Inter-ethnic relations will be transformed

The Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan intends to introduce new methods and approaches its activities in the field of inter-ethnic relations. This was announced today by Vice Minister of Information and Social Development S. Egizbayev during a meeting of the methodological council on improving the effectiveness of activities in the field of inter-ethnic relations for regional MSI "Kogamdyk kelisim" and Friendship Houses.

The methodological council was attended by Deputy Chairman - Head of the Secretariat of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan M. Azilkhanov, Chairman of the Committee for the Development of Inter-Ethnic Relations of the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan G. Shoikin and other heads of relevant committees and subordinate organizations of the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Opening the event, M. Azilkhanov stressed the important role of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and all its structures in strengthening the country’s unity and drew the attention of participants to the need to apply modern approaches in the implementation of state policy in the field of inter-ethnic relations:

"In order to fulfill the instructions of the Head of State, work has been carried out to reformat the management structure of the interethnic sphere at the regional level.

The composition of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan and its Council has been updated, work has been carried out to assign responsibilities to public deputies in the regions, as well as to regulate and specify their activities. Each of the deputies of the Mazhilis elected from the Assembly is assigned a specific direction of work.

I want to emphasize that Friendship Houses should become a material, technical and organizational resource base for informational and organizational support of public (people's) projects of the APK", M.Azilkhanov said.

In turn, Vice Minister S. Segizbayev noted that recent events in society and changes in the life of the country have set a new direction in the further development of civil society and the sphere of inter-ethnic relations.

This year, it is necessary to promote specific educational, social and community projects aimed at reviving social values. Broad support for projects aimed at preserving the integrity of the country and strengthening internal unity is also important.

Therefore, it is necessary to increase the effectiveness of information and education work among target groups, to involve youth and youth organizations in the activities of Friendship Houses, to promote the transformation of the State language into the language of inter-ethnic communication», said the speaker.

According to him, in this area it is also necessary to strengthen systematic work aimed at unemployed youth, to support them in the implementation of projects related to obtaining additional education, employment.

The Vice Minister also identified as one of the priority areas in this area the active use of the opportunities of social networks, including Telegram, YouTube, TikTok to popularize national values and instill patriotic qualities of young people.

At the same time, S. Egysbaev drew attention to the weak use of the mechanism of State social procurement and grant funding on inter-ethnic issues for local non-governmental organizations at the regional level.

In view of this fact, he called for strengthening of communication with the institutions of civil society and added that the Ministry of Information and Social Development will introduce a system of evaluation of the performance of the regional MSI "Kogamdyk kelisim" in the identified directions.

"At present in work on inter-ethnics it is necessary to depart from the former «solemn» and «festive» style in holding events. It is necessary to focus on the search for new methods. For example: educational, volunteer, charitable projects etc." - has concluded S.Egizbaev.

In turn, Chairman of the Committee for the Development of Inter-Ethnic Relations of the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan G. Shoikin made a report on the prevention of the spread of "hate speech", including in social networks and the Internet space and methods of countering language that promotes intolerance and incites violence.

In the final part of his speech, G. Shoikin presented specific recommendations on the adoption of joint measures by the state and civil society.

The director of the MSI "Kogamdyk kelisim" of the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan G. Kusmangali outlined a number of tasks for the heads of regional MSI and Friendship Houses for 2022. In particular, the intensification of work with ethno-cultural associations, reformatting the activities of public structures of the APK in the field, the widespread use of new media tools in the course of explaining the work being done.

Also at the meeting of the methodological council, topical issues of information coverage of interethnic topics, support for youth initiatives and the implementation of youth projects, expansion of interaction with ethno-cultural associations and non-governmental organizations, using such mechanisms as state social order, grants and so on were considered.

It should be noted that this event was organized in order to fulfill the instructions of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Chairman of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan K.Tokayev on the implementation of measures to strengthen interethnic harmony, announced at the meeting of the Council of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan on October 21, 2021.