Spotlights

Shairbek Juraev

International and Comparative Politics '04

Leading by Example

 

At the 2009 Commencement ceremony, the James Wade Emison III Alumni Leadership award was granted to Shairbek Juraev, in recognition of his leadership both to both Kyrgyzstan and to students from throughout Central Asia. Mr. Juraev graduated from AUCA in 2000, Summa Cum Laude with honors in International and Comparative Politics. He has also earned a Master of Science in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has been contributing to the development of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia for many years through work for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, and the Institute for Policy Development. Since 2007, he has been a faculty member at AUCA, and he has been chair of the International and Comparative Politics Department since 2008. At the start of the 2009-10 academic year, Mr. Juraev will begin a new appointment as AUCA’s Dean of Academic Development.

 

The James Wade Emison III Alumni Leadership Award honors the memory and legacy of James Wade Emison, an extraordinarily committed member of the Board of Trustees of American University of Central Asia from 2002 until his death on December 28, 2005. This award is conferred on the alum who best exemplifies leadership qualities in public service and individual integrity.

 

What do you feel as a recipient of the James Wade Emison III Alumni Leadership award? Do you think it important to give out such awards that recognize leaders in our society?

 

It was a great honor for me to receive this award, but also huge responsibility. Such awards come with higher expectations that you have to meet.

 

Receiving the award was of course a very pleasant event, and I can assure you that I am not at a stage in my life when one would expect any sort of awards for any achievements. I truly believe there are many young men and women who qualify for this leadership award.

 

Why did you choose politics as your area of study?

 

I have been interested in politics since childhood. When I was nine years old and just starting to understand the events outside of my family, I witnessed the collapse of Soviet Union and the creation of a new independent state. The early 1990s was an exciting period for people interested in politics, even though it was also a nervous time for those interested in business or economics.

 

Do you think that leadership is a gift that a person must be born with, or can anyone become a leader?

 

It very much depends on what do you mean by “leadership”. I believe leadership is not something to be found in only certain types of people. It comes from having vision, training and will, and I believe everyone can develop these. A true leader should have a broad and deep vision, be able to see the roots of problems, contextualize any particular event and see long-term challenges and opportunities. A true leader must be ready for a life-long learning process and beware of self-indulgence. And of course, a leader must have a strong will in pursuit of goals; very rarely do dreams come true easily. Most importantly, a good leader is the one who lives and acts in a social context, who serves his community.

 

In your opinion, what qualities should a good leader have in modern society? 

 

First, leaders must be competent in what they do. It is too easy and tempting to act in a populist manner, and become known as some sort of “leader.” The new leaders of Kyrgyzstani elite must demonstrate they know what to do and how to do it, and that they can learn whenever they need. Second, leaders must be men and women of principle, able to withstand to a great pressure of temptations. It takes great will and vision to persistently enforce rules. Making “exceptions” kills the chances for institutionalization of any good rules and laws. Third, the leaders must permanently maintain genuine connections to their community.

 

Do you think that international experience is necessary for becoming a leader?

 

I do not think it is necessary, but I believe international experience can greatly broaden the vision and understanding of this world. As the Kyrgyz saying suggests, the one who has seen more knows more than the one who lived more. Kyrgyzstan is a small country, and the only way we can develop is through building constructive and productive relations with the outer world. International experience helps in this way.

 

What advice would you give future leaders?

 

I would advise students to take advantage of all the opportunities that AUCA offers. It often happens that a small number of students disproportionately benefit from all sorts of grants, trips, and so on, just because the rest remain uninformed. Students should make an effort to find out about exciting opportunities, and they should keep themselves open to new things that come up. University years are indeed the period when students have the maximum freedom to pursue opportunities, and what students do with their lives now will correlate with the rest of their lives.

 

What was your experience at AUCA as a student?

 

I studied Political Science at Bishkek Humanities University before transferring to International and Comparative Politics at AUK. By the time I graduated, AUK became AUCA.

 

The establishment of AUK was a reflection of changes happening in this part of the world. AUK grew, and now AUCA is an important agent and leader of change. Change for the good of this country and this region. This understanding came as a result of my AUCA experience.

 

What are you currently working on and what are your plans for the future?

 

I currently chair and teach in the International and Comparative Politics department. We have been working on maintaining the high academic standards established in this department over many years. Apart from teaching, I am also involved in some research projects involving water, energy and related issues.

 

I plan to continue focusing on research and analysis of politics, possibly coming up with some new projects for myself. Pursuing a PhD is always an option, though every year I keep finding new reasons to postpone it.

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