Open advisory hour on UN SDGs 4 and 16 "Rights and Duties: The Responsibility of Every Citizen"

On March 13, 2026, as part of her teaching internship, Master's student A.A. Nurmashova held an open advisory hour for first-year students on the topic "Rights and Duties: The Responsibility of Every Citizen."
The relevance of this topic stems from the need to develop sustainable legal guidelines among young people in a dynamically changing society, strengthening the role of civic responsibility and legal literacy. Understanding the relationship between rights and responsibilities is essential for developing socially responsible individuals capable of constructive interaction in a rule-of-law state. The session focused on compliance with legal norms, the relationship between rights and responsibilities, and the role of the individual in maintaining law and order and social stability.



The session examined key aspects of legal awareness, including the concepts of "rights" and "responsibilities," the fundamental rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the specifics of students' legal status in higher education. Particular emphasis was placed on analyzing the interdependence of rights and responsibilities as a fundamental principle for the sustainable functioning of society. The key questions posed during the lesson were:
– What is the importance of human rights in society?
– What problems can arise in society if people fail to fulfill their responsibilities?
– What is the relationship between rights and responsibilities?
– What are the main responsibilities of students at the university?



The interactive format of the lesson encouraged active student engagement in the discussion. During the discussion, participants not only answered the questions posed but also analyzed real-life social situations, which deepened their understanding of the role of legal culture and responsibility in society.
A video demonstration, "What are human rights and why do we need them?", served as an additional tool for fostering a critical understanding of the topic. During the discussion, students expressed their opinions and analyzed the importance of legal culture in society.
Overall, the open advisory hour was aimed at improving students' legal literacy and developing their understanding of civic responsibility. The event aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 4 "Quality Education" and SDG 16 "Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions," by promoting the development of legal literacy and civic competencies among students.

Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
Master's Supervisor: Associate Professor N.A. Altybaeva, PhD (Biology)