Center of SDG’s & ESG
Center for the Development of Civil Society is currently transforming into the Center of SDG’s & ESG
Contacts:
Nurgaliyev Ainar | Нургалиев Айнар
Директор Центра Устойчивого Развития
Director of Sustainable Development Center
Email: a.nurgaliyev@almau.edu.kz
Sustainable Development Goals in AlmaU
The primary mission of SDG Legion revolves around the promotion, dissemination, and implementation of the SDGs on the campus of Almaty Management University and in other universities of Kazakhstan, where the organization is presumably established. Comprising a cadre of enthusiastic and dedicated students, SDG Legion aims to instill a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship among its members, cultivating a new generation of professionals who not only strive for individual success but also harbor genuine concerns for societal well-being and environmental sustainability.
SDG Legion Projects
The First Women's Forum
Almaty Management University (AlmaU) successfully hosted the First Youth Forum, "Innovative Solutions and Leadership in ESG and UN SDGs," on December 2, 2022. The event was organized by the Center for Sustainable Development and ESG AlmaU, dedicated to engaging youth in the implementation of the UN SDGs and ESG.
The forum aimed to acquaint the active youth of Almaty with the concept of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and establish a platform for the exchange of experiences, scientific discoveries, research results, and collaborative development of new ideas. During this event, participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with mechanisms for addressing social and environmental issues, acquire essential knowledge, and learn from experts in the corporate sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on SDGs and ESG issues.
The AlmaU Center for Sustainable Development organized the first Women's Forum. Leadership, gender equality and the fight against violence against women.
On April 4 of this year, the first women's forum for young girls was held at AlmaU University, which is dedicated to the topics of career success, women's psychology, leadership and touched upon such socially significant issues as gender equality and the fight against violence.
The event consisted of panel discussions in which experienced and successful women from various fields, including business, politics and activism, spoke. Such important topics as gender equality, violence against women and girls, and career success were discussed. These topics were discussed by invited speakers of the forum: Zhanar Sekerbayeva (founder of the Women's Rights Advocacy Foundation "Feminita", Elvira Zubareva (founder of the project that helped more than 500 women of Kazakhstan, "You are not alone"), Aida Alzhanova (specialist in international relations, having experience in the UN, USAID, OSCE), Mira Ungarova (activist, founder and presenter of the author's podcast, head of the social part of the Tozbe.app project), Anastasia Lipovka (expert on gender, economics and society, author of research: "The influence of gender on the choice of STEM specialties", "Gender discrimination in employment in the Republic of Kazakhstan", "Gender segregation of labor in higher education in Kazakhstan"), Lesya Karatayeva (Doctor of Historical Sciences, specialist in international Relations, research interest in gender sensitive processes and gender equality), Victoria Torgunakova (General Director of the online ticket sales service "Ticketon"), Aida Isaeva (founder of the handmade jewelry brand "Tomiris Jewellery").
Studies related to gender equality and violence in society were also presented. Special attention was paid to the research related to the harassment of girls and girls in public transport. The results of this study will be presented for the first time at the Women's Forum by active participants of the SDG Legion Student Club at the AlmaU Center for Sustainable Development.
Moreover, an interactive show program and a coffee break for networking between guests and speakers of the event were organized.
Stickers and badges dedicated to the topics of gender equality and combating violence were available to visitors from the partners of the "Afew Kazakhstan" forum.
"We believe that such a forum will become a wonderful platform for young girls who are interested in gender equality, business, politics and the fight against violence. We hope that this forum helped the participants to broaden their horizons, exchange experiences and get motivated to achieve their goals," said Ainar Nurgaliyev, Director of the AlmaU Center for Sustainable Development.
The Women's Forum for Young Girls is a great opportunity for all interested parties to discuss important topics related to gender equality, business and the fight against violence.
