Ma’na Lab
A multidisciplinary space to reflect on
and reimagine the future of Central Asia
Applications are open until May 22
and reimagine the future of Central Asia
Applications are open until May 22
Ma’na Lab
A multidisciplinary space
to reflect on and reimagine
the future of Central Asia
to reflect on and reimagine
the future of Central Asia
Applications are open until May 22
- In recent years, global, regional, and national developments have sparked a growing demand to engage in collective reflection about the past, present, and future of the region of Central Asia. Collective memory, decoloniality, cultural appropriation, identity, power structures and dynamics are just a few threads of the emerging public discourses.
- At the same time, there is a lack of cross-border multidisciplinary platforms in the region that offer safe and brave space for deep thinking processes, critical discussions, and collective reimagining of current patterns of action and thought.
- Responding to this need, Ma’na Lab invites artists, writers, bloggers, journalists, creators, researchers, and civic activists from all five countries of Central Asia to embark on a journey of exploration and dialogue.
Originated from Arabic, the word “ma’na” translated as “meaning”, “sense” represents the essence of the Lab and has its reflections in all five languages of Central Asia: Uzbek “ma’no”, Tajik “маъно”, Turkmen “manysy”, Kyrgyz “маани”, and Kazakh “män, mağyna”
Originated from Arabic, the word “ma’na” translated as “meaning”, “sense” represents the essence of the Lab and has its reflections in all five languages of Central Asia: Uzbek “ma’no”, Tajik “маъно”, Turkmen “manysy”, Kyrgyz “маани”, and Kazakh “män, mağyna”
Ma’na Lab is a space to
reflect and exchange on root causes of the existing tensions across societies
question prevailing narratives and assumptions
embrace alternative storylines and views
foster pathways towards healing and solidarity
nurture horizontal relationships and multi-disciplinary collaborations
Ma’na Lab builds on a core belief that we cannot contribute to the positive transformation of our societies without making inner transformations in how we think, how we work, and who we are.
Ma’na Lab builds on a core belief that we cannot contribute to the positive transformation of our societies without making inner transformations in how we think, how we work, and who we are.
Ma’na Lab: the Learning Journey
Ma’na Lab: the Learning Journey
May 3–22
May 3–22
Application Period
Please, check if the program is right for you before applying.
All participation expenses are covered by the organizers. Participation is based on a competitive selection process.
All participation expenses are covered by the organizers. Participation is based on a competitive selection process.
May 13
May 16
May 16
May 13
May 16
May 16
Ma’na Info Sessions
Time commitment: 45 min (online)
Short online information sessions provide an opportunity to better understand the Ma’na Lab curriculum, meet the facilitation team, and ask any questions in person.
The first session is held in Russian. The second is in English. Content-wise, both sessions are the same.
The first session is held in Russian. The second is in English. Content-wise, both sessions are the same.
June 13
June 13
Ma’na Inception
Time commitment: 2 hours (online)
The online orientation session helps participants get to know each other and learn about the people, ideas, and stories behind Ma’na Lab.
June 21–23
June 21–23
Ma’na Online Intensive
Time commitment: 3 days x 4 hours each day (online)
The online workshop invites to delve into various dimensions of current societal transformations in Central Asia. Accompanied by thinkers and practitioners from the region and beyond, the participants engage in analysis of historical and cultural contexts and reflect on complex dynamics that are shaping lives of communities in the region.
July 20–28
July 20–28
Ma’na Residency in Almaty
Time commitment: 7 full days from July 21–27 inclusive, arriving evening July 20, departing morning July 28 (offline)
Location: Dom 36 (Almaty, Kazakhstan)
Location: Dom 36 (Almaty, Kazakhstan)
Learning, sharing, creating, and experimenting are the four pillars of the Ma’na Residency. It is process-oriented and provides time, space, and resources to inquire into collective memories, existing relationships with oneself, each other, and Central Asia as a region, and to explore potential for a thriving and resilient future. To nurture individual and collective processes of reflection and exploration, the Residency team offers a carefully curated mixture of inputs, encounters and interactions both within the group, with invited experts, and with local communities. By the end of the Residency, the participants identify an area or topic they want to explore deeper and develop a project idea they will be working on over the next three months.
