RIVERS AND BRIDGES ARIZONA (RBA)

Building Bridges Between the People of Central Asia

Asia and the United States

Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia. With a long and celebrated history it has been at the crossroads of many people and cultures. It is a part of the Silk Road. It has high mountains and shares borders with China and several of the “Stan” countries.

So, where is Kyrgyzstan?

KyRgyzstan after the USSR

• Different approach to politics than their authoritarian neighbors; Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan

• A more pluralistic political system after the collapse of the Soviet Union

• Have swung between authoritarian and democratic forms of government

• RBA cooperates with Kyrgyz people to build a cultural bridge between people in the United States and people in Central Asia.

RBA Goals

• Build bridges between the peoples of Kyrgyzstan and USA using mentorship and cooperation.

• Help empower Kyrgyz people to achieve their dreams in their country.

• Promote democracy, religious tolerance and respect for human rights.