
On August 17-18, 2023, in Almaty, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - the United Nations Agency for Migration, together with partners the Otandastar Foundation and the World Association of Kazakhs, held an international seminar-forum on interaction with the Kazakh diaspora and compatriots abroad.
Researchers of the Institute Botagoz Rakisheva, Kalamkas Yessimova and Ainur Mazhitova took part in the seminar-forum.
Botagoz Rakisheva made a presentation “The position and main trends of representatives of the Kazakh diaspora and compatriots abroad on the example of Kazakhs in Europe, Turkey and South Korea”.
We are at a new stage in Kazakhstan’s diaporal policy. Following the Concept of the “Migration Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023-2027”, a “Communication Strategy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for work with compatriots living abroad for 2024-2028” has been developed. The “Communication Strategy” was the result of a two-year work of the International Organization for Migration and the Otandastar Foundation JSC, with the direct participation of the World Association of Kazakhs. It should be noted that during the preparation, Kazakhstan and international experience was taken into account, studies were carried out, discussions were held with representatives of state bodies, the non-governmental sector, and scientists.
The purpose of the communication strategy is to establish a productive dialogue with compatriots living abroad, as well as to increase the effectiveness of interaction and their involvement in the development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition, the strategy is aimed at creating a positive image of Kazakhstan in the eyes of the international community and at enhancing the prestige of the country in the world.
We are grateful to the developers of the Communication Strategy and hope that the Strategy will make a significant contribution in establishing relations with compatriots abroad!

On June 27, 2023, founder, project director Botagoz Rakisheva, deputy director Ainur Mazhitova, analyst-methodologist Kalamkas Yessimova and foreign intern of the Institute Eugenia Pesci took part in the Meeting of the working group to develop recommendations for the Communication Strategy of the Republic of Kazakhstan on work with compatriots living abroad for 2024-2028. The meeting was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Astana.
The purpose of the meeting was to develop key recommendations and feedback on the draft strategy in order to introduce a whole-of-government approach to this document. During the meeting Botagoz Rakisheva presented the results of the project “Onomastic Analysis for Mapping the Kazakh Diaspora” commissioned by IOM, conducted by the Public Opinion Research Institute in the period from December 2021 to August 2022. Within the framework of this research, 200 respondents-representatives of the Kazakh diaspora living in the Russian Federation were interviewed. The results of this research are presented in a publication available at the link: https://kazakhstan.iom.int/resources/onomastic-analysis-kazakh-diaspora-russian-federtaion
Also, during the meeting, the draft Strategy for communication with the Kazakh diaspora and compatriots abroad was considered. The action plan of the communication strategy was discussed with the participants and recommendations for its improvement were developed.

On June 23, 2023, deputy director Ainur Mazhitova, methodologist-analyst Kalamkas Yessimova and scientific researcher Amina Khassanova took part in the round table “Interaction between organizations from Russia and Kazakhstan in the field of developing mechanisms for working with migrants”. The round table was organized by the Charitable Foundation for the Support and Development of Educational and Social Projects “PSP-Fund” (Russia) and the NGO Legal Center for Women’s Initiatives “Sana Sezim” (Kazakhstan). The round table was held within the framework of the “Migration and Development. Dissemination of successful technologies of Russian NGOs in the system of pre-departure training of migrants through the development of cooperation between public organizations of Russia, EAEU and CIS” project implemented with the support of the Presidential Grants Fund of the Russian Federation. During the round table, the participants discussed trends, legislation, regulation of migration processes in the Russian Federation and other topical issues.
The second half of the event was covered by the training “Migration policy of the Russian Federation and the interaction of organizations in Russia and Kazakhstan in working with migrants”. The trainers were Boris Panich (Director of the Charitable Foundation “PSP-Fund”, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation) and Andrey Yakimov (project coordinator of the Charitable Foundation “PSP-Fund”, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). During the training, the following topics were discussed: the migration policy of the Russian Federation, the possibilities and mechanisms for interaction between organizations in Russia and Kazakhstan, the mechanisms and practices of promoting the legal and socio-cultural adaptation of migrant workers and their families in the Russian Federation.

