Open Dialogue in Schools: Al-Farabi KazNU Fights Extremism Through Education

From October 14 to 16, 2025, the Department of Religious Studies and Cultural Studies of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University held a series of educational and awareness-raising events in the schools-gyms of the Zhetysu district — No. 181, No. 2, No. 3, No. 102, and No. 103 — as part of the doctoral students’ pedagogical practice.

The main goal of these events was to foster critical thinking, civic responsibility, and resilience to destructive ideologies among school students — skills that are particularly vital in the context of the digital environment and informational manipulation.

Key aspects of the awareness-raising activities included:

• Video demonstrations: focusing on the influence of social media and online content on youth worldviews and explaining hidden forms of radicalization.
• Introduction to Religious Studies: highlighting the role of this field in strengthening interfaith dialogue, preventing conflicts, and fostering the spiritual development of society.
• Interactive format: encouraging active participation of students, teachers, and school administration through open discussions, questions, and dialogue.

The awareness-raising activities conducted by the students and doctoral candidates of the department not only contributed to the prevention of extremism but also enhanced their pedagogical communication, public speaking, and analytical skills.

Organizers: Professor K.M. Borbasova and T.Zh. Kairanbai, 1st-year doctoral student in Cultural Studies.