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IFES - Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is in the process of transforming itself into a modern state that wields influence in Central Asia commensurate with its resource potential, size, location and self-image as a leader. This process has brought about new challenges, including fulfilling President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s “2030” project, which aims to produce a democratically minded population fully engaged in the political process within the next 25 years. Despite this goal, democracy-strengthening initiatives lag behind economic programs, and the political opposition has questioned the integrity of recent elections. On December 3, 2005, the will of the electorate will be tested in a presidential election in which President Nazarbayev will seek a new term in office. The ability of opposition candidates to register and campaign will be a barometer of just how far political reform has come in the country’s 14 years of independence.

IFES has worked in Kazakhstan, primarily under USAID funding, since 1994--conducting projects of civic education, civil society development and technical election assistance. Since 1998, IFES has been engaged in civic education projects for high school students, developing a textbook and several interactive student classroom and extracurricular projects. Successful piloting of these projects has led to their adaptation by IFES for use in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and proposed use in Uzbekistan.

Past Projects

Educating Active Citizens (2000-2006)

In Kazakhstan, IFES supported Student Action Committee groups and Democracy Summer Camps as a means to educate students and offer them hands-on experience in solving community problems.