Local resident in Almaty designs groundbreaking accessory that presents blood glucose levels
**Youth Development Index Implemented in Kazakhstan: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Youth Policy and Support**
Kazakhstan has taken a significant step forward in supporting its young population, as the Youth Development Index (YDI) has been implemented in the country. This international practice, implemented in 170 countries worldwide, aims to provide comprehensive support to young people by assessing youth policy and support.
The YDI consists of five criteria, which are made up of 15 indicators: education, health and well-being, employment, and civil and political participation. Kazakhstan's integration of the YDI aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to poverty reduction, health, gender equality, decent work, and strong institutions.
The Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, gave the instruction for the implementation during a Parliament session in Almaty. The implementation is aimed at providing comprehensive support to young people, with a focus on employment, healthy lifestyle, and 'Urzhaktyr sabaktastygy' - a term that is not explicitly defined but is likely to refer to personal development and growth.
One example of the potential impact of the YDI is the GlucoMed bracelet, an innovative non-invasive blood sugar level measuring device developed by Erdalet Bekov, a 27-year-old resident of Almaty. The device, which eliminates the need for invasive methods for blood sugar checks, has attracted around $200,000 in investments and has already sparked interest abroad.
Meanwhile, the chief specialist of the youth resource center, Zhana Arnaeva, noted that they work in seven directions as per the President's instructions. The resource centers, located in all 8 districts of Almaty, provide consultations for unemployed youth on developing startup projects.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also emphasized the need for deputies to legally establish the concept of "youth social service" and stated that the current children and youth will determine the labor market of Kazakhstan by 2050. The establishment of the Youth Policy Council, a key institutional mechanism to improve youth policy implementation and coordinate activities, serves as a testament to the government's commitment to youth development.
The integration of youth priorities into the National Adaptation Plan, the National Action Plan 2025–2027 to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2250, which focuses on Youth, Peace, and Security, and the Parliamentary Commission for Monitoring SDG implementation all demonstrate a strategic mainstreaming of youth issues into environmental and sustainable development policy areas.
Regional cooperation initiatives, such as the Central Asia Youth Dialogue and upcoming youth forums coordinated with international organizations, aim to enhance youth participation in policy dialogue and cross-border learning, increasing the regional impact of youth development strategies.
While explicit YDI scores or detailed YDI-specific criteria and indicators for Kazakhstan were not present in the search results, the country's integration of youth development into SDG monitoring, national action plans, and youth empowerment frameworks represents its practical approach to implementing youth development strategies in line with global standards.
In conclusion, the implementation of the Youth Development Index in Kazakhstan reflects a holistic yet institutionally embedded approach to youth development, driven by sustainable development goals and international frameworks that align closely with the principles measured by the Youth Development Index. The potential benefits of this implementation are evident in the success stories of innovative projects like the GlucoMed bracelet and the efforts of youth resource centers to support entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for young people.
The implementation of the Youth Development Index (YDI) in Kazakhstan involves an assessment of youth policy and support across multiple domains, such as education, health and well-being, employment, and civil and political participation. This aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to health and gender equality.
With the GlucoMed bracelet, a non-invasive device for measuring blood sugar levels, a 27-year-old resident of Almaty has leveraged technology to innovate in the medical-conditions sector, demonstrating the potential impact of the YDI on health-and-wellness.
