Yearly Archives: 2013

Major Revision of Mongolian Mining Regulations Is Underway

The first public debate on the proposed revisions of Mongolia’s mining regulations was conducted at the Citizen’s Hall of the Mongolian government on January 18, 2013. Although the revisions are long overdue, legislators appear to be in agreement that more … Continue reading

Posted in Corruption, Eurasia Daily Monitor, Governance, Law, Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Social Movements | Tagged | 2 Comments

Electing a President in Mongolia

Campaigning Parties cannot spend more than T5bil (approx. C$3.5mil), candidates no more than T3bil. Individuals may donate up to T10mil (approx. C$7,000), corporations up to T50mil. The public broadcaster provides free of charge time slots to candidates for election messages. … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Elections, Governance, Party Politics, Politics, Presidential 2013 | Tagged | 1 Comment

Turkish Prime Minister’s Visit to Mongolia

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Mongolia last month (April 11–12) is likely to result in closer bilateral economic cooperation in addition to the two countries’ already well-established cultural, educational and security ties. As is traditional for Turkish … Continue reading

Posted in Bilateral Aid, Eurasia Daily Monitor, Foreign Policy, International Relations, Mongolia and ..., Turkey | Tagged | 1 Comment

Mongolian Cashmere on Kickstarter

I recently came across an announcement of the first Mongolia-linked Kickstarter project (at least as far as I’m aware). Kickstarter, of course, is the website that offers entrepreneurs and others an opportunity to crowd-source funding for projects and business ideas. … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Cashmere, Fashion, Nomadism | Tagged | Leave a comment

Deepening Canada-Mongolia Relations

On April 25, just ahead of the ministerial conference of the Community of Democracies that was attended by Canadian Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Minister Deepak Obhrai, I published the following comment in Embassy – Canada’s Foreign Policy Newspaper. How … Continue reading

Posted in Bilateral Aid, Canada, Democracy, Development, Foreign Policy, Julian Dierkes | Tagged | Leave a comment

MPP Confirms Bat-Erdene As Nominee for Presidential Election

The opposition Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), announced its candidate for the upcoming presidential election after series of internal party nomination elections.  A well-known wrestling champion and long-time Member of Parliament (from Khentii Province), Badnaanyambuu BAT-ERDENE, will run against the incumbent … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, Mongolian People's Party, Party Politics, Politics, Presidential 2013 | Tagged | Leave a comment

PolitBarometer Ahead of Presidential Election

The Sant Maral Foundation released its PolitBarometer April survey of voters. Going by their strategy ahead of the parliamentary election in 2012, this will be the penultimate survey of public opinion. While polling is underdeveloped in Mongolia and hampered by … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Democratic Party, Elections, Mongolian People's Party, Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party, Party Politics, Politics, Presidential 2013, Public Opinion | Tagged | 2 Comments

Christianity in Mongolia since 1990

Like mining, we witness a religious boom in Mongolia. Like many post-socialist countries where religion experienced state repression, Mongolia has seen the revival and diversity of religion since 1990. The expansion of Buddhism and Shamanism, Mongolian “traditional” religions, has been … Continue reading

Posted in Byambajav Dalaibuyan, Religion, Research on Mongolia, Social Issues, Social Movements, Society and Culture, Ulaanbaatar | Tagged | 2 Comments

Presidential Election Timetable

April 22: Announcement of election date (June 26, 2013) April 22: suspension of transfer of citizens’ residential registration May 3-12: nomination of candidates May 5-29: citizen notification May 13-17: submission of candidates’ documents May 18-20: decision on candidate registration May … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, Party Politics, Politics, Presidential 2013 | Tagged | 5 Comments

Mongolian Bling

On April 27, the Projecting Change Film Festival screened Mongolian Bling, an award-winning documentary about Mongolian hip hop. Benj Binks, the Australian director of the film, happens to be in town for a couple more days, so I’ve invited him … Continue reading

Posted in Music, Pop Culture, Social Issues, Society and Culture, Ulaanbaatar, Youth | Tagged | Leave a comment

Community of Democracies

Canadian engagement and Mongolian democracy on the eve of the ministerial conference of the Community of Democracies. Continue reading

Posted in Bilateral Aid, Canada, Democracy, Development, Foreign Policy, International Relations, Ulaanbaatar | Tagged | Leave a comment

Presidential Election Observation

I am very much hoping to be in Ulaanbaatar again to serve as an election observer for the presidential election, what would be my fourth national election in Mongolia. The election is scheduled for June 26 and President Elbegdorj will … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Elections, Party Politics, Politics, Presidential 2013 | Tagged | Leave a comment

Seeking New Name for our Blog

Searching for a new, more permanent name for our blog… Continue reading

Posted in Research on Mongolia, Social Media | Tagged | 8 Comments

Guest Post: Musical Mobility and Continued Dialogues Between City and Countryside in Urtyn duu

Sunmin Yoon’s guest post on Mongolian long-song. Continue reading

Posted in Music, Pop Culture, Research on Mongolia, Society and Culture, Sunmin Yoon | Tagged | Leave a comment

Mongolie : « démocratisation libérale » et luttes pour la justice sociale

My article titled Democratization and the Struggles for Social Justice in Mongolia was translated and published in the “The State of Resistance in the South”: An annual critical overview of social movements in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The volume … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Society, Democracy, Politics, Publications, Research on Mongolia | Tagged | Leave a comment