Executive Summary
The Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy (CCRL) Training for Government Officials, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from December 9–14, 2024, marked a significant step toward advancing religious literacy and social cohesion within the country’s governance structures. Organized by LYNC in collaboration with Caspian University and funded by the Templeton Religion Trust, this was the first accredited training of its kind for Kazakhstan’s Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA) officials. The program provided 72 hours of structured training, equipping 17 provincial CRA leaders with essential skills to navigate religious diversity using the framework of Covenantal Pluralism. Featuring world-class instruction from global and regional experts, the training emphasized multi-faith engagement, mediation, and legal perspectives on religious governance, fostering collaborative partnerships between government officials and diverse religious communities. A key achievement was the graduation of new CCRL-certified officials, who are now positioned to influence public policy implementation, societal norms, and religious minority rights protections. Looking ahead, LYNC is expanding CCRL training in 2025, including an advanced session for law enforcement officials in Shymkent and an introductory workshop for central government agencies to discuss the integration of religious literacy into Kazakhstan’s national education system.
Introduction
The CCRL training for government officials, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, marked a significant milestone in fostering religious literacy and social cohesion. Organized by LYNC in partnership with Caspian University and financed by Templeton Religion Trust, this was the first-ever accredited training of its kind for Kazakhstan’s Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA) officials.
The program, which included 72 hours of structured training, equipped provincial government leaders with tools to navigate religious diversity effectively through the lens of Covenantal Pluralism. The Office of the Mayor in Almaty, represented by Mr. Nurlan Kikimov, endorsed this initiative, and Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister for Information and Social Development, Kanat
Iskakov, supported it. Iskakov had previously met with LYNC representatives in Prague. At his request, seventeen CRA leaders from fifteen of Kazakhstan’s 16 provinces attended the program.
Training Overview
The training integrated global perspectives and practical applications of religious literacy, featuring contributions from:
- Imam Nazirkhan Tashkhojaev and Pastor Arman Arenbayev (Kazakhstan)
- Mr. Attila Miklovicz (Hungary)
- Dr. Sukhsimranjit Singh (Pepperdine University, USA)
- Dr. Roman Podoprigora (Kazakhstan, Constitutional Judge and International Legal Expert)
- Dr. Chris Seiple (LYN Community Senior Fellow)
- Dr. Julia Podoprigora (Kazakhstan)
- Dr. Al-Farabi Bolajan (Al-Farabi Kazakh National University)
The curriculum was designed to model cross-cultural and multi-faith engagement, focusing on:
- Provide government officials with ideas on how to open and support paths for collaboration across faiths.
- Breaking stereotypes and fostering empathy
- Understanding the dynamics of identity politics and majority influence
- Developing strategies for religious literacy in governance
- Enhancing negotiation, mediation, and communication skills
Key Highlights
1. Establishing a Sustainable CCRL Program
This training successfully established a self-sufficient CCRL model that ensures long-term sustainability and local ownership. The training not only provided critical religious literacy tools but also laid the foundation for ongoing implementation within Kazakhstan’s governance structures.
2. Graduation of CCRL Course Participants
One of the major accomplishments of this initiative was the graduation of at least seventeen new CCRL course participants, who are now equipped with the skills necessary to impact public policy implementation, societal norms, and treatment of religious minority groups through their understanding of cross-cultural religious literacy.
4. Legal Perspectives on Religion & the Rule of Law
A session led by Constitutional Judge Dr. Roman Podoprigora, an international legal expert, provided crucial insights into Kazakhstan’s legal context regarding religious freedom. He noted a
shift from Soviet-era governance, where “the state had the rights, and citizens had a commitment to the state,” to a modern system where citizens hold rights, and the state is committed to upholding them.
5. Strengthening Government and Faith Relations
The training created an unprecedented platform for engagement between Kazakhstan’s provincial religious affairs officials and diverse faith representatives, including those from the Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Bahá’í, LDS, Hindu, and Moon traditions. LYNC’s Wade Kusack facilitated thought-provoking discussions, challenging stereotypes and fostering multi-faith understanding.
A Memorable Closing & Certificates Awarded
As the program concluded, each government official received a certificate, formally recognizing their commitment to cross-cultural religious literacy. The final evening featured a heartfelt celebratory dinner, where each official expressed gratitude through toasts reflecting on their learning journey. A traditional song about returning to one’s village and appreciating its beauty and community encapsulated the spirit of the program—cross-cultural religious literacy in practice.
Conclusion
This training stands as a landmark achievement in Kazakhstan’s evolving approach to religious freedom and governance. The participation of 17 provincial CRA officials, coupled with the expertise of global and local instructors, underscores the potential for long-term impact.
LYNC remains committed to supporting Kazakhstan in this time of great progress, recognizing that true change comes not just from policies but from people. The relationships built, perspectives shared, and lessons learned in Almaty will continue shaping religious literacy and social cohesion in the region.
Looking Ahead
As the program moves forward, the next phase in 2025 will focus on expanding CCRL training, refining methodologies, and deepening engagement with government officials and religious communities.To further institutionalize CCRL training in Kazakhstan, LYNC has formally requested the government’s support for two key initiatives. The first is an advanced CCRL training specifically designed for law enforcement officials involved in religious affairs. This program aims to equip them with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of religious engagement effectively. It is tentatively scheduled to take place on May 28–29, 2025, in Shymkent.
The second initiative involves introducing the CCRL model to central government officials. Several government representatives have recommended a brief workshop for key agencies such as the Office of the President of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Education, and other relevant bodies. The goal of this workshop is to explore the potential integration of CCRL into the national educational system. This session is tentatively planned to take place immediately following the Congress in September 2025.These initiatives will help establish CCRL as a fundamental tool in promoting religious literacy, social cohesion, and informed policy-making within Kazakhstan.
