SDG 16: Law and Order: Ignorance of the Law Does Not Exempt from Responsibility

At the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science, a curatorial hour was held to foster legal culture among youth and promote the ideology of “Law and Order.” The event involved second-year students of the Psychology program and was organized under the guidance of advisor Aidos Makhmutov.

The advisor emphasized that this event played a particularly important role in enhancing students’ legal awareness and developing their legal culture.

During the event, students were shown the documentary “SALT”. The main purpose of the film was to demonstrate the harm caused by drug use and to reveal its consequences on human life. The screening highlighted the development of addiction, formation of addictive behavior, and situations leading to criminal liability with concrete examples.

Following the screening, students participated in discussions and analytical activities, reflecting on the ideas and conclusions arising from the film. During the session, Rustam H., a formerly convicted individual who served his sentence in a correctional facility in Petropavl, shared his personal experience. For ethical reasons, his full name is not disclosed, as he was under the supervision of the probation service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and registered with a local inspector at his permanent residence. Furthermore, no personal information about the speaker was disclosed at his request.

The speaker openly described difficult periods in his life and explained, with concrete examples, how drug use could lead a person to commit illegal acts. He also stressed that respecting the law and maintaining societal order are the primary duties of every citizen. Through the documentary and the speaker’s testimony, students gained insights into the negative impact of drugs on personal development, physiological and psychological health, as well as the harsh realities of life in correctional facilities.

During the session, students actively asked questions and attentively listened to the speaker. His speech had a profound impact, encouraging students to reflect on living within the framework of the law, understanding their responsibilities to society, and recognizing the dangers of drug use. The event vividly demonstrated the relevance of the principle “Ignorance of the law does not exempt from responsibility.”

The curatorial hour made a significant contribution to enhancing students’ legal awareness, fostering civic responsibility, and promoting preventive education against drug use. The event encouraged young people to respect the law, maintain order, and understand their responsibilities to society. Such initiatives effectively support the university’s core mission of cultivating students’ moral, legal, and social culture.