The country needs your experience now

Address by Duman Orynbekov, Rector of Shakarim University,

Member of Kazakhstan Khalyk Kenesi on the International Day of Older Persons

Dear representatives of the older generation!

Dear veterans Shakarim University, residents of Semey and the Abay region!

Kazakhstan is experiencing one of the most intense periods of its development. State institutions are changing, serious economic, social and technological transformations are underway, relations between the state and society are being built in a new way, requirements for management, education, labor and civic responsibility are growing.

And today, on the International Day of Older Persons, it seems to me especially important to talk to you about this.

Because major transformations require the experience of people who have already gone through changes more than once and know how, as they say, to keep the line.

Many of you have worked in difficult times years, we created enterprises, schools, universities, hospitals, built Semey, developed districts and villages of our region, raised children, students, and young professionals.

What can your generation do?

It can do a lot: be able to start anew, master new things, take responsibility, continue to work when circumstances require endurance.

Today this experience is needed more than ever.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev identified unity and solidarity, justice and responsibility, hard work and professionalism, creativity and innovation among the key national values.

Behind each of these concepts there is a very specific human content - the attitude to work, to one’s word, to people nearby, to the country and to responsibility for a common cause.

A new system of public dialogue has also been formed in our state: Kazakhstan Khalyk Kenesi has become a constitutional platform designed to represent the interests of the people, strengthen public harmony, national unity and solidarity.

For me, participation in this work means, first of all, the need to hear people.

That's why this conversation goes far beyond the walls of the university.

It is important for us to hear you – older generation of Semey and the Abay region, your assessment of the changes taking place, your questions.

Hear what worries you. What, based on your own life and professional experience, you consider necessary to change in our city and region.

Semey and the land of Abai have long been one of the intellectual centers of the country - an environment where social thought, education, culture and a responsible attitude to the fate of the people were formed.

Abay and Shәkarim, Alash figures laid down a tradition here of thinking about the future of the country through education, justice, human dignity and service to society. This tradition continues to be carried on by you - generations of teachers, scientists, doctors, engineers, cultural figures and social activists of our region.

Therefore, your voice, as the voice of the older generation of the Abay region, is especially important today:

it combines historical memory, professional experience, and understanding of the responsibility each generation bears for what it passes on to the next.

That’s why your opinion is important to us, veterans of Shakarim University. We are included in international rankings, create new laboratories, develop science and cooperate with foreign partners.

We stand on the foundation created by several generations of teachers, scientists and employees.

But the value of your experience is much broader than the university!

The Abay region needs your knowledge, participation in public life, conversation with young people and the ability to convey to them what cannot be learned only from textbooks: respect for work, responsibility for one’s word, perseverance in the face of difficulties, the ability to work together and bring what is started to the end.

Today, the older generation must remain a full participant in the changes taking place in the country: advise, argue, ask difficult questions, pass on experience.

And together with young people, look for solutions for the future of our region and country.

This is how the connection between generations is maintained. This is how the experience of one generation becomes a support for the next.

Our dear veterans, representatives of the older generation!

I wish you good health, long life, family warmth and strength.

May you have children, grandchildren, students and colleagues nearby.

And let there be things ahead that still require your knowledge, character, experience and your concern.

Happy International Day of Older Persons!

With respect and gratitude, Duman Orynbekov