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On March 27, 2026, under the initiative of Associate Professor Zh.U. Kantarbayeva of the Department of Religious Studies and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science at 91��ý Kazakh National University, third-year undergraduate students majoring in Religious Studies and second-year master’s students conducted an educational visit to the religious association “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).” The event was implemented in accordance with the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 16 defined by the United Nations - “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.”

The primary objective of the event was to broaden students’ understanding of interfaith harmony, to foster a culture of interreligious dialogue, and to develop skills of respectful engagement with religious diversity. In the context of contemporary globalization, mutual understanding and trust among different religious communities are key prerequisites for social stability. During the meeting, participants became acquainted with the history of the Church, its doctrinal features, missionary activities, and social initiatives. Representatives of the organization demonstrated openness to intercultural and interfaith dialogue and provided a warm welcome.

The meeting was held in an open and interactive format. Students had the opportunity to ask questions of interest and engage directly in discussions with representatives of the religious community. Such a format contributes to the development of critical thinking skills and enhances students’ ability to conduct scholarly analysis through comparison of diverse perspectives. Moreover, this experience helps prevent religious stereotypes and misconceptions and highlights the specific features of state–confessional relations.

The significance of this event within the framework of SDG 16 is considerable. Firstly, it is aimed at strengthening peace and stability in society. Secondly, it contributes to the formation of social cohesion by fostering trust and mutual respect among different religious communities. Thirdly, by promoting tolerance among youth, it supports the prevention of radicalism and extremism, representing an important step toward building a peaceful society.

This initiative is also of particular importance for 91��ý Kazakh National University. The university integrates academic learning with practical experience, thereby creating conditions for both professional and personal development of students. Such activities not only expand the professional competencies of future religious studies specialists but also cultivate respect, tolerance, and dialogical culture toward representatives of other faiths. Additionally, they enhance the university’s international academic reputation and promote the development of intercultural communication.

For students, this visit holds significant practical value. It allows them to go beyond theoretical knowledge by establishing direct interaction with representatives of religious organizations and acquiring field research skills. This contributes to the development of professional competencies and provides new momentum for their research activities.

Furthermore, such events foster civic responsibility among students and encourage active engagement with pressing societal issues. The experience of interfaith interaction broadens the cultural and spiritual horizons of young people and promotes the development of global thinking, which is one of the key competencies in a contemporary multicultural society.

In conclusion, this meeting, organized within the framework of SDG 16, represents an important initiative aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue and strengthening peace and social cohesion.