Within the framework of Starlink Kazakhstan Programme from 8-10 and from 11-13 September 2008 (in Astana and Alamaty, respectively), CESS organized two training courses on Democratic Governance in the Security Sector: Defence. These courses were meant to broaden the understanding of democratic governance issues by Kazakhstani citizens, both military and civil representatives. One of the opening speeches was delivered by Mr. Zhovtis, Director of the CESS partner institute, the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, who attached great importance to this course. He said, that “traditionally, security sector authorities, such as Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, or National Security Committee, are very closed. It is prerogative of the Government to know what is happening within. But the world is changing and now it is impossible to imagine the functioning of these institutions without civil assistance”.