First Youth Forum
Almaty Management University (AlmaU) successfully hosted the First Youth Forum, "Innovative Solutions and Leadership in ESG and UN SDGs," on December 2, 2022. The event was organized by the Center for Sustainable Development and ESG AlmaU, dedicated to engaging youth in the implementation of the UN SDGs and ESG.
The active participation of youth in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals remains integral to addressing the global challenges of the XXI century. In the midst of global turbulence, the training of socially responsible ESG leaders in democratic Kazakhstan stands as a priority.
The forum aimed to acquaint the active youth of Almaty with the concept of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and establish a platform for the exchange of experiences, scientific discoveries, research results, and collaborative development of new ideas. During this event, participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with mechanisms for addressing social and environmental issues, acquire essential knowledge, and learn from experts in the corporate sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on SDGs and ESG issues.
Distinguished figures from academia, international organizations, NGOs, and the corporate sector took part in the event as speakers and participants. Partners such as Air Astana JSC, ERG group, Huawei, and others contributed to the success of the forum. A workshop conducted by representatives of the TikTok association "YOLO House" on the topic of "New Fundraising Trends on the TikTok Platform" also enriched the event. The forum served as a unique platform for the exchange of opinions and best practices.
Launching at Satbayev University!
Join us on the journey to a more sustainable future! Together we can do more!
We want to share the wonderful moments of the SDG Ambition Accelerator seminar, organized in partnership with the UN Global Compact and Satpayev University! More than 40 Central Asian companies gathered at Satpayev University to discuss strategies for integrating 17 Sustainable Development Goals into their activities. On this day, our university was visited by representatives of such influential companies as Freedom Holding Corp., namely JSC HALYK BANK, Kazatomprom JSC, MFO "Swiss Capital", etc.
AKC Accelerator SDG Ambition is a unique educational course developed by UN experts that helps business companies accelerate the integration of Sustainable Development Goals into their strategy and operational activities. The program, which is being held for the fourth time in 2023, has proven its effectiveness by bringing together participants from all over the world. Over the past three years, representatives of more than 1,600 companies from more than 90 countries have passed the accelerator, 95% of which said that the program helped them set new high goals. 74% have already voted publicly or plan to declare their goals.
We are looking forward to the results of this important event and are proud that Satpayev University took part in the initiatives that give such inspiration! We thank everyone who filled this day with special joy! Together we begin the path to a sustainable future!
More about CDSC activities
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Membership
On January 10th, 2022, the Networks Strategy Council of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) enthusiastically approved Almaty Management University (AlmaU) for membership in the network. As an SDSN Member, all AlmaU staff will have privileged access to the activities of the network, which enables the University to identify and connect with other sustainable development experts, promote activities and events, discover new prospects for funding, collaboration, etc.
SDSN mission includes promoting integrated approaches to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, through education, research, policy analysis, and global cooperation
HISTORY
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) was set up in 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. SDSN mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. SDSN works closely with United Nations agencies, multilateral financing institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
SDSN is guided by a Leadership Council, which brings together global sustainable development leaders from all regions and all sectors, including civil society, public, and private sectors. The Leadership Council acts as the board of SDSN. Much of SDSN’s work is led by National or Regional SDSNs, which mobilize knowledge institutions around the SDGs. Our research & policy work mobilizes experts from around the world on the technical challenges of implementing the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement. The SDG Academy leads the education work of the SDSN.
