USRN SUMMER SCHOOL IN KAZNU

Al-Farabi KazNU in the framework of the University Social Responsibility Network (USRN) organized the International Summer School «Diversity and Social Justice in Social Work: Research, Practice and Education». It was attended by students of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Simon Fraser University (Canada), University of Pretoria (South Africa) and KazNU. Students from regional Universities of Kazakhstan also had an opportunity to participate in it.

In 2019, KazNU became a member of the University Social Responsibility Network (USRN), which brings together such leading HEIs in the world as Manchester University (UK), Beijing University (China), Hong Kong Polytechnic University and others.

The main objective of the Summer School is to promote the formation of knowledge and skills related to increasing diversity and differences in the practice of social work, promoting human rights, social and economic justice, as well as spreading the ethics of peace and non-violence in society. The organizer of the event - the Department of Sociology and Social Work of KazNU with the support of the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - the Leader of the Nation, prepared for students a five-day program that includes lectures, seminars and training by the experts from the USA, Ireland and Kazakhstan.

Welcoming guests at the official opening ceremony of the School, Vice-Rector of KazNU, Professor Sholpan Jamanbalayeva highlighted the importance of creating by Universities conditions for students so that they can actively participate in the public life of the local community. This gives them opportunity to practice not only their knowledge, but also values and beliefs. Thus, Universities simultaneously successfully teach their students and help to solve big social problems.

Sergey Tokhtarov, Director of the Representative Office of the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty, expressed confidence that «all participants of the Summer School will gain new skills in the field of social work and research, and will be inspired to apply their knowledge in solving social problems in their own countries».

«We believe that diversity and social justice are important components of all open societies, knowledge of which enriches everyone’s experience», said in her speech Gulmira Abdirayimova, Head of the Department of Sociology and Social Work.

Participants of the International Summer School attended lectures and master classes by the following scientists - Robert Gilligan (Trinity College, Ireland), Zhunisbai Azamat (Pizzer College, the USA), as well as Ulzhan Kazybekova (KazNU) and Gulnara Zhakupova (Center for Studying Global Health in Central Asia) from Kazakhstan.

The discussion focused on such topics as social work with vulnerable youth, assisting resilience in child and family social work, combining working mothers with childcare, environmental models in social work practices and etc.

At student sessions, participants from foreign and Kazakhstani Universities presented their social projects. Among them is the «Blue Drop» project, aimed at providing access to flowing water for secondary schools and local communities through the manufacture of plastic water containers. The project «Blindfolds» was developed by students to promote social integration by breaking down gender, ethnic, racial, and other stereotypes in societies.

Great interest was also attracted by projects dedicated to marking the borders of Soviet Central Asia, audio description of technologies for blind people that help to adapt to everyday life, social adaptation of orphan students in institutions of higher education, social justice in gaining access to housing, the role of mentoring in the practice of orphans, social rehabilitation of children with special needs, and the development of student volunteering, etc.

The participants of the Summer School also visited the city centers for the provision of social assistance to various social groups - the public foundation «Mother’s House» and the Shelter of victims of domestic violence – «ARASHA» at the Institute of Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities of Kazakhstan. There, students learned about the problems and challenges faced by Kazakhstan’s social workers and social services and about innovative ways to solve them.

As part of the Summer School program there was organized the screening of drama «Aika», which tells the story of a young girl from Central Asia who came to Russia to work, and who was forced to leave her newborn child in the hospital. After watching the film, students discussed various problems and challenges of big cities, as well as social work technologies, social services to assist migrant workers and other socially vulnerable groups.

At the official closing of the International Summer School, participants and speakers were presented with certificates and diplomas.

It should be noted that the Summer School has become not only a good educational platform, but also helped to establish new professional contacts and generate ideas for further research projects. The multinational composition of students and teachers has created an enriching environment for expanding and deepening the understanding of social problems and the integration of young researchers into an interdisciplinary professional community.

The School participants were also impressed by city tours, during which they familiarized themselves with the main sightseeing of Almaty, reflecting the rich cultural and historical heritage of Kazakh people and practices, which strengthen diversity, peace, harmony and friendship in the local community.

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