Hundreds of inspiring ideas, dozens of unique approaches, and one common goal – to make the world a better place. Economic Research Institute JSC, together with the United Nations Development Program and the UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund, with the support of the Ministry of National Economy and the Ministry of Enlightenment of the Republic of Kazakhstan, are proud to present the winners of the essay contest among schoolchildren of Kazakhstan on sustainable development.
From
February 18 to March 3 of this year, as part of the preparation of
the third Voluntary National Review, the Republican essay contest was
held among students of 7-12 grades, which received more than 600
papers from all regions of the country.
Astana
showed the greatest activity in the competition, gathering 52.02% of
all participants. Turkestan region and Kostanay region also
contributed 8.36% each, Pavlodar region - 7.01%, East Kazakhstan
region – 5.39%. Regions with a share of up to 4% include Abai
region, Aktobe region, Atyrau region, Zhetisu region, Kyzylorda
region, West Kazakhstan and North Kazakhstan regions, as well as the
city of Almaty.
An
analysis of the submitted essays showed that schoolchildren are most
concerned about issues of justice and building effective institutions
– 11.02%
of the papers were devoted to this topic. The topic of health and
well-being, which collected 9.95%
of the essays, was in the second place. The issue of climate change
also aroused considerable interest: 9.14%
of the participants devoted their work to environmental protection
and adaptation to changes. The proportion of essays devoted to
quality education as a key factor in the development of society was
the same, 9.14%.
The topic of responsible consumption and production attracted the
attention of 8.06%
of the participants. Poverty eradication closes the top 6 priorities,
with 6.18%
of devoted works.
The
work of the students allowed to identify regional peculiarities of
the perception of sustainable development topics. For example,
students from Almaty focused on the problems of regional imbalance,
and participants from Atyrau region focused on addressing issues of
social inequality. Pavlodar region and East Kazakhstan region have
distinguished themselves with works dedicated to the protection of
water resources and the protection of ecosystems.
The
contest committee evaluated the works based on approved criteria,
taking into account the weighting factors. Attention was paid to the
quality of execution (up to 5 points, weight – 30%), the uniqueness
of the text (up to 10 points, weight – 30%), compliance with the
content of the goals (up to 10 points, weight – 20%) and emotional
impact (up to 5 points, weight – 20%).
According
to the results of the competition, 14 schoolchildren who scored over
90% were awarded with the appreciation letters from the Vice Minister
of National Economy and valuable prizes from UNICEF for their
originality of ideas, practical thinking and a clear understanding of
their personal contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development
Goals:
Adina
Bolat,100%,
"Breaking Barriers. Why Gender Equality is a revolution, not
just a goal?»,
Astana, Gymnasium School No.30
The
essay highlights that gender inequality stifles innovation and
economic growth, especially in Kazakhstan, where stereotypes prevent
women from fulfilling themselves in STEM and leadership. The examples
of Rwanda and Bangladesh are given as proof of the power of women's
participation. The author calls for changes in thinking, support for
women and equal opportunities for all.
Aruzhan
Omirtaykyzy,
100%,«Қоқыс
қалдықтарына жаңа дем беру – жарқын
болашақтың кепіл»,
Astana, Lyceum School No.38 after Alimkhan Yermekov
The
essay is devoted to the problem of environmental pollution in
Kazakhstan, especially in connection with inefficient waste
management. The author notes that about 4.5 million tons of garbage
are generated annually in the country, while only 23.9% are recycled,
and more than 200 kg of waste per year is accounted for per
inhabitant. The importance of developing a culture of recycling,
environmental education and cooperation at all levels is emphasized
through personal examples and emotional experiences. Special
attention is paid to the responsibility to future generations for the
natural heritage left to us by our ancestors.
Platon
Tkach,
97%,
"Ресурсы
не бесконечны: конец эпохи изобилия",
Kostanay region, Manshuk Mametova Secondary School
The
essay suggests a standard and effective mechanism for sustainable
consumption – the introduction of a tax on excessive consumption
for both larg.organizations and individual citizens. The author's
initiatives include the introduction of quotas for the use of
electricity and water, the provision of benefits to recycling
companies, as well as the development of a reward system for citizens
involved in waste sorting and recycling.
