On October 22-24, 2024, the VIII Congress of Sociologists of Kazakhstan and the VIII Congress of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries “Issues of identity in the modern world: a sociological perspective” were held in Almaty
On October 22-24, 2024, the VIII Congress of Sociologists of Kazakhstan and the VIII Congress of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries “ISSUES OF IDENTITY IN THE MODERN WORLD: A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE” WERE HELD IN ALMATY. The event is organized by the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan (ASK), a public professional organization established in 2002 to unite scholars in the socio-humanitarian field. Since 2003, ASK has been a permanent member of the International Sociological Association (ISA).
Every three years, under the leadership of the president of ASK, who is also the president of the Union of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries, an academic of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and a Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor M.M. TAZHIN, the association gathers leading scholars and experts. The goal is to exchange data, methods, and theories across various social science disciplines to develop a more comprehensive understanding of complex social phenomena, with IDENTITY—a central topic this year—playing a key role.
Today, the concept of identity has become one of the essential categories in the socio-humanities. It is studied by sociologists, psychologists, philosophers, cultural scholars, historians, linguists, economists, and even marketers. The concept transcends disciplinary boundaries, representing an individual, social, cultural, and political phenomenon simultaneously.
The importance of strengthening national identity, along with a clear cultural and historical identity, was emphasized by President K.K. TOKAYEV during the second session of the National Kurultai in Turkestan on June 17, 2023.
Since the first Congress, the forums’ rich and comprehensive programs have provided participants not only with practical skills but also with new research ideas and expanded their professional networks.
The Congresses organized by the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan receive attention and support from the Presidential Administration, the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and relevant ministries. The consistent involvement of ISA leadership—presidents, vice-presidents, and members of its Executive Committee—reflects the authority of Kazakhstan’s Sociological Association and its significant role in the region. This participation allows Kazakhstani sociologists to stay aligned with the latest achievements and emerging trends in global sociology, applying them to modern Kazakhstani sociological science and practice.
Greetings were sent to the Congress participants by the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, M.S. ASHIMBAEV, and the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, A.G. BALAEVA.
In her welcoming speech, Professor JEAN-MARIE FRITZ, representing the International Sociological Association (ISA) on behalf of its president, Professor GEOFFREY PLEYERS, emphasized that the ISA takes great pride in the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan being one of its 85 national associations.
The president of the Association of Higher Education Institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan and rector of Turan University, R.A. Alshanov, also participated in the Congress.
Presentations were delivered by foreign scholars, including the president of the Eurasian Sociological Association and vice-president of the Union of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, and Professor at Istanbul University (Turkey, Istanbul), Hayati Tufekcioglu; the director of the Republican Center for Public Opinion Research “Ijtimoiy Fikr” (Uzbekistan, Tashkent), Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor N.K. Rakhimova; and the deputy director of the Institute of Comparative Social Research (CESSI) (Russia, Moscow), Doctor of Sociological Sciences, A.V. Andreenkova.
The Congress also featured prominent Kazakhstani sociologists, political scientists, historians, and philosophers. S.M. Akimbekov, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies, is a Candidate of Historical Sciences. A.M. A.M. Amrebayev, Director of the Center for Political Research at the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies, holds the title of Candidate of Political Sciences. S.N. Beysembayev is the Director of the PaperLab Research Center. A.K. Bisenbayev, a public figure, is a Candidate of Historical Sciences and Associate Professor. A.T. Zabirova, Chief Researcher at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a Doctor of Sociological Sciences and Professor. G.T. Ileuova, head of the "Strategy" Center for Social and Political Research, holds the title of Candidate of Sociological Sciences. E.T. Issabayev, a professor at the Eurasian Institute for Economic and Legal Research at Narxoz University, is a Candidate of Philosophical Sciences. T.B. Kaliyev, Director of the Institute of Applied Ethnopolitical Research, is a Candidate of Political Sciences. N.S. Matzhani is the Chairman of the Board of the Kazakhstan Institute for Public Development. Z.K. Shaukenova, the Scientific Director of the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan, is an Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, and Professor.
The discussion featured a presentation by the Director of the Institute of Public Policy, Candidate of Political Sciences, M.M. Nurgaliyeva.
Separate research fields are becoming interdisciplinary, blurring the boundaries between social sciences, a trend vividly demonstrated in the presentations at the Congresses. The importance of open data, the concept of open sociology, transparency in research, and the accessibility of data to the wider public were emphasized.
