Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 2pm MST
Nowruz marks a new day—a time to leave hardship behind and welcome renewal. Join us for a special webinar with Dr. Karim-Aly Kassam, International Professor of Environmental and Indigenous Studies at Cornell University, as he illuminates the cultural and ecological lenses of Nowruz, showing how traditions reflect adaptive knowledge tied to seasonal cycles.
This conversation will also feature CAI Program Manager Zia Sanaban, who will share insights into CAI’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Programs and how participants translate cultural knowledge into meaningful economic impact.
New in 2026: Register now to gain exclusive access to our all-new digital 2026 Nowruz Cookbook, which features traditional dishes prepared for the holiday and treasured Nowruz memories from our in-country partners.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 2pm MST
The webinar provided an update on our work to support women’s economic empowerment in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. Participants heard from Director of International Programs Anh Pham and Executive Director Alice Thomas, who shared authentic, first-hand perspectives from recent visits, stepping beyond the pages of the magazine. They described setbacks, triumphs, and real-life stories of transformation of the women CAI serves.
September 20, 2025 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM MST
Big Sky Montana
Central Asia Institute was thrilled to join the screening of the award-winning documentary “Champions of the Golden Valley,” hosted by the Lone Peak Film Festival, as an Impact Partner. “Champions of the Golden Valley” is the melding of a classic underdog sports story with the heartfelt portrait of a community finding hope amid disrupted dreams.
Afghanistan’s Struggle for Justice and Reconciliation Conference with Princeton University’s Afghanistan Policy Lab
August 21, 2025
Princeton University
In August of 2025, Central Asia Institute co-hosted a conference with Princeton’s Afghanistan Policy Lab that examined the role of non-violent resistance in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
August 9-20, 2025
Tajikistan
In August 2025, our executive director, Alice Thomas, visited Tajikistan, where Central Asia Institute has supported education and women’s economic empowerment since 2012.
August 5, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM MST
*Virtual Event*
In case you missed it:
Watch our webinar on ‘Her Right to Learn: The Crisis in Afghanistan’ with the Afghanistan Policy Lab of Princeton University.
March 12, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM MST
*Virtual Event*
In case you missed it:
Watch our webinar on Updates from the Field: Pakistan. Featuring Executive Director Alice Thomas as she takes you inside her recent journey to Pakistan.
November 1, 2024
The Ellen Theatre | Bozeman MT
Central Asia Institute hosted a screening of the award-winning film, Champions of the Golden Valley, at The Ellen Theatre in Bozeman, MT. The film was followed by brief panel discussion featuring the film’s producer, Katie Stjernholm; Ambassador Richard Boucher, former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia; and Alice Thomas, CAI Executive Director.
May 1, 2024
Preschool #2 | Barushan, Tajikistan
Five years ago, we broke ground on a new Preschool No. 2, with donors immediately joining as Brick Layers to fund the construction of this model school. Despite the challenges of working in such a remote and unstable environment, and the delays caused by limited access to supplies and labor, the dream was kept alive through the steadfast commitment of our community.
October 25, 2023
Northwestern Buffet Institute for Global Affairs
In 2023, nearly two years after the Taliban’s unexpected return to power in Afghanistan, the Northwestern Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, Central Asia Institute, and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s Center for International Human Rights hosted a panel discussion examining the country’s evolving situation.