The Ma’na Residency will take place at the House on Baribayev 36 (“Dom 36”). Learn more about the space.
The Ma’na Residency will take place at the House on Baribayev 36 (“Dom 36”). Learn more about the space.
July 29 — October 20
July 29 — October 20
Ma’na Studio
Time commitment: depends on the project, up to 2 months
Back home, the participants work on their own projects, either individually or in collaboration. This could include writing an article, creating an artwork, giving a performance, running a podcast, conducting research, engaging the community, developing educational materials, etc.
November 15–16
November 15–16
Ma’na Reflection Space
Time commitment: 2 days x 4 hours each day (online)
The two-day online meetup invites the participants to exchange on their experience after completing the Ma’na Lab learning journey and reflect on the key implications for their professional practice as well as for civil society and the arts landscape of Central Asia.
December 5
December 5
Ma’na Gala
Time commitment: 3 hours (online)
The final open event aims to foster public discussions on social and cultural transformations in Central Asia by sharing the outcomes and projects developed within Ma’na Lab with a broader audience.
Dom 36
“Dom 36” is a multifunctional art space, founded in 2020 in the building of the former Embassy of Uzbekistan. The founders see the mission of “Dom 36” in uniting people connected with creativity. An important feature of “Dom 36” is its status as a private, grassroots initiative. Among the residents of the space are the independent theater “Transforma”, the national creativity and souvenirs shop “TARTPA”, local clothing brand “Anima”, video studio “FAMOUS FACES STUDIO”, and many others.
What you can expect
✓ Immersive learning experience
✓ Carefully crafted and curated content
✓ Space for reflection and depth
✓ Immersive learning experience
✓ Carefully crafted and curated content
✓ Space for reflection and depth
Please, don’t expect
✕ Boring lectures with endless slide decks
✕ Networking for the sake of networking
✕ Ignored elephants in the room
✕ Boring lectures with endless slide decks
✕ Networking for the sake of networking
✕ Ignored elephants in the room
What you can expect
✓ Immersive learning experience
✓ Carefully crafted and curated content
✓ Space for reflection and depth
✓ Immersive learning experience
✓ Carefully crafted and curated content
✓ Space for reflection and depth
Please, don’t expect
✕ Boring lectures with endless slide decks
✕ Networking for the sake of networking
✕ Ignored elephants in the room
✕ Boring lectures with endless slide decks
✕ Networking for the sake of networking
✕ Ignored elephants in the room
Ma’na Lab is a program for you if you are
Ma’na Lab is a program for you if you are
- looking for spaces to rethink current and future pathways of Central Asia
- eager to engage in dialogue with thoughtful individuals from across the region
- ready to share your experience
- open to experiments
Ma’na Lab has a limited capacity
Ma’na Lab has a limited capacity
There will be a competitive selection process based on the following criteria:
profile
❋ you are currently working with pressing ecological and societal challenges in your communities or within your artistic work
␥ you have a citizenship or residence in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, or Uzbekistan
※ you can communicate and work in both English and Russian
⌕ you are over 18 years old
❋ you are currently working with pressing ecological and societal challenges in your communities or within your artistic work
␥ you have a citizenship or residence in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, or Uzbekistan
※ you can communicate and work in both English and Russian
⌕ you are over 18 years old
motivation
❁ you are ready to explore societal narratives
⎊ you are ready to develop and implement your own project
⍛ you want to incorporate learnings within the program in your professional context
✽ you are open to collaboration with other participants
⌯ you are committed to participate in the full cycle of the program
❁ you are ready to explore societal narratives
⎊ you are ready to develop and implement your own project
⍛ you want to incorporate learnings within the program in your professional context
✽ you are open to collaboration with other participants
⌯ you are committed to participate in the full cycle of the program
All participation expenses are covered by the organizers. Participation is based on a competitive selection process.