May 26-28, 2023, employees of the Institute, researchers of the Kazakh diaspora - Botagoz Rakisheva, Gulden Ashkenova and Ainur Mazhitova took part in the Kurultai of Kazakhs of Europe, held in Cologne (Germany). The organizer was the Kazakh Cultural Center in Cologne with the support of NJSC “Otandastar Foundation” and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Germany.
Within the framework of the Kurultai, such events as a meeting of the leaders of the Kazakh diaspora in European countries, youth conference, football tournament, concert, trade fair of craftspeople and artists from Kazakhstan, exhibitions, national games, photo shoots were organized.
In total, the Kurultai brought together more than 2,000 Kazakhs from different countries of Europe and from Kazakhstan, in addition, former compatriots from the German ethnic group who moved to Germany from Kazakhstan took part in the Kurultai.
We thank the Kazakh Cultural Center in Cologne and NJSC “Otandastar Foundation” for the excellent organization of the Kurultai and the opportunity to participate in such an important event.
Source: https://www.oq.gov.kz/ru/news/820-kuryltay-kazakhov-v-germanii

On May 17-19, 2023, Astana hosted the annual conference of the Astana Civil Service Hub, organized jointly with the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Civil Service Affairs and UNDP on the topic “Meritocracy. Integrity. Innovations”. The conference was held within the framework of the 10th anniversary of the Astana Civil Service Hub.
Speakers of the conference opening: Alikhan Baimen - Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Astana Civil Service Hub, Larbi Djacta - Chairman of the International Civil Service Commission, Darkhan Zhazykbaev - Chairman of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Civil Service Affairs, Askhat Zhumagali - Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Katarzyna Vaviernia - Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Kazakhstan, Elsa Pilichowski - Head of the OECD Directorate for Public Governance, Pan Suk Kim - former Minister of Human Resources of Korea, International Director of the American Society for Public Administration, Yerlan Abil - Rector of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
All three days there were interesting topics, heated discussions, and a useful exchange of views.
We thank the organizers of the conference for rich and productive sessions and round tables, for the opportunity to be participants in the anniversary conference and for cooperation!
For the first time at the annual conference, a round table was held: Cultural and civilizational aspects of the development of public administration: from Lagash and Al-Farabi to the present day, where presentations were devoted to the influence of national traditions on the public administration system, cultural and civilizational aspects of public administration.
Moderators: Alikhan Baimenov, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Astana Civil Service Hub; Yerlan Abil, Rector of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Dikhan Kamzabekuly, General Director of “Egemen Qazaqstan”
Speakers:
Aliya MASALIMOVA, Vice-Rector for Scientific Activity, Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
“Philosophy of State Administration of Al-Farabi”
Aziza UMAROVA, Founder and CEO, SmartGov Consulting, Uzbekistan
“Fundamentals and Principles of Public Administration, Presented in Temur’s Codes”
Maxat KHALYK, National Expert, Lecturer, Ryskulov Kazakh Economic University, Kazakhstan
“National Economic Model of Alikhan Bokeikhan”
Abdulvahap KARA, Professor, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Türkiye
“Mustafa Chokay’s Ideas on the Characteristics of State Governance in Central Asia”
Botagoz RAKISHEVA, Scientific Consultant, Project Director, Public Opinion Research Institute, Kazakhstan
“The Concept of the Research “The Influence of National Culture on the Formation of Institutions and the Management Decision Making”
Kalamkas YESSIMOVA, Master of Anthropology and Ethnology, Analyst of the Public Opinion Research Institute spoke at the session “Building effective communications” with the topic “Channels of Communication of State Bodies with the Population: Methodology and Methods of Research”. This study of the Astana Public Service Hub was conducted by the staff of the Public Opinion Research Institute.
At the session “Presentation of new projects and publications of the Hub”, Ainur MAZHITOVA, MSS in Sociology, Deputy Director of the Public Opinion Research Institute, spoke with a presentation “Methodology of Sociological Research “Public Monitoring to Measure the Level of Satisfaction of the Population with the Quality of Socially Significant Services”, conducted by employees of the Public Opinion Research Institute commissioned by the Astana Civil Service Hub.

On May 9-10, 2023, researchers of the Public Opinion Research Institute Botagoz Rakisheva, Candidate of Sociological Sciences, and Kalamkas Yesimova, Master of Anthropology and Ethnology, spoke at the 11th International Symposium for Northeast and Central Asia Social Policy Association, organized by the Institute for Central Asian Studies of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, South Korea.
The Symposium was attended by experts, researchers of Central Asia, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Korea Aida Ismailova and acting Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea Zokir Saidov.