Diaspora policy is an integral part of the foreign and domestic policy of any State that seeks to maintain ties with its compatriots living abroad and effectively integrate ethnic minorities within the country. For Kazakhstan, a multinational state with an extensive network of Kazakh diasporas outside the country, state diaspora policy is of particular importance.

The state diaspora policy of Kazakhstan is a set of measures, strategies and institutional mechanisms aimed at developing and maintaining stable ties with the Kazakh diaspora abroad, facilitating the repatriation of ethnic Kazakhs to their historical homeland, as well as ensuring the integration, adaptation and equal participation of ethnic minorities in socio-political life within the country. This policy is aimed at strengthening national unity, preserving cultural identity and creating a positive image of Kazakhstan in the international arena.

During the years of independence, a number of regulatory documents were adopted and implemented in this area, including State programs to support compatriots living abroad in 1996 and – 2005–2007, as well as Plans for their implementation, the Nurly Kosh – Program for 2009-2011, the Concept of Migration Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2017–2021. For the practical implementation of the diaspora policy, an Action Plan was adopted to support ethnic Kazakhs for 2018–2021. However, Kazakhstan does not have a separate law regulating diaspora policy^[180].

Meanwhile, the practical implementation of state support measures, as well as mechanisms for establishing ties with the diaspora, is carried out through public associations created on the initiative of the First President of the country, N. A. Nazarbayev. To date, such organizations are the World Association of Kazakhs and the Otandastar Foundation, created following the results of the V World Kurultai of Kazakhs, held in Astana in 2017.

One of the features of the Kazakh diaspora abroad is the hybrid identity of its representatives, which makes it possible for interstate interaction at a more qualitative and deep level. As a result of the implementation of the policy of repatriation of ethnic Kazakhs, 1 million 84 thousand ethnic Kazakhs have returned to the country since 1991^[181].

In accordance with the Concept of Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2020–2030, one of the priorities in the field of human rights and humanitarian diplomacy is to support the development of the Kazakh language and culture in places of compact residence of Kazakh communities abroad, their ties with their historical homeland^[182], including through the World Association of Kazakhs and the Otandastar Foundation.

According to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 22, 2011 «On Population Migration», «Kandas are ethnic Kazakhs (or) members of their family of Kazakh nationality who were not previously citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan and received the corresponding status in accordance with the procedure established by the authorized body for population migration»^[183].

Persons who have received the status of kandas and their family members are provided with:

- free adaptation and integration services in the adaptation and integration centers of Kandas;

- medical care in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of healthcare;

- places in schools and pre-school organizations on an equal basis with citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the opportunity to receive education in accordance with the allocated quota for admission to educational organizations of technical and professional, post-secondary and higher education in the amount determined by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

- social protection on an equal basis with citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

- employment assistance in accordance with the Social Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Kandas are granted land plots on the right of temporary gratuitous land use in accordance with the land legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan for conducting personal subsidiary farming, gardening, country construction. Local executive bodies may establish one-time allowances, including compensation for the costs of travel to a permanent place of residence and transportation of property, for Kandas and their family members who have moved to the Republic of Kazakhstan outside the regional quota for receiving kandas.

The following projects are being implemented in Kazakhstan to support the diaspora.

«Kazakh Cultural-and Business House» project (Qazaq House).

Qazaq House is a public, non-political and non-profit project aimed at developing and strengthening cultural, humanitarian and business ties between citizens and organizations of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other countries. Two key structural elements are being created on the basis of foreign public associations of the Kazakh diaspora: the Abay cultural center and the Atameken Business House. They provide ethnic Kazakhs with opportunities to learn the Kazakh language, culture, and traditions, as well as to establish and develop business contacts with Kazakhstani entrepreneurs, promote joint projects, and conduct business. These centers become a kind of «bridges» between Kazakhstan and Kazakhs abroad, as well as platforms for popularizing national brands and Kazakh products.

Key objectives of Qazaq House include:

- promotion of Kazakhstan's exports;

- assistance in concluding business contracts;

- search for business partners.

- strengthening the cultural identity and sense of belonging to the Motherland among representatives of the diaspora.

«Turakty Ayul» («Sustainable»).

