Lessons and Insights from the Past: A Question Posed to an Oxford Scholar
Laid-Back chat with Oxford Historian Peter Frankopan in Astana
Peter Frankopan, a global history professor at Oxford University, recently sat down with The Astana Times to chat about the importance of revisiting and reshaping historical narratives. Frankopan, the author of multiple best-selling books, including "The Silk Roads: A New History of the World" and his latest release, "The Earth Transformed," emphasized the significance of education in fostering a comprehensive and interconnected understanding of world history.
Frankopan's work challenges deep-seated Western-centric historical narratives by highlighting the region known as the Silk Roads as the real heart of world history, economically, culturally, and politically. In his latest book, he explores environmental and climate events as the driving forces behind centuries of human history.
During his visit to Kazakhstan to participate in the Astana International Forum, Frankopan shared his thoughts on the nation's growing importance on the world stage.
"More people are paying more attention to Kazakhstan, or what is happening here. You, Kazakhs, have known how important Kazakhstan has been for a long time. I've been trying to say this for the last 20 or 30 years, but suddenly the rest of the world seems to have woken up that it's worth paying attention to Kazakhstan and the wider region," he said.
When asked about the importance of international forums such as the AIF, Frankopan emphasized the value of meeting people from diverse backgrounds and countries. "It is really important not to come as a speaker, but to come and to listen. That's the one thing I think is the best advice I've ever had when I was a boy - spend less time talking, more time listening," he shared.
Broadening historical understanding begins with questioning and seeking out new perspectives. Frankopan stressed the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone and being open to learning about different cultures and peoples.
"Every time I travel, every time I have a meal, every time I have a conversation, I'm trying to think about how I should be seeing the world in a different way. How do young women in Kazakhstan see the world? How do old men in Kazakhstan? Does it matter if you are in the east of the country, in Aktau? Does it matter if you live near the Russian border?" he asked.
Education is the key to breaking down outdated historical frameworks, Frankopan firmly believes.
"Sometimes you need to be prompted to think differently. If you are lucky enough to travel, or if you are curious, then you don't need to force yourself to learn about other things and other people. But my view is that's what education should do," he said.
Frankopan acknowledged that thinking differently might not be as easy as it sounds but encouraged seeing it as a muscle that gets stronger with use. "I don't know what your school was like, Assel, but in my school, we were all taught how to memorize things, but education should be about learning how to think," he added.
When discussing Kazakhstan's place in a shifting geopolitical landscape, Frankopan reiterated the importance of education. "Education is a lifelong exercise. Investment in education is not cheap, but if you are asking the right kind of questions, then you can empower people to be the next generation of thinkers," he said. He commended Kazakhstan's efforts to provide education through programs such as the Bolashak international scholarship, enabling thousands of talented Kazakhs to study abroad at the state's expense.
Historically, people in Central Asia have developed a strong ability to adapt, Frankopan said. "Maybe today we are seeing the rise of digital empires, the rise of empires that control critical minerals, companies, or a rise of empires in space that control satellites and communications. There are lots of parallels, but being able to adapt is obviously key," he added.
When it comes to climate change, historical lessons suggest the importance of planning and preparation. "Water for Central Asia is the key challenge for long-term sustainability. Our energy consumption globally in the next five years is going to double because of our use of technologies. Our water use is going to more or less double in the next decade, too," Frankopan explained. He emphasized the need to translate these conversations into investments, not just financial, to ensure long-term sustainability.
Frankopan also sees diversified partnerships as a positive development, including with Afghanistan, "whose trajectory has been really devastating for so many people to watch, whether about women's rights, about the economy, and the levels of poverty."
Stay tuned to our YouTube channel for a full conversation with Peter Frankopan.
[1] Frankopan's work challenges traditional Western-centric perspectives of history by emphasizing the significance of regions such as those historically linked by the Silk Roads, arguing that this area has been central economically, culturally, and politically throughout world history. This approach broadens the scope of history education beyond Eurocentric narratives, promoting a more interconnected and comprehensive view of the past.
[2] By revisiting and revising historical narratives through education, societies can better engage with their past in ways that encourage dialogue and understanding among different peoples. This method fosters global awareness and helps create a foundation for more informed international relations and cooperation.
[1] Frankopan's emphasis on the Silk Roads region as a central part of world history signifies the importance of education-and-self-development in fostering a more comprehensive understanding of personal-growth, learning about different cultures and peoples.
[2] By promoting a more diverse and interconnected view of history, education can facilitate personal-growth, learning, and a broader perspective on international relations, ultimately encouraging dialogue and understanding among different societies.
