The Republican Scientific and Practical Conference “The Role of Education and Science in Reducing Poverty”

On November 24, 2025, in Almaty at the al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science the Republican Scientific and Practical Conference “The Role of Education and Science in Reducing Poverty” began its work. The conference is organized within the framework of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and will continue until November 28, 2025.

The organizers of the conference include the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science of al-Farabi Kazakh National University and al-Farabi Kazakh National University’s scientific centres, including the Center for Sociological Research and Social Engineering, the Centre for Sustainable Development in Central Asia Hongkong Polkytechnic University-al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The Department of Sociology and Social Work actively integrated into the conference by initiating an additional block of scientific events aimed at a comprehensive analysis of factors determining the dynamics of poverty in modern society.

At the plenary session the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science of al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor Meirbayev B.; the Head of the Department of Sociology and Social Work of al-Farabi Kazakh National University, doctor of sociological sciences, professor Abdiraiymova G., doctor of sociological sciences, professor Sadyrova M. In their presentations, professors emphasized the structural and institutional determinants of poverty, examined the influence of social inequality, access to education, and the state of the healthcare system on the reproduction of vulnerable population groups, and highlighted the key challenges facing Kazakhstan in the context of achieving the SDGs.

After the plenary session, the conference continued its work in the section “National Health - A Guarantee of Sustainable Development and the Future of an Independent Country,” where one of the most significant aspects affecting the level of poverty - the state of public health as a social resource for sustainable development was discussed.

The program of the section included:

-       presentations by invited experts;

-       interactive tasks aimed at developing analytical skills;

-       quizzes, competitions, and handout materials.

Representatives of the following organizations shared their experience and expert opinions:

-       Public Association “Kazakhstan Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health” (KMPA);

-       National Commission on Women’s Affairs and Family-Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

-       “Chevron” company;

-       Eurasian Women’s HIV/AIDS Network;

-       Almaty AIDS Center.

The faculty and students of the department of sociology and social work demonstrated a high level of engagement, actively participating in discussions on public health, sustainable development, and the potential of education as a mechanism for poverty reduction.

The section was organized by first-year PhD students of the department of sociology and Social Work- Ospanbek N., Primbetova Sh., and Abshenova L. who prepared the event as part of their teaching practice. It is worth noting that the conference once again demonstrated that the health of the nation, the quality of education, and scientific research potential form the foundation of sustainable development and are key conditions for reducing poverty.