From 20 to 26 June and 22 to 28 July 2026, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, in partnership with the public foundation "Zhaiyk Zhuldyzy", supported the implementation of the TurKIDstan and PathMakers Burabay programmes for children and adolescents repatriated to Kazakhstan from conflict-affected areas through the humanitarian operations Zhusan and teenagers with signs of vulnerability to violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT). The initiatives were organized in co-operation with relevant national authorities as part of Kazakhstan's broader efforts to facilitate sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration of children and youth in their local communities.
The programmes brought together 15 children aged 8 to 14 years (six girls and nine boys) under the TurKIDstan initiative and 12 adolescents aged 13 to 16 years (six girls and six boys) under the PathMakers Burabay programme. Activities were facilitated by six specialists from the co-organizer - civil society organization "Zhaiyk Zhuldyzy" - together with an OSCE-engaged child psychologist, who provided continuous psychosocial support and conducted individual and group assessments throughout both programmes.
The initiatives combined structured psychosocial support with educational, cultural, environmental and team-building activities designed to strengthen resilience, promote positive social interaction and foster a sense of belonging. Through guided group discussions, interactive workshops, leadership exercises, creative activities and daily reflection sessions, participants developed communication, emotional regulation and co-operation skills while building trust and self-confidence in a supportive environment. The programmes also introduced participants to Kazakhstan's cultural and historical heritage through educational visits to significant cultural, historical, and natural sites in the Turkistan Region, Shymkent, Burabay, and Astana. Environmental activities, outdoor challenges and cultural experiences were integrated throughout the programmes to encourage teamwork, strengthen civic identity and promote respect for cultural diversity and the natural environment.
As part of the PathMakers Burabay programme, participants met Ambassadors-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Stanislav Vassilenko and Alua Nadirkulova to learn about their experience in representing the country as diplomats and discover professional career prospects in international relations. Together they visited UNICEF in Kazakhstan and the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, where they learned about UNICEF's work to advance the rights and well-being of children, as well as the OSCE's comprehensive approach to security and its efforts to promote peace, resilience, and co-operation across the region. The visit also included discussions on volunteering, education, career development and civic participation, providing participants with opportunities to broaden their aspirations and engage directly with international practitioners.
The programmes build on Kazakhstan's comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and reintegration and contribute to preventing violent extremism conducive to terrorism through child-sensitive, community-based interventions. By strengthening psychosocial well-being, social inclusion and positive identity formation among children and adolescents, the initiatives support the host country's long-term efforts to promote resilience, social cohesion and sustainable reintegration in line with OSCE commitments and international good practices.
