Over the course of three days, participants attended various seminars and break-out sessions on topics as diverse as “Two Decades of U.S. Policy in Central Asia” and “How to Plan a Large Event.” They also had the opportunity to learn a bit about Uzbekistan through local excursions and cultural events.

In addition to hearing a local speaker's presentation on Uzbek history and culture, the participants were able to glean important information and career advice from live presentations by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Geoffrey Pyatt, U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Richard Hoagland, USAID Regional Director Dr. Andrew Sisson, and the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission in Kyrgyzstan Larry Memmott, as well as Duane Butcher, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Uzbekistan.

The participants also had a chance to interact with Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Janice Jacobs and Director General of the Foreign Service Ambassador Nancy Powell among others by Digital Video Conference (DVC).

Fortunately, they didn’t have to leave Uzbekistan without experiencing some of the culture and historical sites. The weekend following the conference was left free for sightseeing and travel, and many participants took full advantage of the opportunity. One family member participant was thrilled to have the chance to see Samarkand, which she had been hoping to do for years. Most said they were leaving with a very positive image of the city of Tashkent.

Other diversions included the happy coincidence of the conference with the Central Asia tour of the alternative rock band Brazzaville, also hosted by the U.S. Embassy. Conference participants had the chance to attend Brazzaville's Tashkent concert at Turkestan Hall, and to enjoy music and festivities the following evening at the Brazzaville Reception, which also included traditional Uzbek music and dancing.

Overall, the conference was a great opportunity for Entry-Level Personnel in the region to interact and hear different perspectives on a wide range of topics helpful to their career development. The participants, representing posts in Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, were also able to interact with more experienced officers for advice and information.