25 May 2012 | 19:15

Tony Blair told Kazakhstan students about importance of competitive parties and free press

Photo courtesy of Nazarbayev University's Communications and Marketing Department

Former Prime-Minister of Great Britain Tony Blair gave a lecture at Nazarbayev University, a prominent university of Astana, Kazakhstan Tengrinews.kz reports citing the University’s Communications and Marketing Department. Blair told the students and professors of the University that he was more fond of rock‘n’roll than politics at young age. Blair counts on the young generation and believes that it is most important to be open to the opportunities of the modern world and be able to make informed decisions. Blair’s lecture was titled Challenges and Opportunities in the Global World. He stressed that Kazakhstan was at the new stage of economic, social and political development. “The status quo is not an option. There has to be the development of proper systems of democratic participation, with competitive political parties, responsible but free press, adherence to Kazakhstan's hard won reputation for religious tolerance, judicial and other reforms to enhance the rule of law, and an attack not just on corruption but on the systems in areas like public procurement that sustain it,” he said. The British politician wrote in the Honorable Guest Book: “I am delighted to come to this new and exciting place of learning. The future is in educating young people to be open minded. Nazarbayev University is an example of how this is done in Kazakhstan”.

Former Prime-Minister of Great Britain Tony Blair gave a lecture at Nazarbayev University, a prominent university of Astana, Kazakhstan Tengrinews.kz reports citing the University’s Communications and Marketing Department. Blair told the students and professors of the University that he was more fond of rock‘n’roll than politics at young age. Blair counts on the young generation and believes that it is most important to be open to the opportunities of the modern world and be able to make informed decisions. Blair’s lecture was titled Challenges and Opportunities in the Global World. He stressed that Kazakhstan was at the new stage of economic, social and political development. “The status quo is not an option. There has to be the development of proper systems of democratic participation, with competitive political parties, responsible but free press, adherence to Kazakhstan's hard won reputation for religious tolerance, judicial and other reforms to enhance the rule of law, and an attack not just on corruption but on the systems in areas like public procurement that sustain it,” he said. The British politician wrote in the Honorable Guest Book: “I am delighted to come to this new and exciting place of learning. The future is in educating young people to be open minded. Nazarbayev University is an example of how this is done in Kazakhstan”.

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