Initiated in 2020, the «Turakty Auyl» project is aimed at sustainable development of rural settlements in Kazakhstan by encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting business initiatives among Kandas (repatriates). One of the priorities is the allocation of repatriates to a separate category of business entities, which allows them to provide targeted state support. As part of the project implementation, the following activities are carried out:

- identification of priority areas of development;

- improvement of the regulatory framework;

- adaptation of state support mechanisms to meet the needs of repatriates;

- creating conditions for access to financial institutions.

Thus, prerequisites are created for the active inclusion of repatriates in the economic life of villages, increasing employment and improving the quality of life in rural areas.

Training and Production center «Bereke» project.

The goal of the Bereke project is to create a network of training and production centers in regional centers, single-industry towns and cities of national significance. These centers provide:

- involvement of repatriates in production activities;

- providing conditions for launching small and medium-sized businesses;

- guaranteed sales of products through public and private support mechanisms.

The project contributes to the creation of new jobs, the growth of new enterprises, the expansion of the production sector and the development of entrepreneurial potential among ethnic Kazakhs who have returned to their historical homeland.

The «Otandastar project. Bolashakka bagdar».

«Otandastar – Bolashakka Bagdar» is a platform that combines cultural, educational and business initiatives in the framework of international cooperation with the Kazakh diaspora. The project is implemented under the auspices of the Otandastar Foundation and includes:

- conducting international music and creative competitions, concerts with the participation of Kazakhstani artists abroad;

- development of the infrastructure of cultural diplomacy, including the idea of creating the Otandastar library on the basis of the National Academic Library in Astana, which will present a wide range of domestic and foreign materials about the Kazakh diaspora;

- assistance in strengthening business ties with compatriots living abroad.

Special attention is paid to using the potential of the diaspora to boost bilateral economic, trade and investment ties. In this regard, the Foundation regularly organizes business forums with the participation of ethnic Kazakhs living abroad. So, in 2019, such events were held in eight countries: Germany, the United States, Great Britain, Sweden, China, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Russia.

Despite the fact that, in general, migration sentiment among the diaspora is weak, there is a steady desire to link the future of their children with Kazakhstan. The main conditions for moving are employment, housing, and financial support. At the same time, the attitude towards repatriation remains positive, which opens up wide opportunities for state-diaspora cooperation.

At the same time, the potential of the Kazakh diaspora abroad remains insufficiently realized for the national development of Kazakhstan. This is especially true in such strategically important areas as education, healthcare, science and entrepreneurship. For example, representatives of the diaspora with a high level of professional qualifications could be actively involved in academic exchange programs, joint research projects, master classes and educational courses. Doctors and medical professionals can share best practices, technologies and contribute to the development of medical services in the regions of the country.

Entrepreneurs and business owners from among compatriots abroad have a significant potential for mentoring, promoting young Kazakhstani startups, transferring business competencies, and attracting investment in the economy of Kazakhstan. The establishment of permanent channels of interaction could strengthen the export potential, open up new markets for Kazakh products and strengthen the country's economic diplomacy.

Today, interaction with the diaspora is fragmented and episodic. There is no comprehensive state strategy aimed at long-term cooperation with foreign Kazakhs. As a result, there is a low level of institutionalization of work with the diaspora, as well as a lack of clearly defined goals, performance indicators and coordination between various government structures.

The creation of a single, interdepartmental and long-term program for interaction with the Kazakh Diaspora-with the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education, as well as the Otandastar Foundation-could significantly increase the effectiveness of this activity. It is also advisable to develop digital platforms for continuous communication, exchange of experience and operational support for the initiatives of compatriots who want to contribute to the development of the Motherland.

 

Control questions

 

1. Describe the goals and objectives of confessional policy in the modern state.
2. Analyze existing national policy models in different countries.
3. List and describe international legal documents on the protection of the rights of national minorities.
4. Describe the main problems faced by national minorities in modern societies.
5. Discover the importance of cultural autonomies and centers in protecting the rights of minorities.
6. Explain the goals and principles of the state language policy.
7. Explain the impact of language policy on the processes of integration and disintegration of society.
8. Analyze examples of language policies in multinational States.
9. Define the ethno-political conflict and highlight its features.
10. Describe methods and approaches to preventing ethnic conflicts.

 

 

 

Questions for discussion

 

1. Discuss how different models of national policy (multinational, assimilative, multiculturalist, etc.) can influence the strengthening or weakening of political stability in the state. What factors (e.g. ethnic conflict management, ensuring the rights of national minorities, language policy) play a key role in preventing social and political upheaval?
2. Explain the goals, directions and mechanisms of the state program to support compatriots abroad.
3. Give and analyze historical examples of successful solutions to problems related to the situation of national minorities.

