On June 17, 2022, NU hosted a debate tournament, “Seeing the Unseen,” among students of the capital’s universities, organized by the Debate Club Nomad student club with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Twenty-four students from four educational institutions took part in the tournament. They reflected on the mechanisms of increasing gender equality, changes in traditional social roles, and the need to introduce sex education in the programs of schools and universities.
The event was attended by the UNFPA Representative in Kazakhstan and Country Director in Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Ronnie Lindstrom, UNFPA Communications Officer in Kazakhstan Zhamilya Kussainova, and Coordinator of the Government Relations Office at NU Raushan Nurzhubalina.
Competent judges determined the victory in the debate. Thus, NU student Arsen Abulgazimov was recognized as the tournament’s best speaker. Three teams made it to the final: “Kaz Kultegin” (Amirlan Kassymov, Aibike Zhagiparova), “Adastra” (Nauryzbai Menlen, Alinur Beisenbay), “Oh, I did it again” (Dmitriy Bessedin, Elina Amurlayeva). Nazerke Mukhlisova and Salima Akhmedieva became winners of this contest. All of the finalists received valuable prizes from the UN Population Fund.
“The topics of unplanned pregnancy, gender equality, and gender-based violence are vital, so we hope that the principles shared by the speakers will have an impact on the actions of each of us in real life,” said tournament judge Altynai Zamanbekova.
