Nazarbayev University authors published a book on policy communication in Kazakhstan
The book “A Primer on Policy Communication in Kazakhstan” is written by three authors from the Graduate School of Public Policy with case studies based on Kazakhstan’s policy situations
Book presentation of the “A Primer on Policy Communication in Kazakhstan” was held at Nazarbayev University on November 12, 2019. Basskaran Nair, a visiting professor from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, Saltanat Janenova, an assistant professor at the Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy and Balzhan Serikbayeva, a Ph.D. doctoral student at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy, contributed to the book. Altay Kulginov, mayor of Nur-Sultan city and Gani Nygymetov, head of the Domestic Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan, press-secretaries of the ministries, representatives from public and private sectors, professors from the academia and universities, researchers, media experts, PR-specialists and students visited the official book launch.
“A Primer on Policy Communication in Kazakhstan” considers communication as the core initiative to ensure the successful implementation of the government’s policy.
The book’s wide range of topics cover media management, marketing of complex policies, planning successful campaigns, soft power management, crisis management, and shareholder relations.
The book has a theoretical foundation, as well as the practical cases, and will be relevant for civil service, civic organizations, commercial entities, policy researchers, international organizations. And for everyone who is interested and engaged in communication.
Kishore Mahbubani, the Founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, noted in a book review: “We live in a rapidly changing world and public policies are increasingly complex. Governments have to learn the art of communicating well to win public support. Basskaran is one of the most experienced communicators Singapore has produced. Working closely with his fellows at Nazarbayev University, he has produced a timely book with excellent case studies. It is a must-read for key policy planners in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.”
“A Primer on Policy Communication in Kazakhstan is an extremely instructive book with relevant case studies to help the reader navigate policy complexity. As a relatively new nation of less than three decades, and facing many challenges, Kazakhstan is committed to be among the best in the world in its public policy delivery. This book on policy execution and effective communication is pathbreaking contribution for policymakers in Kazakhstan and the region.”, – Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Panos Liverakos, Technical Adviser to the UNDP/Astana Hub of Civil Service: “This book provides a valuable contribution as there is not much knowledge on modern communication methods in the post-Soviet countries which are still accustomed to communicating information in the form of government directives and public addresses of the highest officials mostly. As a primer, it provides an opportunity to be used in teaching of several areas in the social sciences that deal with politics and the government.”
For information:
Basskaran Nair is currently a Visiting Professor at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy (NUGSPP), as part of an exchange program with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. He is the author of several books including A Primer on Policy Communications in Kazakhstan (2019), Marketing Public Policy: Complexity, Hurts, and Minefields (2017), A Primer on Public Relations in Singapore (1986), which was a textbook for training public relations practitioners in Singapore. In late 1990s he wrote a series of books on Social Media entitled “From Main Street to Cyber Street: Changes in the Practice of Communications”. He was previously President of the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore. Basskaran first worked as a journalist, followed by more than 40 years in managing the public campaigns programmes, shareholder communication, public affairs counsel and social and corporate marketing communications.
Dr. Saltanat Janenova has published in international academic journals on public sector reforms in Kazakhstan and Central Asia region.
GSPP. The Graduate School of Public Policy’s mission is improving the quality of life of the people of Kazakhstan and Central Asia by training leaders to improve governance through excellence in teaching, research and executive development that focuses on key policy and leadership challenges. GSPP maintains a strong strategic partnership with the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. GSPP incorporates scientific research into its teaching to provide one of the most innovative and progressive master’s and Ph.D. programs in the Central Asian region. GSPP’s degree programs include the Master in Public Policy, Master in Public Administration, and the Ph.D. in Public Policy. In 2019 NU GSPP received formal accreditation from the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA). www.gspp.nu.edu.kz