Interethnic Harmony and Peace: Uniqueness of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s model of interethnic harmony and peace has become a way of life, a moral imperative, an invaluable wealth, and an asset of the country. Today the very diverse and culturally enriched society lives in harmony and is proud of their common heritage, their common home and strive for prosperity of their nation.

 

The successful formula of preserving unity and stability within the society is a known competitive advantage of Kazakhstan and proves to be a feasible mechanism that produces tangible outcomes. It gives the right to promote peace and security in the region through the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, and across the world through the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

 

The Assembly of People of Kazakhstan exists since this country’s independence and represents interests of all ethnic groups of the nation and has its permanent seats at the Parliament.

 

On April 26-27, the unified people of Kazakhstan are focused on the key moments of Assembly’s XXXII session with “Fair Kazakhstan: unity, stability, and development" agenda. In the era of turbulence and increasing geopolitical tension, the preservation of an effective model of interethnic harmony is one of the priorities of a multinational country like Kazakhstan.

 

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev started his speech with a vital thesis on the role of genuine democracy, which creates conditions for the progressive progress of the nation and the rooting of the idea of citizenship. The country’s leader emphasized that the society of Kazakhstan is a union of free and responsible citizens united by common ideals and values.

 

Kazakhstan has become a common home for representatives of more than 100 ethnic groups, the active migration influx began with the Silk Road period and intensified during the Soviet period. In the most difficult times, the Kazakhs sheltered and supported all the arrivals.

 

“None of the strategic tasks can be accomplished without strengthening civil unity, national identity and ethno-social integrity,” highlighted President Tokayev.

 

Kazakhstan, which is undergoing unprecedented transformations aimed primarily at improving the lives of citizens, “supports active and responsible citizens who are able to resist any manifestations of radicalism, extremism and separatism,” he said.

 

The President also focused on the role of the Kazakh language as an instrument of civic integration, stressing that the desire to master it “should become the daily norm”.