Parents International in Kazakhstan: Origins of Collaboration

In July 2022, Parents International was contacted by the young public association Senimen Bolashaq to explore possible cooperation between the two organisations. The invitation to visit Kazakhstan’s capital, Nur-Sultan (now Astana), marked the beginning of a meaningful relationship. Despite a tight schedule, Parents International Director Eszter Salamon spent three impactful days (15–17 August) learning about the organisation’s rapid growth and planting seeds of collaboration with local and national stakeholders.

The visit was more than ceremonial—it was a strategic opportunity to lay the groundwork for establishing a connection for Parents International in Kazakhstan, with a focus on parental engagement, educational innovation, and inclusive practices. In just over a year of its existence, Senimen Bolashaq had already developed a reputation for its proactive community-building and parental outreach, making it an ideal partner for Parents International’s mission.

Building Strategic Connections

Throughout the visit, several strategic meetings were held to explore collaboration possibilities. Conversations with the German Embassy addressed visa-related challenges that often hinder participation in international study visits and training opportunities. These discussions were crucial for ensuring that Kazakh representatives would have access to future international gatherings.

Additionally, engagement with the EU Delegation in Kazakhstan opened doors for potential funding streams. These interactions allowed both organisations to explore how European expertise could inform local initiatives, particularly through joint applications for education-focused EU projects.

A major milestone of the visit was a meeting with the Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek. Kazakhstan is currently experiencing a significant teacher and school shortage due to a recent baby boom. Parents International proposed to support the development of initial teacher training curricula and help design modules on parental engagement and learning leadership. This offering aligned well with national education priorities and received strong interest.

In parallel, concerns about the pressure families face regarding cochlear implants were discussed in professional settings. Parents International emphasized the importance of balanced, inclusive information, drawing on its broader experience with disability support and parent empowerment across Europe.

Showcasing Tools at a National Conference

The highlight of the visit was a national conference on conscious parenting, organised by Senimen Bolashaq. More than 600 educators, psychologists, and parent leaders from across Kazakhstan attended. It served as a valuable platform for Parents International to showcase a variety of proven programmes:

• Parent’R’Us: a mentoring model promoting peer-to-peer parental support.
• ParENTrepreneurs: offering tools to enhance parenting capabilities and 21st-century life skills.
• ELPIDA, Parenting Together, SILENT: addressing the unique challenges faced by parents of children with disabilities.
• SAILS: a digital-age parenting framework focusing on risk mitigation and responsible online engagement.
• PHERECLOS: designed to raise science literacy and encourage lifelong learning, particularly relevant in Kazakhstan’s drive to strengthen STEM education.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing interest in adapting these tools for use in Kazakh communities.

Parents International in Kazakhstan: Local Context and Cultural Insights

One of the most enriching aspects of the visit was the mutual learning that took place. Parents International gained a deeper understanding of Kazakhstan’s rich educational heritage, which places a strong emphasis on child respect and non-violent upbringing. These values were evident in references to Shalva A. Amonashvili’s Humane Pedagogy and the philosophy of Abaj Kunanbajuli, both of whom have laid cultural foundations that resonate with the principles of child agency and loving discipline.

It was particularly striking to see how these Eastern traditions parallel the thinking of Western developmental psychologists like Alison Gopnik, who advocates for parenting based on nurturing rather than control. This convergence of ideas underscores the potential for truly global educational collaboration.

Looking Ahead: Future Cooperation

To facilitate broader adoption of Parents International’s tools, discussions also covered the need for translation into Russian, a widely spoken language in Kazakhstan. Thanks to AI-assisted technologies and editorial support from Senimen Bolashaq, this will be a straightforward and cost-effective process.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the visit formalised the beginning of this collaboration. Senimen Bolashaq is expected to participate in the upcoming Parent Summit in Amsterdam, where they may formally join Parents International as a member.

Parents International in Kazakhstan: a Shared Mission

This evolving partnership reflects a shared mission: empowering families, strengthening educational systems, and ensuring that parental engagement becomes a cornerstone of educational success. Through joint efforts, Parents International in Kazakhstan is growing stronger—paving the way for more inclusive, collaborative, and impactful family engagement around the world.

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