The Connect for Peace Festival 2026, held on 7 and 8 July at SmArt.Point, the largest coworking space and IT hub in Central Asia, brought together representatives of the media community from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
Over the course of two days, participants reviewed the results of the regional CARAVAN project and discussed the future of independent media in Central Asia amid rapid technological change, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence, increasing information threats, and the transformation of the digital environment.
The official part of the festival opened with welcoming remarks from distinguished guests, including CARAVAN Project Director Vadim Sadonshoev, Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan, and David Dieudonne, Director of Programs at Internews Europe.
The working program included practical sessions during which regional and international experts, together with participants, discussed key challenges facing modern journalism, including new funding models, the use of artificial intelligence in newsroom operations, methods of combating disinformation, journalists’ digital security, and the development of regional cooperation in Central Asia.
The speakers shared theoretical knowledge and demonstrated through concrete examples how media professionals can effectively integrate AI technologies into their daily work. In addition, the festival featured an open documentary film program showcasing projects created with the support of CARAVAN. These included “A Lonely String,” a film about Kazakhstan’s traditional musical heritage; documentaries about “third places” in Bishkek and Almaty; and “Alatau: Following the Disappearing Glaciers.” Screenings were followed by discussions involving the filmmakers, experts, and audiences.
The festival was organized by the international organization Internews as part of the CARAVAN project with financial support from the European Union. It served as a natural continuation of a series of educational initiatives, including specialized training sessions previously held in Ashgabat on digital technologies and the integration of artificial intelligence into the media sector.