The development of modern Kazakhstani sociology requires building a pool of competent sociologists of a new generation, equipped with a deep understanding of theoretical frameworks and technical research skills. This professional demand is reflected in the emergence of new schools and programs for researchers and analysts in Kazakhstan. In this regard, educational activities became a key focus of the Congress of Sociologists of Kazakhstan, held as part of the YOUTH SOCIOLOGISTS FORUM (YSF). This forum traditionally took place on the first day of the Congress at the Department of Sociology and Social Work of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, moderated by the head of the department, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor G.S. Abdyraimova. A speech was delivered to the young sociologists by a member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Candidate of Sociological Sciences, Yu.V. Kuchinskaya. As part of the Youth Sociologists Forum, A.M. Sarsekeyeva and A.N. Rodionov, leaders of the Kazakhstan Sociology Lab, conducted a “Professional Development Course and Workshop from the Kazakhstan Sociology Lab.” During the forum, a new chairperson of the YSF was elected, with M.A. Akmadi, a senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, assuming the position until 2027
The Academy of Sociology of Kazakhstan was established at the Congress of Sociologists of Kazakhstan in 2005. The first members were twelve doctors of sociological and philosophical sciences, and the names of new academicians are announced exclusively at the Congresses of Sociologists. This year, the title of academician of the Academy of Sociology of Kazakhstan was awarded to Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor B.A. Aldashov, as well as A.K. Sadvokassova and G.T. Ileuova. An international member of the Academy was also named: N.K. Rakhimova from the Republic of Uzbekistan.
As part of the Congress, A PRESENTATION was held for the book "An Introduction to the Sociology of Communication", the Kazakh translation of "İletişim Sosyolojisine Başlangıç" by Professor Hayati Tufekcioglu. The relevance of this scholarly work has not diminished over time; on the contrary, it has become even more pertinent and in demand. The book is intended for professionals and those preparing to become experts in the field.
By unanimous decision, the participants of the Congress re-elected M.M. Tazhin as president of the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan (ASK) for a new term, along with vice-presidents K.U. Biyekenov and S.T. Seidumanov. A.A. Ibraimova was appointed as the Chief Scientific Secretary of ASK.
M.M. Tazhin was also re-elected as the president of the Union of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries. The re-elected vice-presidents include Hayati Tufekcioglu (Turkey), S.T. Seidumanov (Kazakhstan), and G.T. Galiyev (Bashkortostan). Newly elected vice-presidents are N.K. Rakhimova (Uzbekistan) and N.A. Omuraliyev (Kyrgyzstan).
Out of the eight Congresses of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries, three have been held by the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan in Almaty: the second Congress in 2008, the fifth in 2014, and the eighth in 2024. The timing and location of the next Congress will be decided in consultation with the heads of national sociological associations. It was also decided that the anniversary 10th Congress of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries will take place in Ankara, Turkey
The next, ninth Congress of Sociologists of Kazakhstan will be held in 2027.
Links to publications about the event in the media and social networks:
https://qazaqstan.tv/news/201459/
https://24.kz/ru/news/social/item/677157-mezhdunarodnyj-kongress-sotsiologov-proshjol-v-almaty
https://24.kz/kz/zha-aly-tar/zha-aly-tar-toptamasy/item/677181-23-azan-2024-zhyl-23-00-zha-aly-tar-toptamasy
https://egemen.kz/article/375302-aleumettik-saykestiktinh-qyr-syry
https://kaz.inform.kz/news/kazrg-sotsiologtardi-kogamdagi-kanday-maseleler-mazalaydi-10f0cc/
https://ar.inform.kz/news/qazyry-almttaneylardy-qwcamdacy-qanday-masllr-mazalaydy-492b1b/
https://vecher.kz/ru/article/v-almaty-prohodit-viii-kongress-sosiologov-kazahstana-i-tiurkoiazychnyh-stran.html
https://vecher.kz/uploads/files/2024/10/25204858000.pdf
https://ustinka.kz/kazakhstan/society/101913.html
https://ijtimoiyfikr.uz/ru/press-sentr/novosti/25674.htm
https://www.ofstrategy.kz/ru/news/item/890-viii-kongress-sotsiologov-proshel-v-almaty
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1028509882407158&id=100057444668625&rdid=9UDh02m2uhzrXGkv
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ZQ2Q9tQj1YWitkD7/
https://www.facebook.com/share/rFbX57ktTu9uXNpx/?mibextid=WC7FNe
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JqTHzp6h97KkURSv/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/9pUTKQ8Yvbb2FoDP/?mibextid=WC7FNe
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/R12wtnAXnvDB7VYs/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/vCniP6DoJUX4oqno/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/EGsr5pEHTm9GACKW/
https://www.facebook.com/nur.baigabyl/posts/
https://www.facebook.com/aigulsadvokassova/posts/-
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php/
https://www.facebook.com/assol.akisheva/posts/
Every three years, under the leadership of the president of ASK, who is also the president of the Union of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries, an academic of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and a Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor M.M. TAZHIN, the association gathers leading scholars and experts. The goal is to exchange data, methods, and theories across various social science disciplines to develop a more comprehensive understanding of complex social phenomena, with IDENTITY—a central topic this year—playing a key role.
