Over the past few years, Kazakhstan has made a deliberate effort to elevate volunteerism—from declaring 2020 the Year of Volunteers, to championing 2024 as the Year of the Volunteer Movement in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and creating momentum toward 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development.

В последние годы в стране и, шире, в Центральной Азии волонтерство получило целенаправленное развитие. Сначала был Год волонтеров в Казахстане в 2020-м, затем – Год волонтерского движения в СНГ в 2024-м. Сейчас, во многом благодаря инициативе Казахстана, нарастает импульс 2026 года как Международного года добровольцев под эгидой Организации Объединенных Наций.

Co-creating the futureThe seed planted in me by my father’s passion and by volunteering itself remains central throughout my career. Volunteering, I believe, turns people from passive recipients of development into co-creators of their futures. It builds sustainable solutions because communities own them, not because they receive them.

Working across UN headquarters and country offices, I have been inspired by countless colleagues who dedicate themselves to impact. But inspiration also comes from outside the UN. When I travel to communities across Malawi or speak with mothers, farmers, entrepreneurs and people building better lives for their families, I am reminded why I do this work; not because of a job title, but because of a calling that began as many meaningful things do, with volunteering.A volunteer at heart

Finding purpose through service, I didn’t start volunteering with a grand plan. I joined organisations like Transparency International and Amnesty International because I cared about their causes and wanted to help. What I didn’t realize then was how much those experiences would define my future. 

Finding my callingAs a young girl, I often questioned the inequalities I saw around me. I watched girls my age held back by barriers such as exclusion and lack of opportunity, and I knew something had to change. I felt drawn to act. That curiosity grew into a calling. I sought spaces where I could contribute meaningfully, helping others overcome the obstacles in their way. What started as compassion became a lifelong mission to expand opportunity for those too often left behind. 

What is your educational background? I have a bachelor’s degree in Russian Studies/Political Science and a master’s degree in International Relations with focus on conflicts and transformations in the Middle East.

The SWVR Global Webinar Series forms part of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) wider dissemination and engagement efforts. The series will unpack the report’s key findings, explore its analytical frameworks and tools, and support regional and country‑level rollout through established UN and partner processes.