When discussing social policy, it is important to focus first and foremost not on emotions, but on tangible results

Important changes to the system of state social support are currently being discussed. The key principle is that assistance should be provided not simply on the basis of the number of people covered, but according to genuine need. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has previously emphasised that social assistance should be provided to citizens who genuinely need it.

Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population Askarbek Yertayev has also spoken about the transition towards a proactive model: the state should not wait until a citizen asks for assistance, but should identify difficult life circumstances at an early stage. This represents an important shift in social policy and requires broad public discussion.

What does the principle of “not waiting until a person asks for help” mean?

The essence of the new approach to social policy is to reduce the need for citizens to search for information themselves, approach different institutions and collect numerous documents.

The Ministry is developing a proactive model in the areas of social support and employment. This means using digital data to identify difficult life circumstances at an early stage and offer people the support they need.

The purpose of social policy is to expand people’s opportunities. This principle is particularly important when it comes to children.

Social assistance is not simply about statistics. The state allocates significant resources to social support. However, what matters to society is not only the amount of funding provided, but also how effectively that support works.

If assistance genuinely reaches a citizen in need, its social impact increases. Therefore, when discussing social policy, it is important to focus first and foremost not on emotions, but on tangible results.

Did a family in need receive the support it required?

Did a child gain access to the necessary services and resources?

Was a citizen able to find employment?

Has access to public services become easier?

Only when there are clear answers to these questions can the effectiveness of social reform be properly assessed.

In my view, the state and society ultimately share the same objective: no citizen in genuine need should be left without support.