KASU Hosted an International Conference with the Participation of Moscow State University Scientists
On May 20, 2025, the Kazakh-American Free University hosted an international scientific conference “Economic and Demographic Development of Kazakhstan: Gender Aspect”. The conference brought together scientists, researchers and representatives of international organizations from Kazakhstan, the USA, Russia and China, becoming an authoritative platform for discussing key challenges of sustainable development through the prism of gender analysis. The event was organized by KAFU within the framework of the grant project AP19680677, funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Vice President of KAFU for International Programs and Cooperation Daniel Ballast, one of the founders of the university, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. He emphasized the importance of dialogue on equality and the role of women in the economy as part of the global agenda.
Particular attention was drawn to the speech of the World Bank representative in Kazakhstan, Metin Nebiler from the USA, who noted the importance of including the gender dimension in sustainable growth strategies.
The conference was distinguished by the high level of the reports presented. The central place in the plenary session was occupied by the speeches of experts from Lomonosov Moscow State University (Russia):
– Irina Ye. Kalabikhina, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Head of the Population Department of the Economics Faculty of Moscow State University with a report on the topic “Gender Equality in Kazakhstan: Features of Progress against the Background of Neighboring Countries”;
– Oksana V. Kuchmaeva, Doctor of Economics, Professor of Moscow State University, who spoke online with a report on the topic: “Social Infrastructure for the Life of Families in Kazakhstan”;
– Dmitry V. Poletaev, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Professor of the Population Department of Moscow State University, spoke with a report on the topic “Gender Dimension of Labor Migration: Practical Recommendations for Migrants”;
Particular attention was drawn to the presentation by the project manager, Aizhan A. Mukhamadieva, PhD in Economics, research professor at KAFU, with a report on the topic “Economic and Demographic Development of Kazakhstan: Gender Aspect”.
In her presentation, she focused on the need to integrate gender analysis into national demographic and socio-economic policies.
Each presentation generated active discussions, emphasizing the audience’s interest in finding solutions to modern social and economic challenges.
After the plenary part, the participants continued the discussion in three sections:
1. Gender equality in the labor market
2. Demographic development of Kazakhstan: gender aspect
3. The impact of gender equality on the economic and demographic development of the state
The conference became an important stage in the development of scientific cooperation and research dialogue. The presented reports and discussions confirmed that the gender approach is not an auxiliary, but a key tool for analyzing social and economic processes.
