“The most valuable investment a nation can make is an investment in an educated, competitive, and patriotic younger generation.” This principle, consistently emphasized by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan, has become increasingly relevant in the twenty-first century. Today, international relations are shaped not only through negotiations between heads of state and ministers of foreign affairs. Public diplomacy, university cooperation, academic mobility, youth exchanges, and volunteer initiatives have become essential instruments for strengthening mutual trust and fostering long-term partnerships among nations.
Indeed, it is young people who build bridges of friendship between countries. Through education, science, culture, and volunteerism, they bring societies closer together and create new opportunities for intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and peaceful cooperation. Consequently, the United Nations, UNESCO, and numerous international organizations recognize youth diplomacy as one of the most effective mechanisms for promoting peace and sustainable development.
For Kazakhstan, whose foreign policy is firmly based on the principles of peace, dialogue, and multi-vector diplomacy, the promotion of humanitarian cooperation has become one of the country’s strategic priorities. President Tokayev has repeatedly emphasized that the success of international relations depends not only on political and economic achievements but also on the quality of human capital, education, scientific innovation, and the potential of younger generations.
Within this context, cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea deserves particular attention. Over the past thirty-four years, the bilateral relationship has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Today, cooperation encompasses a wide range of areas, including high technologies, investment, the digital economy, education, scientific research, culture, tourism, and youth policy.
One of the most remarkable examples of this growing partnership was the 54th PAS–TURAN Summer Camp 2026, held in Almaty from 28 June to 11 July 2026. The international youth volunteer programme was jointly organized by Turan University (Kazakhstan) and the Pacific Asia Society (PAS) of the Republic of Korea.
With a history spanning more than half a century, the Pacific Asia Society has successfully implemented international programmes promoting youth leadership, volunteerism, intercultural dialogue, and public diplomacy across numerous countries. Over the decades, thousands of young people have participated in PAS programmes, gaining international experience while developing a deeper appreciation of different cultures and societies.
The selection of Almaty as the venue for such a prestigious international programme clearly demonstrates Kazakhstan’s growing role in promoting international youth cooperation, educational exchange, scientific collaboration, and humanitarian diplomacy.
Almaty: A Regional Centre for Youth Diplomacy in Central Asia
The choice of Almaty as the host city was far from accidental.
Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest educational, scientific, cultural, and diplomatic centre. The city is home to leading universities, international organizations, diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, and numerous cultural and research institutions.
Hosting international forums, scientific conferences, youth meetings, educational projects, and cultural festivals has strengthened Almaty’s reputation as one of Central Asia’s principal platforms for international dialogue and cooperation.
In recent years, the city’s international profile has expanded significantly through the development of university diplomacy. Modern universities are no longer merely educational institutions; they have become influential actors in international cooperation, preparing future diplomats, scholars, public leaders, and professionals capable of addressing global challenges.
Among Kazakhstan’s universities, Turan University has established itself as one of the country’s most active institutions in international cooperation. Through partnerships with foreign universities, academic mobility programmes, international research projects, and educational initiatives, the university has made a substantial contribution to strengthening Kazakhstan’s global academic engagement.
PAS–TURAN Summer Camp 2026: A Platform for Friendship and Mutual Understanding
The official opening ceremony of PAS–TURAN Summer Camp 2026 became a true celebration of friendship between the young people of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea.
For two weeks, students from both countries lived, studied, and worked together as one international team. They explored each other’s history and culture, improved their English and Korean language skills, participated in volunteer activities, leadership workshops, sports competitions, creative events, and educational seminars.
The programme placed particular emphasis on leadership development, teamwork, intercultural communication, and international volunteerism.
Participants attended Korean language classes, workshops introducing contemporary Korean culture and K-pop, Taekwondo demonstrations, traditional games, debate sessions, creative competitions, sightseeing programmes, and the popular Buddy Time activities, which enabled students to build genuine friendships while learning about one another’s cultural traditions.
The camp’s central motto—”Together We Build the Bridge of Friendship Between Kazakhstan and Korea Through Youth Cooperation”—perfectly reflects the essence of contemporary public diplomacy. Genuine friendship between nations is built not solely through official agreements but through direct human interaction, shared experiences, mutual respect, cultural exchange, and collaborative work.
Through initiatives such as PAS–TURAN Summer Camp 2026, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea continue to invest not only in bilateral cooperation, but also in a future generation capable of strengthening international peace, dialogue, and sustainable development.
by Almasha Arenova, head of the Political Cooperation Department, Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty
