The OSCE Academy in Bishkek came out as a product of partnership between the OSCE and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. In 2002 the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding that formalized the creation of the Academy as a regional centre of of postgraduate education and a forum for regional security dialogue and research. The mission of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek is to promote regional cooperation, conflict prevention and good governance in Central Asia through offering post-graduate education, professional trainings and intellectual exchange. The Academy pursues its mission through particular set of activities, including: -Providing expert training and education in human rights, media development, conflict prevention, management, resolution and post-conflict rehabilitation, -Conducting demand-driven and practice-oriented research on relevant Central Asian topics aiming at local, national and regional security-building, -Supporting the exchange of information and scientific co-operation among Central Asian academic institutions and their international partner organizations, -Establishing and developing a regional network of professionals and researchers.