Year of Youth: Kazakhstan and US share experience
The forum was organized within the framework of the “Networking and sharing experiences of youth organizations” project. It was aimed at helping build relations between the youth of Kazakhstan and the United States. In attendance were official representatives of youth nonprofit organizations, associations, social groups, and student clubs registered in Kazakhstan and the U.S., and young leaders and enthusiasts seeking to do joint projects in the fields of education, science, culture, and sport.
Deputy Minister of Information and Social Development Daniyar Yessin noted that Kazakhstan provided great opportunities for youth development in our country.
“I am very pleased that today we are hosting a joint forum on the interaction between our and American youth. The most important thing I want to mention is that the country pays great attention to the youth. Thanks to this forum, we have the opportunity to patch up bilateral relations not only at the government level but also at the level of our active youth. We hope that this forum will provide an opportunity to jointly implement the project in various fields: in science, culture, and sport. We also hope that you share your best practices, and our young people share theirs”, he said, welcoming the forum participants.
Daniyar Yessin also invited guests from the United States to visit the youth resource centers that provide young people with comprehensive support.
In turn, young people from the United States also expressed their impressions.
“I’m here in Kazakhstan because I study Asian studies at university, so having interested in Central Asia I came to have a great experience, to meet people, to understand the capital and culture of Kazakhstan. I’ve been hearing a little about Kazakhstan before coming here. Unfortunately, Kazakhstan is very unstudied in American colleagues, so I have come for myself to understand culture, history a little bit. My first impressions are to see people’s hospitability. Some of the great things I’ve been understood is Kazakhstan is a great land not only in Asia but internationally, as well. For us, young people, it’s also critically important to promote diplomacy and peace. When I come back I will explore Kazakhstan, especially engaging youth”, forum participant Collin Lembo said.
“Last year I came to Kazakhstan as part of the “English for Zhastar” program. Thanks to the program, I learned what a wonderful country Kazakhstan is. I noticed people were smiling. Currently I’ve been living in Kazakhstan for four months. I teach English at schools”, Maryam Webster, English teacher, said.
She also noted that Kazakhstan has all opportunities for young people.
“Young people can work both as a freelance and a permanent specialist. I'm from New York City. So, one of the similarities I found both in New York and in Kazakhstan is that the young people are very ambitious. It is a great opportunity for young people to have a chance to work in Kazakhstan”, she said.
As part of the forum, cooperation memoranda between Bolashak Alumni Association, the Civil Initiatives Support Center, and Kazakhstan Trade Council, as well as between Jas Otan Youth Wing and Indiana University Club, Astana Jastary Municipal Public Institution and Words Can Soar were inked.
The project is being implemented under a public grant of the Civil Initiatives Support Center with the support from the Ministry of Information and Social Development of Kazakhstan.
It should be reminded that on January 23, 2019 the city of Nur-Sultan hosted a forum kicking off the Year of Youth in Kazakhstan.
Saltanat Sarina