Emiliya
Aliyeva,
95%,
"Мой кирпичик в фундамент чистого
будущего: вклад в жизнь без мусора",
Astana, Gymnasium School No. 47
The
author shows the way to a sustainable lifestyle, starting with
accessible and conscious steps – avoiding plastic, sorting waste,
using reusable bags and flasks. According to Emiliya, it is everyday
actions, turned into habits, that form sustainable thinking.
Aybar
Ileuov,
95%,
"Әлемді
қалай жақсырақ етуге болады?",
Kostanay region, Valerian Basic School
The
work highlights the importance of social inclusion and solidarity. A
personal story is highlighted in the essay: Aybar warmly talks about
an elderly man from his village, whom he helped with household chores
and in the yard. This example shows how simple good deeds create an
atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust.
Malika
Begdautova,
94%,
"Коқыссыз
өмір – таза болашақ",
Kostanay region, Manshuk Mametova Secondary School
The
work relates to the concept "Zero Waste", emphasizing the
use of reusable shopping bags, the rejection of plastic and the
transition to reusable tableware. The importance of a waste-free
life, the individual responsibility of each person for environmental
protection, as well as the importance of recycling and reuse is
emphasized.
Aizhan
Tolegen,
94%,
"Болашақта қандай мамандықтар әлемді
өзгертеді",
Astana, Lyceum School No.59 named after Karim Mynbayev
The
author emphasizes that even in the conditions of digitalization and
artificial intelligence, tourism cannot be imagined without human
guides, tour guides, and tou.organizers. These professions remain
relevant, because they create a lively experience for tourists.
Kazakhstan, with its rich cultural and natural heritage, has great
potential, and areas such as archaeological and ethnotourism open up
new opportunities.
The
following three participants devoted their essays to the topic of
building effective institutions, ensuring peace and justice.
Jadyra
Toregazy,
92%,
"Соғыс пен қақтығыстарсыз әлем. Әр
адам әлемді қалай мейірімді ете алады?",
Abai region, Secondary School named after Aktailak bi
Nargiz
Yerkebayeva,
91%,
"Соғыс пен қақтығыссыз әлем",
Astana, Secondary School No.111
Yernat
Galymzhan,91%,
"Мир без войн и конфликтов –
Как
каждый человек может сделать мир
добрее?",
Astana, Gymnasium School No.51 named after Mustafa Shokay
These
three essays are united by the idea of a conflict-free world that
begins with each of us. Zhadyra emphasizes the importance of
fostering kindness, tolerance and mutual assistance from childhood,
as well as the role of education and critical thinking. Nargiz
focuses on personal responsibility and cites Shakarim Kudaiberdyuly's
book "Анық пен Танық" as an example, which
reinterpreted the value of kindness for her. Yernat considers the
causes of conflicts – injustice and inequality, and inspires change
through respect, dialogue and the pursuit of justice.
Madina
Dilshadova,
90%,
"Устойчивое развитие будущего",
Turkestan region, Sabyr Rakhimov Secondary School
The
work highlights that sustainable development is not only about
ecology, but also about social justice, access to education,
medicine, and decent work. Using the example of advanced countries,
Madina shows that technological progress can keep pace with caring
for nature, and real change begins with personal responsibility for
everyone.
The
next two students devoted their work to gender equality issues.
Dariya
Zhunusova, 90%,
"Равные возможности для всех",
Kostanay region, Pokrovskaya Basic Secondary School
Dariya
Davidyuk,
90%,
"How can we ensure that boys and girls have equal rights and
opportunities?", Astana,
Tamos Space School
Both
participants raise the important topic of gender equality and
emphasize that the path to a just society begins with each of us.
Dariya Zhunusova focuses on equal access to education, freedom of
choice of profession, and the role of family, school, and legislation
in shaping an informed attitude to equality. Dariya Davidyuk
emphasizes the need to combat stereotypes and ensure equal rights and
opportunities for boys and girls, including equal pay and support
from society.
