This morning we got up and got to the university. The first thing we did in the morning was a quick introduction to remember each other’s names better. After playing some games to get to know each other we started playing the ‘fish pond’ game in order to learn something about the problems and issues with common goods. The game was interested, even though the results were extremely different. While one group was very well fed and only had 2 fish in their pond left another group was close to starvation but had over 40 fish in their pond.
After a quick presentation where we learned about the wonderful kingdom of the Netherlands we proceeded with the formation of our groups. To get into the cases as quickly as possible 7 experts were invited to a BrainHurricane so each group could talk to each of them for 15 minutes. This sessions were extremely productive and intense. The experts came from different fields (hydropower, on- and off-farm management, irrigation, finances and different government departments), which made the talk interesting. In these quick talks we already had a lot of controversies. We asked all sorts of questions that helped our group. All cases are original in their own way. Each group should identify new methods for solving problems in the water sector and propose new ideas that help to reach a new level.
After a quick wrap up session we headed to “Central Plov” for a truly delicious meal shared with all participants and the experts. We had different salads, tomatoes with onions, and of course Plov. It was flavoured with cinnamon and garlic and therefore extremely delicious. Even if Plov is the national dish of Uzbekistan it was still a nice way to connect with Kyrgyz culture.
By Kairat Sheisheev, Zarina Kaarova & Ludwig Löffler