Speakers & Experts of Ma’na Lab
Speakers & Experts of Ma’na Lab
- Dr Jean BoultonAuthor of the book “Embracing complexity”, Visiting Senior Research Fellow at University of Bath, UK
Dr Jean Boulton
Author of the book “Embracing complexity”, Visiting Senior Research Fellow at University of Bath, UK
Jean teaches, researches, consults and writes about the implications of ‘embracing complexity’ for living and working in an increasingly fast-changing, volatile, uncertain, and interconnected world. She is a visiting fellow with both Bath and Cranfield Universities and a 2019 research fellow at Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Studies. She draws on her physics background to consider the implications of complexity theory for the natural and social world and has a keen interest in how these ideas connect with the philosophies of Buddhism and Daoism.
embracingcomplexity.com
embracingcomplexity.com
Galym Zhussipbek
Independent researcher and scholar
Galym is an independent researcher and scholar from Kazakhstan, working on various social and political issues. He focuses on inclusive development, interethnic relations, and geopolitical structures in the post-Soviet area. In his work, Galym examines the importance of inclusive institutions and their role in the development of Central Asian societies.
Altyn Kapalova
Artist, art historian, anthropologist, activist
Altyn is an artist, art historian, anthropologist, writer, and activist from Kyrgyzstan. She bridges different spheres and through research, writing children’s books, and organizing public and cultural events, she draws attention to the most pressing social issues. Her work encompasses various forms of artistic expression, including installations and performances aimed at raising awareness of important social issues in Kyrgyzstan and beyond.
Kuanysh Zhaikov
CEO at DESHT Institutional Transformation Group
Economist with main areas of expertise in Economic Geography, Industry & Trade, Institutional Economics, Economic Modeling, Government Strategies. CEO of DESHT — a non-profit think tank which mostly works with politicians, senior officials of the government, experts, and media. DESHT plays a role of the “bridge” between academia and public policy, providing practical recommendations on economic reforms.
Svetlana Kolchurina
Producer of projects focused on the actualization of cultural heritage
Entrepreneur in the creative industries, creator and producer of projects focused on the actualization of cultural heritage and the development of local community potential. Founder of public multifunctional art spaces. Director of the Association of Ethnocultural Centers and Organizations for Heritage Preservation “ECHO”. National trainee of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights program for indigenous peoples.
Meet the Ma’na Lab Team
Meet the Ma’na Lab Team
Indira Shah
Ma’na Lab Content Designer and Facilitator
For the last 13 years working in development, I kept asking myself: How can we unlock our capacity as a region to thrive and flourish? I strongly believe in the transformative nature of collective reflection and action of like-minded and like-hearted people deeply rooted in indigenous wisdom, healing processes, and synergies full of hope.
You can contact me on LinkedIn.
You can contact me on LinkedIn.
Zoya Lukyanova
Ma’na Lab Content Designer and Facilitator
The “scaling deep” approach is at the heart of Ma’na Lab. While focusing on the domains of culture change and cultural influence, it invites us to explore our individual and collective biases, assumptions, and beliefs, and to embrace inner work and relational work as foundational pillars for healing and positive transformations in our societies.
You can contact me on LinkedIn.
You can contact me on LinkedIn.
Ruslan Kildeev
Ma’na Lab Producer and Visual Facilitator
Hi! I’m a program producer and visual facilitator. This means I design and host meaningful learning experiences and gatherings and support others in doing this. For me, a successful event is one where every participant feels included, engaged, and warmly welcomed.
You can contact me on LinkedIn.
You can contact me on LinkedIn.
Karlygash Mukash
Ma’na Lab Program Engagement Manager
For me, Ma’na Lab is like a follow up to the first Book Kultura Lab — an Impact Hub Almaty’s project on rethinking and reflection of Kazakhstani identity. We are creating at Ma’na Lab a safe space for reflection and honest dialog. I am sure this will be a journey that will change many of us, and I hope to become a support for the participants on this journey.
Ma’na Lab is implemented by Impact Hub Almaty
Ma’na Lab is implemented by Impact Hub Almaty
and supported with German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), zivik Funding programme.
Impact Hub Almaty
Impact Hub Almaty stands as a pivotal platform for social innovators across Kazakhstan and Central Asia operating since 2017 as part of the global Impact Hub Network. With a steadfast dedication to fostering systemic development and sustainable impact, Impact Hub Almaty provides comprehensive support to entrepreneurs and changemakers.
Got questions?
Got questions?
Graphic design and illustrations — Ira Khvan.
