Welcome to the debut episode of the CAPS Unlock podcast, hosted by Peter Leonard, Communications Coordinator at CAPS Unlock. In this introductory episode, Peter is joined by executive sirector Aida Aidarkulova and program coordinator Tlegen Kuandykov to explore the mission of CAPS Unlock and the think tank landscape in Central Asia.

We discuss the organization's focus on critical areas such as international relations, social and economic justice, digital democracy, and climate change. Learn about CAPS Unlock’s recent initiatives, including a regional trade conference in Tashkent, and the challenges regional think tanks face, from funding constraints to academic freedom. We also highlight the importance of youth engagement, partnerships, and creativity in sustaining research.

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