Today, the concept of identity has become one of the essential categories in the socio-humanities. It is studied by sociologists, psychologists, philosophers, cultural scholars, historians, linguists, economists, and even marketers. The concept transcends disciplinary boundaries, representing an individual, social, cultural, and political phenomenon simultaneously.
The importance of strengthening national identity, along with a clear cultural and historical identity, was emphasized by President K.K. TOKAYEV during the second session of the National Kurultai in Turkestan on June 17, 2023.
Since the first Congress, the forums’ rich and comprehensive programs have provided participants not only with practical skills but also with new research ideas and expanded their professional networks.
The Congresses organized by the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan receive attention and support from the Presidential Administration, the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and relevant ministries. The consistent involvement of ISA leadership—presidents, vice-presidents, and members of its Executive Committee—reflects the authority of Kazakhstan’s Sociological Association and its significant role in the region. This participation allows Kazakhstani sociologists to stay aligned with the latest achievements and emerging trends in global sociology, applying them to modern Kazakhstani sociological science and practice.
Greetings were sent to the Congress participants by the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, M.S. ASHIMBAEV, and the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, A.G. BALAEVA.
In her welcoming speech, Professor JEAN-MARIE FRITZ, representing the International Sociological Association (ISA) on behalf of its president, Professor GEOFFREY PLEYERS, emphasized that the ISA takes great pride in the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan being one of its 85 national associations.
The president of the Association of Higher Education Institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan and rector of Turan University, R.A. Alshanov, also participated in the Congress.
Presentations were delivered by foreign scholars, including the president of the Eurasian Sociological Association and vice-president of the Union of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, and Professor at Istanbul University (Turkey, Istanbul), Hayati Tufekcioglu; the director of the Republican Center for Public Opinion Research “Ijtimoiy Fikr” (Uzbekistan, Tashkent), Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor N.K. Rakhimova; and the deputy director of the Institute of Comparative Social Research (CESSI) (Russia, Moscow), Doctor of Sociological Sciences, A.V. Andreenkova.
The Congress also featured prominent Kazakhstani sociologists, political scientists, historians, and philosophers. S.M. Akimbekov, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies, is a Candidate of Historical Sciences. A.M. A.M. Amrebayev, Director of the Center for Political Research at the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies, holds the title of Candidate of Political Sciences. S.N. Beysembayev is the Director of the PaperLab Research Center. A.K. Bisenbayev, a public figure, is a Candidate of Historical Sciences and Associate Professor. A.T. Zabirova, Chief Researcher at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a Doctor of Sociological Sciences and Professor. G.T. Ileuova, head of the "Strategy" Center for Social and Political Research, holds the title of Candidate of Sociological Sciences. E.T. Issabayev, a professor at the Eurasian Institute for Economic and Legal Research at Narxoz University, is a Candidate of Philosophical Sciences. T.B. Kaliyev, Director of the Institute of Applied Ethnopolitical Research, is a Candidate of Political Sciences. N.S. Matzhani is the Chairman of the Board of the Kazakhstan Institute for Public Development. Z.K. Shaukenova, the Scientific Director of the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan, is an Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, and Professor.
The discussion featured a presentation by the Director of the Institute of Public Policy, Candidate of Political Sciences, M.M. Nurgaliyeva.
Separate research fields are becoming interdisciplinary, blurring the boundaries between social sciences, a trend vividly demonstrated in the presentations at the Congresses. The importance of open data, the concept of open sociology, transparency in research, and the accessibility of data to the wider public were emphasized.
