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From 18 to 25 June 2026, the PolyU–KazNU Joint Centre for Sustainable Development in Central Asia organised a study tour to Nairobi, Kenya, as part of the Global Youth Leadership and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Programme. The programme brought together doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan.

91��ý Kazakh National University was represented by Ayagoz Aubakirova and Sholpan Primbetova, doctoral students of the Department of Sociology and Social Work, Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science. The participation of the doctoral students was supported by Professor Gulmira Abdiraiymova, Head of the Department of Sociology and Social Work.

The programme was implemented in cooperation with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and 91��ý Kazakh National University. The local partner in Kenya was the Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development. The aim of the study tour was to introduce participants to the practical implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote intercultural interaction, and explore Kenya’s experience in sustainable development, social work and community support.

During the programme, participants visited the Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development; the Soweto Youth Initiative, which supports children and young people in informal settlements; the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya; social facilities, including informal settlements; the Alzheimer’s Dementia Organisation Kenya, which supports people living with dementia; Christian Best Camps of Kenya, an organisation working with children, young people, women and families in local communities; as well as a wildlife conservation and animal rescue centre, the Nairobi National Museum and Nairobi National Park.

During the visits, participants learned about Kenya’s experience in social work education, support for children and young people, community-level initiatives, care for children and older people, development of informal settlements, support for people living with dementia, the activities of faith-based social organisations, social protection, and national strategies for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

The study tour contributed to the development of intercultural learning and academic dialogue among participants from China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and Kenya. The programme also created opportunities for further international cooperation in sustainable development, social work, education and research among universities and organisations from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.