A major international scientific-practical conference titled “Social Work in Action: Interdisciplinary and Global Strategies for Bridging and Advancing Sustainable Development in Central Asia” has launched at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU). With participants from over 27 countries, the event has established itself as one of the region’s most respected expert platforms for discussing issues of social protection and humanitarian development.

Speaking at the opening plenary session, KazNU Rector Zhanseit Tuimebayev emphasized that modern social work has long outgrown the boundaries of a single profession and has transformed into a fundamental infrastructure for a sustainable society—one where the quality of education is directly linked to how well people live.

According to the Rector, a university must be a space of knowledge, responsibility, and practical contribution to public well-being. In this context, social work occupies a special place as a field directly tied to solving key societal challenges and protecting human dignity.

Professor Eric Chui, Head of the Department of Social Work and Criminology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), also spoke in favor of an interdisciplinary approach. He noted that in an era of global shifts and intense migration flows, no single scientific discipline can develop in isolation from others.

In his view, sustainable development requires interdisciplinary strategies and comprehensive responses. These strategies must be global in nature, yet it is critically important to remain sensitive to local conditions—because the role of social work today is immense, both in social policy and in public health, including people’s daily lives. That is why it is vital to bring together the voices of different countries and professional communities.

A key topic of discussion was the practical outcomes of the joint KazNU–PolyU Center for Sustainable Development. This structure has already become an important regional platform for implementing innovative working methods.

During the forum, the parties signed a number of international agreements.

On May 5, the second day of the conference, representatives of the academic community from 27 countries will discuss pressing issues related to the harmonization of educational standards and their effective adaptation to the conditions of Central Asia. These agreements are expected to lay the foundation for building a modern professional ecosystem in the field of social work in the region.

Photo: Galiya KALIYEVA