LocationsUNDP delivers training for psychologists and school administrators in Kyzylorda and Mangystau regions
October 2, 2024
Asel Muratova, emotional intelligence coach, is delivering training.
From 9 to 28 September, with support from UNDP, training sessions were held in Aktau and Kyzylorda for psychologists and school administrators, focusing on working with youth exhibiting deviant behavior and developing emotional intelligence. The training brought together school principals and their deputies for educational work, as well as psychologists from schools and penitentiary institutions in the Kyzylorda and Mangistau regions—pilot areas under a regional UNDP project aimed at promoting resilient communities to prevent violent extremism in Central Asia. The initiative, funded by the Government of Japan, represents a collective effort to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Training participants in Kyzylorda
During the training, over 90 psychologists who work with at-risk youth learned about the principles of personality profiling and the methodology for creating psychological portraits. Special attention was given to approaches for engaging with adolescents demonstrating deviant behavior and strategies for enhancing emotional intelligence when interacting with them. Participants also explored methods for the early identification of tendencies toward illegal behavior, a critical component in preventing adolescent delinquency.
“Deviant behavior among young people is a pressing issue across many countries. As psychologists, we are dedicated to prevention, but involving teenagers and their parents in this conversation is equally important. In Kazakhstan, the development of emotional intelligence is gaining more significance, and I’m genuinely pleased to see that after attending such seminars, many begin to reflect on this and seek ways to enhance their emotional intelligence. The ability to recognize, understand, and manage our emotions is a skill everyone should nurture,”shared Kuralay Imanalieva, Head of the Psychological Support Center at Korkyt Ata University in Kyzylorda.
Kuralay Imanalieva, Head of the Psychological Support Center at Korkyt Ata University in Kyzylorda
At the same time, around 60 representatives from school administrations focused on strategies for working with vulnerable groups of young people. They studied techniques to foster critical thinking in adolescents as a preventive measure against deviant behavior and learned to recognize and manage both their own emotions and those of their students, which is essential for building effective interactions. Additionally, the training covered approaches for engaging with students’ values and beliefs, helping to establish trust and prevent potential conflicts.
Training participants in Aktau
“Training psychologists and educators to work with youth on safety issues is crucial for creating a sustainable and healthy environment where young people can develop while avoiding the risks of violence, bullying, and other threats. It also ensures they feel protected both physically and emotionally. As a result of the training, we received numerous positive responses from participants eager to apply their newly acquired knowledge in their work,”said Asel Muratova, emotional intelligence coach.
Asel Muratova, emotional intelligence coach, is delivering training
These training sessions provided an important platform for sharing experiences and practical skills, equipping teachers and psychologists with tools to carry out preventive work with youth, thereby supporting their successful socialization and self-realization.
In addition, under this initiative, UNDP organized training sessions on preventing youth radicalization and developing emotional intelligence for law enforcement officers in the Kyzylorda and Mangistau regions. A Youth Camp was also held at Suleyman Demirel University (SDU) in Almaty, where more than 100 NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth from these regions received training in entrepreneurship, financial and media literacy, digital skills, public speaking, and effective communication.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
UNDP plays an active role in preventing violent extremism globally through integrated policies and programs. Drawing on the UN Secretary-General's Action Plan on Preventing Violent Extremism and SDG 16, UNDP has developed the strategy “Preventing Violent Extremism through Inclusive Development and Promoting Tolerance and Respect for Diversity,” which serves as a guide for extremism prevention programs around the world.
Logos of UNDP and the Government of Japan
