On May 19, 2022, the scientific-practical conference “New Kazakhstan: constitutional reforms and transformation of the model of social development” was held in Almaty

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their professional activities, the members of the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan, together with scientists from the Institute for Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies, held on May 19, 2022 a republican scientific-practical conference on constitutional reforms “NEW KAZAKHSTAN: CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS AND TRANSFORMATION OF THE MODEL OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT”.

The conference was moderated by Vice-President of the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan Seidumanov Serik Turarovich – General Director of the Institute for Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The conference was attended by the Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aigul Kuspan, deputies of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aidos Sarym, Zhuldyz Suleimenova, as well as leading experts in the field of sociology and related social sciences, representing research organizations and higher education institutions in the country. Leading scientists and domestic experts, assessing the upcoming constitutional changes, had a productive exchange of views and made recommendations on topical issues of constitutional reform and political-legal aspects of New Kazakhstan, which concern many compatriots. In addition, the participants of the scientific-practical conference determined organizational tasks and updated the goals of sociological organizations for the future.

Before the start of the conference, the conference participants listened to the texts of greetings on behalf of the Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Balaeva A.G. and President of the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Czech Republic Tazhin M.M.

As noted in the greeting of the Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balaeva, ASC has established itself as one of the most authoritative public organizations in the country, which brings together leading scientists and experts in the field of sociology and related sciences. An interested dialogue between the Kazakhstani sociological community and the state contributes to the improvement of measures to support and develop sociological knowledge, to strengthen the contribution of the scientific and expert community to the construction of New Kazakhstan.

In the greeting of the President of the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Czech Republic, Marat Tazhin, it was noted that the conference agenda contained a very important and relevant topic for our country. In the course of the discussion, it is important to develop recommendations and proposals useful for the state and society on overcoming “pain points” and implementing the optimal scenario for the country’s social development.

Seidumanov S.T. in his opening remarks, he noted that the political and legal basis for achieving the goals set by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Tokayev K.-J.K. goals are constitutional reforms, formalized properly through the legitimate will of the people. In his opinion, this event not only forms the agenda of the new “political season” in the country, but also represents the next stage in the modern history of Kazakhstan, opening up new horizons and prospects for modern statehood.

During the discussion, the conference participants noted that the demanded activity of the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan is aimed at consolidating the professional expert community and developing sociological knowledge in the interests of nation building. A key area of work of the ASK is to strengthen the contribution of the expert community to the scientific and analytical support of reforms in New Kazakhstan. On the ASK platform, 7 national sociological congresses, two Congresses of sociologists of the Turkic-speaking world, more than ten international conferences were held, which were unique platforms for expert exchange of views in the field of the socio-political and international development agenda of the country. An intercountry scientific journal is being published, and a Forum of Young Sociologists has been established.

The historical importance of the Message of the President K.-J.K. Tokayev to the people of Kazakhstan dated March 16, 2022, which launched intensive socio-political transformations in the country. The conference participants decided to take an active part in the creative process of building New Kazakhstan and the Second Republic. The speakers of the conference presented some fragments of the sociological forecasts for the upcoming national referendum on the Constitution on June 5 this year.

At the end of the conference, the presentation of the encyclopedic publication “Sociology in Kazakhstan” and the solemn ceremony of awarding members of the ASK took place. Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor Lilia Yusupovna Zainieva was awarded the title and medal «Enbek ardageri». The members of the ASC were awarded high awards by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Medal «Honorary Worker of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan» («Почетный работник образования РК») - Alua Zholdybalina, «S.Altynsarin» - Gulmira Abdirayymova, Zulfiya Valitova, Sergei Konovalov. Badges «For contribution to the development of science of the Republic of Kazakhstan» («За вклад в развитие науки РК»): Gulnafis Abdikerova, Aiman Zhusupova, Botagoz Kaipova, Zhanna Karimova, Assel Nazarbetova, Madina Nurgalieva, Sabina Sadieva. The Medal of the Association of Higher Educational Institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan named after Akhmet Baitursynov was awarded to professors of Al-Farabi KazNU Lilia Zainieva and Mansia Sadyrova. The heads of the Center for Business Information, Sociological and Marketing Research "BISAM-CentralAsia", the Center for Social and Political Studies "STRATEGY", BRIFResearchGroup, the Institute of Democracy, the Research Institute «Kogamdyk Pikir», the Center for the Study of Public Opinion of the department of Sociology of al-Farabi Kazakh National University and ENU named after L.N. Gumilyov , were awarded letters of thanks by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan A.G. Balayeva. Letters of gratitude from the President of the ASK were presented to the General Director of BISAM-CentralAsia Tatyana Otenko, Chief Researcher of the IPhPR, Professor Elena Burova, Professor of Abai KazNPU Maidan Abishev, Chief Expert of IMEP Aiman Zhusupova, Deputy Director of CIOM Aizhan Shabdenova, Associate Professors of Al-Farabi KazNU to Alexei Verevkin and Indira Sarybayeva.