Ramina
Urazbayeva,
90%,
"Планетаға қауіп төніп тұр",
Astana, Gymnasium School No. 32
The
author focuses on the threats caused by human activity:
deforestation, air and ocean pollution, excessive use of resources
and the growth of plastic waste. Ramina emphasizes the importance of
responsible consumption, the development of new eco-friendly
technologies and individual actions of everyone.
The
Commission also noted individual works of the participants who
managed to communicate their thoughts in an accessible way and show a
creative approach to the topic of ensuring sustainable development.
In this regard, it was decided to award certificates to 32 school
students on behalf of the Chairman of the Management Board of
Economic Research Institute JSC:
Alikhan
Nasypkan,
Astana, Smart Technological School
Alina
Shukasheva,
Turkestan region, Saken Seifullin Gymnasium School No. 20
Victoria
Tsymbalash,
Kostanay region, Chandak Basic Secondary School
Sofiya
Baliyeva,
Astana, Lyceum School No. 71
Jasmine
Quint,
Kostanay region, Prirechenskaya Secondary School
Sanjar
Karmys,
Aktobe region, Regional Specialized Physics and Mathematics Boarding
School
Anastasia
Scherer,
Kostanay region, Denisovskaya Secondary School No. 2
Tomiris
Sadykova,
Astana, Gymnasium School No. 96
Jasmin
Zhangeldina,
Astana, Binom Lyceum School named after Ybyrai Altynsarin
Aiaru
Zhenis,
Astana, Lyceum School No. 71
Aykhanym
Oralbek,
Astana, Gymnasium School No. 69
Jasmin
Islam,
West Kazakhstan region, Secondary School No. 5
Ayan
Aimagambetov,
East Kazakhstan region, Comprehensive Secondary School No. 3 named
after Yu.A. Gagarin
Grishik
Sargsyan,
East Kazakhstan region, Comprehensive Secondary School No. 3 named
after Yu.A. Gagarin
Ariana
Kenesbek,
Astana, Gymnasium School No. 17 named after A. Kurmanov
Amira
Bekber,
Astana, Gymnasium School No. 75
Ilsana
Zakayeva,
East Kazakhstan region, Comprehensive Secondary School named after
Shoqan Walikhanov
Ayala
Kursabayeva,
Astana, Smart Technological School
Aliya
Amangeldina,
Astana, Binom Lyceum School named after Kanysh Satpayev
Aliya
Amanova,
Astana, Lyceum School No. 54 named after Akseleu Seidimbek
Nuray
Askhat,
Astana, Lyceum School No.79
Adiya
Aushakimova,
Pavlodar region, Regional Multidisciplinary Boarding School for
Gifted Children
Danelya
Bekmambetova,
Astana, Lyceum School No. 89
Inkar
Duysen,
Astana, Physics and Technology Lyceum "Flagman"
Ayaulym
Kablan,
Turkestan region, Secondary School No. 29 named after S. Seifullin
Gulnaz
Chinazbek,
Turkestan region, Secondary School No. 14 named after N. Ondasynov
Aktoty
Farkhatkyzy,
East Kazakhstan region, Zhetiaral School-Kindergarten complex
Rolan
Tuspai,
Almaty, Gymnasium School No. 8
Ayazhan
Tileubekova,
East Kazakhstan region, Shengeldinsky Preprimary School and School
complex named after K. Satpayev
Anastasiya
Akhmetshina,
Kostanay region,
Valerian Basic School
Kausar
Shalkar,
Astana, Binom Lyceum School named after Kanysh Satpayev
Sergey
Li,
Almaty, Gymnasium School No. 25 named after I. Yessenberlin
The
organizers emphasize the high level of works, sincerity and conscious
approach of the participants to the global issues of our time. The
contest has become an important platform for unlocking the potential
of the younger generation. The best ideas will be included in the
substantive part of the third Voluntary National Survey, which will
allow the voice of Kazakhstani school students to be heard on the
international stage as an inspiring example.
Economic
Research Institute JSC, jointly with the Ministry of National Economy
and the Ministry of Enlightenment of the Republic of Kazakhstan, UNDP
and UNICEF, expresses gratitude to all participants, teachers and
parents for active support, motivation and faith in the power of
knowledge and ideas. Together we are building a sustainable future.
