Community of Practice

Almaty, Kazakhstan – On June 12, 2025, The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) conducted a one-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on Interactive Simulation of the Nexus Approach (Nexus Game) for the teaching staff of the Humanities School at Narxoz University, specifically from the academic programs in Ecology and Environment & Sustainable Development.

During the training, 9 lecturers assumed the roles of ministers and prime ministers of upstream and downstream countries. Through the simulation, they managed state affairs, conducted negotiations, signed trade agreements, and defended national interests on the international stage.

 

Participants gained a hands-on understanding of the interconnection between water, energy, and food security. Taking into account the growing challenges of climate change, they tackled tasks aimed at ensuring the provision of essential resources to the population.

Throughout the game, two countries sought to support each other and exchange critical resources, demonstrating a willingness to cooperate and build strong partnerships. Special attention was given to sustainable approaches to natural resource management, including the adoption of green technologies and the protection of ecosystems.

  

 

Background Information

The Nexus Simulation was developed by the Centre for Systems Solutions in collaboration with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and the “Sustainable Energy for All” Initiative. The history of its implementation in the Central Asian region began in 2018 within the framework of the European Union (EU) project “Nexus Dialogue in Central Asia” implemented by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC). The game represents a facilitated process of playing 5 different scenarios for developing the territories upstream and downstream while addressing water needs of population, industry and agriculture and taking into account climate change challenges. From 2021 to 2025, the game was promoted by CAREC with the support of the EU and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). CAREC continues its mission to disseminate the game across universities, academies, basin organizations, and media in Central Asia.