On November 13, 2019, the Ust-Kamenogorsk City Debate Tournament among students of higher education institutions and colleges of Ust-Kamenogorsk, titled “We Are Young – We Choose!” took place, with six teams participating. The organizers of the tournament were the Kazakhstan International Foundation for Legal Cooperation, the East Kazakhstan Regional Election Commission, and the East Kazakhstan Regional Branch of DPK “Ak Zhol.”

The purpose of the debate tournament was to raise the level of legal electoral culture among young voters, stimulate interest in the study of electoral law and the electoral process, and foster an active civic position among the younger generation by engaging them in discussions on relevant topics.

In his opening speech, Talgat Kurmangaliyev, chairman of the East Kazakhstan Regional Branch of DPK “Ak Zhol,” noted that debates are an excellent tool for developing leadership qualities and competencies necessary for future politicians and lawyers.

Doctor of Law and deputy of the Ust-Kamenogorsk City Maslikhat from DPK “Ak Zhol,” K. H. Rakhimberdin, said, “Youth is the most important social and electoral resource of society. We are interested in the involvement of young people in the socio-political life of the republic and the country, including in elections – both as voters and as organizers, candidates, and other participants in the electoral process. It is very important for us to hear the opinions of young people.”

The members of the jury were K. H. Rakhimberdin, Doctor of Law and deputy of the Ust-Kamenogorsk City Maslikhat from DPK “Ak Zhol,” A. A. Kalenova, Director of the East Kazakhstan Center for Mediation and Law “Alternative,” and J. K. Ziaiatova, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Law and International Relations at KASU.

The winners of the debate were:

Among the universities of Ust-Kamenogorsk, first place went to the “Juristics” team from S. Amanzholov EKSU; second place went to the “Leaders of KASU” team; third place went to the “Cicero” team from S. Amanzholov EKSU.

Among the colleges of Ust-Kamenogorsk, first place went to the Higher College of KASU; second place to the “Femida” team from the Higher College of S. Amanzholov EKSU; third place to the team from the Ust-Kamenogorsk College of Economics and Finance.

The best speaker of the tournament, chosen by secret ballot, was Erbolat Kemaladin, captain of the “Juristics” team from EKSU, who received a valuable prize.

The organizers awarded the winners with valuable prizes and certificates.

Representatives of the student youth requested that debate tournaments on current legal issues be held regularly and that more youth from East Kazakhstan be involved in these events.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that more and more Kazakhstani youth are adopting active civic positions, showing interest in issues of electoral law and the electoral process, increasing electoral activity, and participating in the preparation and conduct of elections.