 

Case studies

 

Case 1. Rights of national minorities and ways to solve problems in modern states.

Country X is home to the «A» ethnic group, which makes up 8% of the population. Members of this group face discrimination in employment (employers prefer representatives of the titular nation), restrictions in the use of their native language (lack of education in schools, non-recognition of the official status of the language), weak representation in government bodies (lack of quotas, low political activity), negative stereotypes in the media, leading to the marginalization of this part of the population.

Tasks:

1) Study the «Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (Council of Europe) «and the» UN Declaration on the Rights of Minorities». What articles of these documents can be applied in country X? What mechanisms of implementation (inclusion in laws) do you propose?

2) Develop the following support measures in the following areas: education, politics, economics.

3) Consider the mechanisms for monitoring minority rights and how they work:

- the Ombudsman for Minority Affairs (what powers should he be given?);

- public supervisory boards (how to form them?);

- a system of reporting to international organizations.

 

Case 2. Conflictology and prevention of ethnic conflicts.

In the city of N, there were mass clashes between representatives of two ethnic communities-the «K» group and the «M» group. The reason was the decision of local authorities to rename a number of streets related to the history and culture of the M group. This decision caused dissatisfaction among representatives of the M group, who regarded it as an attempt to displace their historical heritage from the urban space. Against the background of what is happening, information spread on social networks that allegedly the K group «wants to erase our history». Despite the lack of confirmation, these reports provoked a wave of discontent and aggression. Tensions reached a peak after police detained one of the activists of the «M» group for organizing an unauthorized rally. This caused new protests and a wave of indignation. The situation threatens to escalate into a prolonged ethnic conflict, which is fraught with serious destabilization of the social situation in the city.

Tasks:

- identify the parties to the conflict, their interests, needs, and positions. Analyze the causes of conflict escalation (objective and subjective). Select the stages of conflict and the current phase of the situation.

- evaluate the role of social media in spreading conflict. What actions can the authorities take to combat disinformation? How can I use media literacy and fact-checking tools?

- develop measures to de-escalate tensions between groups. What methods of interethnic dialogue could be effective? Suggest a format for public discussion of the decision to rename streets that takes into account the opinion of both parties.

- what institutions (NGOs, religious leaders, educational institutions, etc.) can be involved in conflict resolution? Can external mediators play a positive role? What should be their position?

- make recommendations for local authorities to prevent similar situations in the future. What elements of the ethno-political stability strategy should be implemented in the city?

 

Case 3. Diaspora and State policy: Challenges of identity and Rights protection.

Country N has a large diaspora in several neighboring states. Historically, some of the population has been displaced by border changes, migration processes, and conflicts. In the last decade, there have been cases of assimilation of diaspora representatives in the host countries: knowledge of the native language is deteriorating, elements of cultural heritage are being lost, and the number of national schools and public organizations is decreasing.

In addition, complaints of discrimination have become more frequent: compatriots from the diaspora are not accepted for public service, access to education in their native language is restricted, and in some cases they become targets of xenophobic attacks. This raises concerns within the country N and raises the question of the need for a State policy to protect its compatriots abroad.

Tasks:

- Identify key issues facing the diaspora in country N. Distinguish between objective and subjective factors that influence assimilation and discrimination. Analyze the risks that such a situation can carry for the international relations of country N;

- what measures can the state N take to support its compatriots abroad? What «soft power» tools can be used to preserve the national identity of the diaspora? Develop a strategy for cultural and educational support for your compatriots.

- how does international law regulate the protection of the rights of ethnic minorities and diasporas? Can country N officially interfere in the affairs of another country in order to protect the diaspora? Where is the intervention boundary? What role can international organizations (UN, OSCE, UNESCO) play in protecting the rights of diasporas?

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^[180] State Diaspora Policy of Kazakhstan https://kisi.kz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/11-08-rus.pdf. Date of access 20.04.2025

^[181] Current State of Work with the Kazakh Diaspora Abroad: Main Trends ^{https://kisi.kz/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/24-12-2021.pdf} Date of access 20.04.2025

^[182] Foreign Policy Concept of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2020-2030 https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/U2000000280. Date of access 20.04.2025

^[183] Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 22, 2011 “On migration of population” https://online.zakon.kz/Document/?doc_id=31038298. Date of access 20.04.2025