“I am convinced that the large-scale transformations we have begun should be accompanied by advanced modernization of public consciousness. It will not only complement political and economic modernization – it will act as their core” (N.A. Nazarbayev, “Looking into the Future: Modernization of Public Consciousness”). The program “Rukhani Zhangyru” was developed on the basis of the provisions of the article of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev “Looking into the future: modernization of public consciousness”, which was published on April 12, 2017. It outlines the main goal of the nation for a new historical period: to preserve and increase spiritual and cultural values, to enter the 30 developed countries of the world. The program includes several projects aimed at achieving these goals.
The project of a phased transition of the Kazakh language to the Latin script is designed to give a new impetus to the development of the language and integrate it into the global space, to interest and motivate citizens to master the language. A full transition to the Latin script is scheduled for 2025: from now on, all written speech – from publications in the print media to record keeping – will be in Latin. Prior to this, a transitional period and adaptation are envisaged, when the population will still be able to use the Cyrillic alphabet.
The project “100 new textbooks in the Kazakh language” is aimed at transferring knowledge and experience to the younger generation, improving the quality of education, developing the self-awareness of the nation and the Kazakh language. According to Nursultan Nazarbayev, “… our social and humanitarian knowledge has been conserved for many years within the framework of one teaching and within the framework of one view of the world.” To fix this, it is proposed to select 100 best textbooks from those that already exist in the world: on history, political science, sociology, philosophy, psychology, cultural studies, philology and translate them into Kazakh. The effect of this program is expected in 5-6 years after the books become available to students – graduates of domestic universities should become more competitive in the international labor market.
The project “100 New Faces of Kazakhstan” will incorporate the living stories of Kazakhstanis from different parts of the country, of different ages and nationalities, which will serve as a model for compatriots. These 100 (and more!) new faces will become the personification of modern Kazakhstan.
The Sacred Geography of Kazakhstan project is based on the symbolic sacred and cultural and historical foundations of our country. The objects of this project will become places of attraction for the tourism industry. Elbasy’s article provides for the development of mass sports. The special project “Tugan zher” is aimed at solving social problems, involving citizens in the development and ennoblement of their native land – the “small motherland”.
The project “Modern Kazakh Culture in the Global World” is aimed at building a systematic work to promote the culture of Kazakhstan abroad. At the same time, the focus is on the promotion of modern culture, both in form and content. The launching event was the presentation of the “Rukhani Zhangyru” Program, which took place on October 17-19, 2017 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. As part of the presentation, various events were held that demonstrated various areas of Kazakhstani culture to foreign audiences.
In the article of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev “Seven Facets of the Great Steppe”, the project “Great Names of the Great Steppe” was initiated, aimed at studying and popularizing the heritage of famous historical figures, whose achievements are the pride of the people of Kazakhstan. Not only leading domestic scientists, but also foreign ones take an active part in the implementation of this project. The head center is the Institute of History and Ethnology. Ch. Valikhanov in Almaty, on the basis of which methodological issues are developed and the educational Park-encyclopedia “Great Names of the Great Steppe” is created.
The program “Rukhani Zhangyru”, focused on the revival of the spiritual values of Kazakhstanis, taking into account all the modern risks and challenges of globalization, is designed to increase the competitiveness of Kazakhstan in the world, preserve national identity, popularize the cult of knowledge and openness of consciousness of citizens. These qualities should become the main guidelines of the modern Kazakhstani.
The program for the modernization of public consciousness makes it possible to consolidate society, to unite the intelligentsia, youth, representatives of all segments of the population around the ideas proclaimed by the First President of the State. The implementation of all areas of modernization takes place taking into account the needs of society, with the active involvement of the scientific and expert community, representatives of civil society, and youth.