The development of modern Kazakhstani sociology requires building a pool of competent sociologists of a new generation, equipped with a deep understanding of theoretical frameworks and technical research skills. This professional demand is reflected in the emergence of new schools and programs for researchers and analysts in Kazakhstan. In this regard, educational activities became a key focus of the Congress of Sociologists of Kazakhstan, held as part of the YOUTH SOCIOLOGISTS FORUM (YSF). This forum traditionally took place on the first day of the Congress at the Department of Sociology and Social Work of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, moderated by the head of the department, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor G.S. Abdyraimova. A speech was delivered to the young sociologists by a member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Candidate of Sociological Sciences, Yu.V. Kuchinskaya. As part of the Youth Sociologists Forum, A.M. Sarsekeyeva and A.N. Rodionov, leaders of the Kazakhstan Sociology Lab, conducted a “Professional Development Course and Workshop from the Kazakhstan Sociology Lab.” During the forum, a new chairperson of the YSF was elected, with M.A. Akmadi, a senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, assuming the position until 2027
The Academy of Sociology of Kazakhstan was established at the Congress of Sociologists of Kazakhstan in 2005. The first members were twelve doctors of sociological and philosophical sciences, and the names of new academicians are announced exclusively at the Congresses of Sociologists. This year, the title of academician of the Academy of Sociology of Kazakhstan was awarded to Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor B.A. Aldashov, as well as A.K. Sadvokassova and G.T. Ileuova. An international member of the Academy was also named: N.K. Rakhimova from the Republic of Uzbekistan.
As part of the Congress, A PRESENTATION was held for the book "An Introduction to the Sociology of Communication", the Kazakh translation of "İletişim Sosyolojisine Başlangıç" by Professor Hayati Tufekcioglu. The relevance of this scholarly work has not diminished over time; on the contrary, it has become even more pertinent and in demand. The book is intended for professionals and those preparing to become experts in the field.
By unanimous decision, the participants of the Congress re-elected M.M. Tazhin as president of the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan (ASK) for a new term, along with vice-presidents K.U. Biyekenov and S.T. Seidumanov. A.A. Ibraimova was appointed as the Chief Scientific Secretary of ASK.
M.M. Tazhin was also re-elected as the president of the Union of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries. The re-elected vice-presidents include Hayati Tufekcioglu (Turkey), S.T. Seidumanov (Kazakhstan), and G.T. Galiyev (Bashkortostan). Newly elected vice-presidents are N.K. Rakhimova (Uzbekistan) and N.A. Omuraliyev (Kyrgyzstan).
Out of the eight Congresses of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries, three have been held by the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan in Almaty: the second Congress in 2008, the fifth in 2014, and the eighth in 2024. The timing and location of the next Congress will be decided in consultation with the heads of national sociological associations. It was also decided that the anniversary 10th Congress of Sociologists of Turkic-speaking Countries will take place in Ankara, Turkey
The next, ninth Congress of Sociologists of Kazakhstan will be held in 2027.
Links to publications about the event in the media and social networks:
https://qazaqstan.tv/news/201459/
https://24.kz/ru/news/social/item/677157-mezhdunarodnyj-kongress-sotsiologov-proshjol-v-almaty
https://24.kz/kz/zha-aly-tar/zha-aly-tar-toptamasy/item/677181-23-azan-2024-zhyl-23-00-zha-aly-tar-toptamasy
https://egemen.kz/article/375302-aleumettik-saykestiktinh-qyr-syry
https://kaz.inform.kz/news/kazrg-sotsiologtardi-kogamdagi-kanday-maseleler-mazalaydi-10f0cc/
https://ar.inform.kz/news/qazyry-almttaneylardy-qwcamdacy-qanday-masllr-mazalaydy-492b1b/
https://vecher.kz/ru/article/v-almaty-prohodit-viii-kongress-sosiologov-kazahstana-i-tiurkoiazychnyh-stran.html
https://vecher.kz/uploads/files/2024/10/25204858000.pdf
https://ustinka.kz/kazakhstan/society/101913.html
https://ijtimoiyfikr.uz/ru/press-sentr/novosti/25674.htm
https://www.ofstrategy.kz/ru/news/item/890-viii-kongress-sotsiologov-proshel-v-almaty
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1028509882407158&id=100057444668625&rdid=9UDh02m2uhzrXGkv
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ZQ2Q9tQj1YWitkD7/
https://www.facebook.com/share/rFbX57ktTu9uXNpx/?mibextid=WC7FNe
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JqTHzp6h97KkURSv/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/9pUTKQ8Yvbb2FoDP/?mibextid=WC7FNe
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/R12wtnAXnvDB7VYs/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/vCniP6DoJUX4oqno/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/EGsr5pEHTm9GACKW/
https://www.facebook.com/nur.baigabyl/posts/
https://www.facebook.com/aigulsadvokassova/posts/-
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php/
https://www.facebook.com/assol.akisheva/posts/