More about UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN): https://www.unsdsn.org/
#Agenda2030 #SDGs #sustainabledevelopment #globalgoals
Lehigh University and AlmaU partnership in the program Social Global Impact Fellowship supported by American Councils
In January 2020 Almaty Management University, AlmaU and Lehigh University started a fruitful collaboration, with the participation of students and teachers of both institutions. In the frame of the Global Social Impact Fellowship, supported by the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan and funded by UniCEN - Central Asia University Partnerships Program which is implemented by the American Councils for International Education Kazakhstan, more than 20 students and several faculty members of the two Universities have worked together to implement sustainable development education projects. First project refers to the theme of sustainable education for school students (Save Tuba) where participants aim to create a smartphone app for school children, educating them about the sustainability issues and targeting the change of mindset. The second project targets air pollution in Almaty where participants do research on this issue and propose solutions. Here smart city project innovations are being introduced throughout Kazakhstan, particularly in the country’s largest city, Almaty. These innovations are happening in the areas of health care, education, and safety/security, among many others. As Almaty continues to grow and develop into a major world capital, the need for it to be on the leading edge of the “smart cities” movement will only increase. This project will work with community organizations and leading universities in Kazakhstan, as well as students from Lingnan University in Hong Kong, to design and develop the next generation of smart city urban design innovations, and find ways to work with governmental and NGO entities to implement those solutions into the Kazakh capital.*
*Taken from the official website of Lehigh University: https://creativeinquiry.lehigh.edu/mou.../air-quality-almaty
Air Pollution direction of the project
Coordinator: Aurora Díaz Soloaga
Students: Anelya Sergazina, Dana Omarkhodzhayeva, Valeriya An
During the project, AlmaU students worked together with their fellows from Lehigh University in two different but equally nfluential areas. Both projects were aimed at solving environmental problems. As Almaty continues to grow and become a major global capital, the need for it to be at the forefront of the smart cities' movement only increases. These projects work with social organizations and find ways to cooperate with governmental and non-governmental organizations to implement these solutions in Almaty. "Air Pollution" and "Smart Cities" were chosen as the crucial directions to improve the city life.
Within the framework of the Air Pollution project, students proposed to create an application that can inform residents of Almaty about the risks of environmental pollution. Students of both universities have created a remote teamwork in two directions aimed at solving specific social issues in the city of Almaty.
In this joint work, together with students of Lehigh University, the AlmaU team strived to create a conditions for a better climate in Almaty, avoiding the severe consequences of heavily polluted air in the city. Having researched and collected a huge amount of information about the physical and medical costs of pollution, they worked on creating an smart application that will inform citizens about the specific consequences of their circumstances, according to information previously saved and provided by the same user.
Project “University Partnerships for Global Social Impact Projects” run in collaboration with Lehigh University, UNICEN, American Councils, by AlmaU R&D Department, School of Management and School of Engineering Management:
Summit “Collaborations for Social Innovation and Sustainable Development”
On October 7, 2021, Almaty Management University (AlmaU) held the Summit “Collaborations for Social Innovation and Sustainable Development” hosted by AlmaU in collaboration with Lehigh University, USA in hybrid format. Summit Language: English.
AlmaU Leadership and Lehigh Representatives opened Welcome Session and Panel Discussion at the Main Hall of AlmaU Campus.
Summit Participantes shared their Breakouts by Theme:
- Research Partnerships and Capacity Building
- Language Acquisition and Intercultural Communication
- Health, Sustainability, and Social Enterprise
The Summit brought together academicians, researchers, changemakers, educational innovators, thought leaders, representatives of state bodies, and experts for a day of conversation and inspiration. Summit program was designed to create opportunities to expand partnerships, joint programs and projects, as well as to run open dialog on sustainable development, capacity building and intercultural communications between academia, government, non-profits, and industry.
More on AlmaU and Lehigh University collaboration:
September 26, 2022
Lehigh and Kazakh Universities Team Up for Sustainable Impact
https://www2.lehigh.edu/news/lehigh-and-kazakh-universities-team-up-for-sustainable-impact
Global Partners
https://creativeinquiry.lehigh.edu/about-us/global-partners
July 29, 2021
AlmaU’s active collaboration with Lehigh University, USA goes to the next level
https://www.almau.edu.kz/en/news/almaus_active_collaboration_with_lehigh-13085
February 22, 2021
Rector Almaty Management University Suleimenov Yerbol Zinaddinovich, during his work trip to the United States met with Khanjan Mehta Vice Provost for Creative Inquiry and Director of the Mountaintop Initiative at Lehigh University
https://www.almau.edu.kz/en/news/rector_almaty_management_university_suleimenov-13007
2021 Center for the Development of Civil Society
Introduction:
The CDCS, created at AlmaU in September 2021 is aimed at coordinating all the activities promoted in the University regarding the Social Responsibility and Third Mission of the University.
