MOCCA: The Multilevel Orders of Corruption in Central Asia project delivered one-week methods workshop on “Interdisciplinary Approaches and Methods to Understanding and Combatting Corruption: Theory, Practice and Policy-Making”.
The workshop, held at Lund University, Sweden, from 18 November to 22 November 2024, brought together researchers, policymakers, and academics to advance the fight against corruption through innovative methodologies and collaborative discourse.
The workshop aimed to provide junior researchers with comprehensive training while also fostering a platform for participants to collaborate on ongoing research. It offered attendees the opportunity to exchange ideas, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and gain insights into the latest developments on corruption and governance in Central Asia.
The workshop started with a warm welcome from Anna Lundberg, Head of the Sociology of Law Department at Lund University. Rustamjon Urinboyev set the stage with an insightful session on global corruption indicators, rule of law, and governance, exploring their implications for law, development, and social change in Central Asia. The second presentation on the first day was delivered by Dr. Kobil Ruziev, who addressed informal practices in higher education in Uzbekistan and presented recent developments in central banking, particularly focusing on central bank digital currencies.
On the second day, participants engaged in an experiment on corruption led by Taylan Yurtbakan and Burak Yildirim from Istanbul Medipol University. Their scenario- and game-based experiment examined individuals' perceptions of corruption, punishment fairness, and morality in an institutional setting. In the afternoon, Dilaver Khamzaev from the Law Enforcement Academy of Uzbekistan shared insights into the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence in anti-corruption research, emphasizing ethical research practices. This was followed by Rustamjon Urinboyev’s two sessions on normative and legal pluralistic approaches to understanding corruption from interdisciplinary perspectives.
The third day began with Dr. Patrik Olsson, who discussed the interplay between shadow economies, corruption, and social norms, focusing on governance challenges in Central Asia. Rustamjon Urinboyev then explored socio-legal theories on compliance and their application to corruption analysis. The highlight of the day was a series of presentations by MOCCA project secondees, offering localized perspectives on corruption, including:
- Nuruipa Mukanova (Anticorruption Business Council under the President of Kyrgyz Republic) – Demand- and supply-driven anti-corruption policies.
- Nazgul Baigabatova (Zhetysu University, Kazakhstan) – Legal and policy hurdles in attaining Kazakhstani citizenship.
- Aliya Kashaganova (Zhetysu University, Kazakhstan) – Corruption in secondary education in Zhetysu Region.
- Diyorbek Ibragimov (Law Enforcement Academy/General Prosecutors Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan) – Prosecutorial responsibilities in juvenile legal cases.
- Odiljon Nematillayev (Law Enforcement Academy/General Prosecutors Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan) – Legal mechanisms for corruption-proofing legislation.
The sessions highlighted practical challenges and innovative approaches to addressing corruption in Central Asia.
The final day focused on consolidating progress and planning future research. The attendees were updated on the MOCCA project’s advancements, including planned training and dissemination activities.
A notable highlight of the workshop was the presence of H.E. Dr. Rahmatulla Nurimbetov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Sweden, who delivered a keynote on the potential for Sweden-Central Asia partnerships in combating corruption. Drawing on Sweden’s exemplary governance practices, he emphasized the importance of adapting Scandinavian models to the Central Asian context.
This exciting one-week workshop was broadcast on the Uzbek national TV channel “Uzbekistan 24”.
The workshop concluded with cultural exchanges and informal networking, solidifying connections among participants and fostering collaboration beyond the event.
