have been lost in a broken system. Three years into Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the world has witnessed the forced displacement of millions of Ukrainians, the abduction of […]
Resilience and leadership: John Smith Fellows shaping Ukraine’s future
Three years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, John Smith Fellows are focusing on systemic change and are at the forefront of Ukraine’s democratic transformation and recovery. In 2022, John Smith Fellows were delivering aid to displaced families and coordinating international donations. Today, they are focused on the critical need for long-term solutions. Fellows now […]
Tajikistan: sustainable banking for people and economy
John Smith Fellow Suhayli Abdulvahhobov explains how building a strong and sustainable banking system in Tajikistan can grow the economy, mitigate climate change and improve people’s lives. Suhayli works for the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT), heading the banking analysis division in the banking supervision department, where he is involved in off-site supervision and the […]
Belarus: improving political engagement with diaspora communities
How do you sustain an opposition movement when your government has banned political parties? Political activist Ivan Kravtsov talks about his work during the 2020 Belarus election campaign and the challenges of politics in exile. Ivan is the executive secretary of the Coordination Council of Belarus and a key figure in his country’s opposition movement. He […]
Belarus: “I want to unite people through education”
Belarusian students have struggled to access international educational opportunities since the regime’s repression of dissenting voices and support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. John Smith Fellow and political activist Lizaveta Trakhalina is working to change that. Lizaveta is a Belarusian lawyer working for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and an activist who believes […]
Belarus: an election without an opposition
Exiled journalist and John Smith Fellow Hanna Liubakova offers an analysis of the political climate in Belarus as President Lukashenka gears up for an election engineered to extend his 30-year rule. The mood in Belarus in the run-up to this month’s election is a “stark contrast” to that of the last election in August 2020, […]
Moldova must defend its democratic values
Russia’s interference in Moldova’s EU referendum and presidential election is a wake-up call we must not ignore, say John Smith Fellows Olimpia Gribincea and Ilie Chirtoacă. Moldova’s EU referendum delivered a shock to supporters of European integration, among them President Maia Sandu. The poll on 20 October saw 50.38% vote in favour of closer integration […]
Fellows call for Georgian state to protect human rights and end violence
John Smith Fellows from Georgia are calling for the state to protect human rights amid ongoing violence against peaceful protesters following the country’s parliamentary elections on 26 October. Georgian Dream, the pro-Russia ruling party, claimed victory with 54% of the vote in the elections but pro-EU opposition parties say the result was falsified. Since the […]
Justice for torture survivors in Belarus
What does justice look like for torture survivors when the perpetrators remain in power? Viktoryia Fiodarava is working on a plan to amplify the opinions of survivors of torture in Belarus. Thousands of people have suffered torture and other human rights violations during brutal repressions in Belarus ordered by President Lukashenka in the years since […]
Welcome to Lord Boateng
The Rt Hon. the Lord Boateng has recently joined the John Smith Trust as a special advisor. As Labour MP for Brent South from 1987 to 2005, Lord Boateng served under John Smith as shadow economic secretary. Like John, his career took him from law into politics. He went on to serve as Britain’s High […]