Very important guests from UN have visited Al-Farabi University
Estimated guests visited al-Farabi university
At the al-Farabi Kazakh National University was a meeting of students and university professors with honorable guests, the United Nations' representatives. A head of the Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia Petko Draganov in the form of entertaining dialogue with the audience spoke about the current security threats and the role of preventive diplomacy in overcoming them. Also interesting lecture shared Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Kazakhstan Norimasa Shimomura.
Impressive interactive discussion was provided by Mr. Draganov who touched the security questions which are, according to his words, the most actual concerns in foreign and internal state affairs. Information, economic, military, water and more other spheres of security, which are to be solved by governments, are interconnected and they need complex solutions in order to prevent conflicts. The field of such questions has the Regional Center for preventive diplomacy in Central Asia. According to the guest, the purpose of the structure is to support the Government of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in building their capacity in conflict prevention by enhancing dialogue, building confidence and establishing a real partnership to respond to existing threats and potential challenges in the Central Asian region.
Mr. Shimomura, in his turn, shared the information on the objectives of sustainable development goals, adopted in September 2015. According to his opinion, these goals are attainable and realistic, but if every citizen will contribute to their implementation. Also Mr.Norimasa Shimomura identified the main important difference between the new program (SDG) from the old (MDG). The difference is in the collegial decision adoption. Experts, officials, representatives of non-governmental sector from around the world participated in the development of the abovementioned strategy. The practical significance for students was part of the guest’s minds on how this strategy will be implemented on the ground. Mr. Shimomura said that "every goal of the program will be adapted to the specific conditions of the country" and maybe some priority goals will be more, and some less significant depending on the level of development of this issue in a particular country. Mr. Shimomura noted the importance of involving every country, every nation, every person in the realization of these goals and objectives. High-ranking guests are calling to be active and sympathetic to the fate of the world development. In particular, they noted the youth as the main force and the potential for the construction of the future shape of our planet.
At the meeting, students and professors had the opportunity to ask questions regarding the regional and country programs of the United Nations, to discuss the possible contribution of youth in the development of the country and get answers at firsthand about the important and urgent issues on the global agenda. Especially students were interested in the future development of the UN Global Hub, for which the guests expressed their support and confidence in its positive future. His interest in the event showed a visiting professor at the Faculty of International Relations Mr. Winston Nagan, who noted the usefulness of such meetings of the UN representatives with the academic community.
After the performances the first vice-rector M.M. Burkitbayev presented commemorative gifts and expressed the hope for further cooperation. The meeting ended on a very positive note: the UN guests were invited by the students of International Relations faculty for the annual international model United Nations, which will be held this spring at the Al - Farabi Kazakh National University and will be held with the support of the Regional Resource Centre of the United Nations and by the students themselves.
