The Concept of the Program

Eurasian region was historically a cross-road of civilizations linking East and West, North and South. During different historical epochs, it was an arena of cooperation, cooptation, and rivalry of great powers of the past. Today, economic and trade challenges caused the need for transformation of the trade and investment flows as well as transport and logistics routes linking Eurasian states together and non-regional countries. The growth of international competition and non-regional players’ influence play a special role. Eurasian states need to reach common goals: energy and food security; technological and financial independence; growth of exports; cross-border investment projects, etc.

The key topics of the course:

1. The Soviet model of the organization of economic space in Eurasia: accumulating industrial potential.

2. Kazakhstan as the Heart of Eurasia: Brief History, Recent Modernization and Foreign Policy of Kazakhstan;

3. Crossroads of the Worlds: Connecting East and West from the Great Silk Belt to OBOR and meridian routes from North to South

4. Evolution of the investment presence of capital from the third countries in the post-Soviet economies (Caspian basin, infrastructure, concessions, public-private partnerships).

5. The «Eurasian Idea» as a banner of a new integration paradigm: the forerunner of the Eurasian Union.

6. Role of international transportation corridors and energy routes in the formation of Eurasian economic space.

7. “Elephants” and “whales” on which the Eurasian economic integration rests: factor analysis.

8. Gravitational forces: competition between Russia, China, and non-regional players.

 

The Summer school is aimed to provide students with different views on the historic development of the Eurasian project as well as its contemporary ability to act together, develop sustainability, and adapt to coming challenges and crises.