U.S. Embassy opens new American Space in Dushanbe to support English and innovation

According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, the modern facility is over 700 square meters in size with nine programming zones, including an innovative “Maker Space” studio where you can enhance your engineering skills, a broadcast media lab for bloggers and amateur journalists, a full library of books to improve your English, and the fastest free internet in Tajikistan.  The American Space is located on the 3rd floor of the Poytakht commercial center at 49 Mirzo Tursunzoda Street in Dushanbe.  Entrance to the space and all programs are completely free.  The American Space is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00-19:00.

The U.S. Embassy opened the new space on May 25h with participation of U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan, John Mark Pommersheim, and the First Deputy Minister of Education and Science Muhammaddovud Salohiyon.

Calling the American Space, “a gift from the people of America to the people of Tajikistan,” Ambassador Pommersheim noted in his remarks that the Space is, “a shining example of our partnership, and embodies our motto – “forward together” (Якҷоя ба пеш).  This space brings our people together – and forward – through learning English, gaining skills, and sharing our cultures.”

Ambassador Pommersheim invited all Tajik citizens to visit the American Space to develop their skills and join a supportive community.  Speaking to Tajik youth attending the event, he said, “I trust that you will use this Space to grow as leaders as you also lead Tajikistan into the future.”  The Ambassador noted that the opening of the American Space is the first of many activities planned over the coming year to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Tajikistan.

The new American Space in Dushanbe is part of a network of eight American Spaces supported by the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan, which are located in Dushanbe, Khujand, Isfara, Bokhtar, Kulob, Khorog, Gharm, and Panjakent.

The first American Space in Tajikistan was opened in 2005, in Kulob.  The American Spaces are a joint initiative between energetic Tajiks and Americans who have a shared vision for positive change.  In September, American citizens will arrive in Tajikistan to organize educational programs and lead English discussion clubs at the American Spaces.  All spaces have active social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where you can learn about their schedule of events and participate in some virtual sessions.  The American Spaces engaged entirely through virtual programming during the pandemic, but have transitioned to in-person programming in recent months.

The U.S. government supports these Spaces to increase mutual understanding between the United States and Tajikistan, and to increase opportunities for Tajik citizens to gain global skills.  The American Space network is just one of the many U.S. Embassy programs that provide educational opportunities for Tajikistan’s citizens.  The U.S. government offers 25 different exchange programs for Tajik students, schoolchildren, and professionals, and more than 5,000 Tajik citizens have participated in U.S. government exchange programs.  Since 1992, the U.S. government has provided US$1.8 billion in assistance to Tajikistan, including US$100 million in educational assistance.