Mission: create, promote, support, and reinforce initiatives beneficial for society at AlmaU. The Center aims at increasing the social responsibility of the university's community (students, faculty, and staff) and engaging local communities to accept actual and future social challenges through the promotion of attitudes and values such as sustainable development, participation in decision-making, gender awareness, leadership, community service and civic development.
Vision: CDCS believes that AlmaU´s reputation is connected primarily with its social impact role, being a role model for the Kazakhstani society. The strategic vision and efforts made by the CDCS will provide the university community with the information and practical resources to conduct social activities in all the spectrum of the University activities (research, teaching, international cooperation, campus life).
Activities:
-Promote academic literacy in social issues, increase capacity building of faculty by granted international programs, seminars and conferences, as Academia NGO, Legal Clinic and Imagine: visions for a better world
-Support research projects with social component (civic society issues, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainable Development) as the Center for European Studies, the Lehigh Global Social Impact Fellowship
-Enhance international commitment in social issues, engaging in international platforms, such as PRME, SUSD, the Eurasian Institute for Sustainable Development.
-Monitor activities to transform the campus life into more socially responsible: promoting recycling and community engagement, with the activities of Qaynar Bulaq.
Similar Centers in the region:
- ARGO
- Center for Civic Engagement at American University of Central Asia - AUCA
Current situation in Kazakhstan and worldwide
During the last decades, Universities reflected on their own mission in society, and reflected on the importance of their social responsibility.
2020-2021 NGO Academy
"Academy NGO" is the first systematized course of necessary legal and managerial knowledge for NGO representatives.
The project was launched in 2020 with the support of the Center for Support of Civil Initiatives (CISC) in order to create conditions for the development of the non-governmental sector. The project was funded by Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The goal of the Academy NGO project in 2021 was to create new conditions for the development of a competitive non-governmental sector.
The Academy worked in two directions: the School of Social Entrepreneurship "Oreli Urpak" (with coverage of at least 160 participants) and the General Education Program for representatives of NGOs.
In the beginning of 2021 a study was conducted that showed what gaps exist in the knowledge of representatives of NGO’s, and this made it possible to create a unique program that includes such areas as: economic and financial literacy, legal and tax literacy, project management, social design, fundraising. All work is done online.
The project involves Kazakh and international business coaches, professional coaches, authors of unique programs of their own.
As the part of the project an application was created for those who want to study the main areas necessary for the work of NGO’s.
It includes 8 modules in different fields that is vital for NGO workers. And the app is available for all NGO’s in Kazakhstan for free.
Official partners of the Academy NGO project - AlmaU School of Politics and Law, Astana International University.
Outcomes of the NGO Academy Project
With the support of the Ministry of Information and Social Development of Kazakhstan in the pilot mode, a project " NGO Academy" was launched to create new conditions for development of a competitive non-governmental sector. The project is implemented by the Centre for Civic Initiatives, in partnership with AlmaU, with grant funding from the Centre for the Support of Civic Initiatives.
The project was launched on 15 September. In two months, over 300 non-governmental organisations in Kazakhstan were trained as part of the project. The training was conducted by well-known experts and business trainers from Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan. Since the training took place in an online format, anyone could participate in the NGO Academy. As a result, more than 800 people attended the courses.
The results of the work already carried out within the framework of the NGO Academy project show that the implementation of all the objectives set has been achieved. The social effect of the project lies in solving specific problems through local, regional NGOs and increasing the competence of NGO staff.
This project is to be implemented on a long-term basis so that NGO training is at a professional level on an ongoing basis.