A National Research and Practical Conference on the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan As a Unique Model in the Context of Global Challenges was held at S. Toraighyrov Pavlodar State University.

The Conference addressed the problems of cooperation among youth organizations, ethnocultural associations of APK, non-governmental organizations, and public authorities with the aim to consolidate society and reinforce inter-ethnic harmony.

According to Acting Rector of S. Toraighyrov PSU, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor Arman Akishev, this Conference is special, as it is held in the year of the 20th anniversary of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, the 550th anniversary of Kazakh Khanate establishment, the 20th anniversary of the Constitution and the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory. There is no doubt that all most significant achievements throughout our history have been made owing to the national unity of our people and the priceless heritage that we must preserve and pass to the next generations. “2015 has been declared the Year of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, which emphasizes the significance of a consistent state policy in the field of strengthening national unity. This is especially important now when ethnic and religious conflicts have become one of the main challenges of our time,” said Arman Akishev.

Tatyana Kuzina, Chairperson of the Slavic Cultural Center Public Association, urged all students to vote in the upcoming presidential election. “We are the heirs of the great Abai, the heirs of great spiritual and political values; therefore, we have no right to be indifferent to the future of our homeland in this decisive moment,” she said.

The following speakers made their reports during the Conference: Seysembay Zhetpysbayev, Head of the Regional Secretariat of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, Saule Mamytova, Director of the Center of APK and Eurasian Integration, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, and Lyudmila Ifandopulo, Chairperson of the Elpida Regional Greek Ethnocultural Center.

Following the discussion of topical problems of interethnic relations, participants of the event presented a common strategy of preserving stability in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of globalization. The contribution to the prosperity and stability of our country made by President Nursultan Nazarbayev was highly appreciated. Taking into account the existing global challenges, with a view to preserve the current model of our Republic's development, participants of the Conference expressed their unanimous support for the initiative of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan to hold early presidential election.

Photo by Rufina Torpischeva