The ELSA

ELSA KazakhstanFar Away from the Centre of the ELSA World,but Close to the ELSA SpiritWhen we started to write this article wewere afraid our story would be like areport. The beginning was the most difficult;we had been sitting up until the lateevening. Then we were thinking, could yousee the article in a dream? That is actuallywhat happened, like Mendeleev saw hisperiodical table of the chemical elements.So, here it is for you to judge.ELSA made its first steps in Kazakhstan in1995 when ELSA Kazakhstan became anobserver of ELSA.ELSA Kazakhstan began its activities on the30th of November 1999 when it registeredin the Ministry of Justice of the Republic ofKazakhstan. The hard work and enthusiasmof the National Board allowed ELSAKazakhstan to be recognized by ELSA membercountries. Finally, in March 2001 onELSA’s 20th Anniversary in Vienna, ELSAKazakhstan became a member of ELSA.“ELSA came to Kazakhstan. Nobody knewat that moment how it appears toKazakhstani students and only now aftermore than two years we realise what anenormous meaning that event had.Kazakhstani law students became a part ofone international whole, got an opportunityto communicate with their associates inother countries, and to learn many things,which are already familiar to their friendsand colleagues all over Europe. They learntwhat ELSA is. From the moment ELSAKazakhstan was established it became anessential part of many students’ lives andmore and more students are gettinginvolved. ELSA takes its position inKazakhstan running activities, awarding itsmembers with valuable skills and knowledge,and of course leaves sweet memories.And now the new generation of ELSAniensin Kazakhstan will continue what has beendone before – to build a just world in whichthere is respect for human dignity and culturaldiversity. ”Arailym IbraevaPresident ELSA KazakhstanFor two years we worked hard on the locallevel. In most cases our events were relatedto the S&C and AA area. Our greatestevents were seminars on Consumer’s Rights,Trafficking of Women, Refugee Rights,Securities Issues, Round Tables on Terrorismand The Issues of Advocacy. But our membersalso participated in internationalevents, such as International CouncilMeetings, the Central and EasternEuropean Meeting. We also participated ata non-ELSA event but in which ELSA wasalso involved, that is the First InternationalCongress of the Young Penalists’ Section ofthe International Penal Law Association inItaly. Isn’t that a sign that ELSA Kazakhstanis on the way to the international arena?“What can be said of ELSA Kazakhstan?Despite the objective difficulties of the geographicalposition, which makes every travela journey, in little more than two yearsthey have demonstrated an exceptionalenthusiasm and a huge understanding ofthe ELSA Spirit. Everyone admired theirnational costumes in Coimbra and personallyI still remember their song during theELSA Vision Contest in Warsaw: A mix ofRussian and oriental flavour.”Guido CostantiniSecretary General ELSA Italy 2000-2001ELSA Kazakhstan is expanding. There aretwo local groups in Almaty and Astana nowand a national group. The expansion of theassociation aims to unite law students andyoung lawyers all over Kazakhstan in spiteof the huge territory. Now we are workinghard on founding two more local groups.Opening a new local group in Kazakhstanwith a territory of 1,049,150 square miles islike creating a new national group forsomeone else.“What does ELSA Kazakhstan mean forme? The beauty of its name, the beauty ofits projects, diligence and professional skillsof its members, which make it irresistible tothose, who relate to this organisation in anyway, distinguish ELSA Kazakhstan.ELSA Kazakhstan is a very serious organisation.Have a look at the projects it handles,talk to its members, participating in itsnumerous events – you will not have a singledoubt about the fact that this organisationdoes help students to improve theirprofessional level, demonstrate skills andknowledge, learn how to work and rest!The time I spent in ELSA Kazakhstan mademe realise that. When I look back at myyears as a student, I understand that theyears with ELSA Kazakhstan are the happiestones! “Vladimir Sorokin,Founder of ELSA AstanaELSA Kazakhstan is growing every day,every week. We have great plans and weintend to work hard to implement theminto real life, creating our own website,study visits with ELSA Krakow and ELSABashkortostan, Virtual Seminars andConferences, regular study visits betweenAnna Pilskaya,Zarina KunanbayevaELSA Kazakhstanlocal groups, expansion to the West toCaspian Sea as well as daily work. And thisis not the full list of our priorities.“I believe that ELSA Kazakhstan has greatpotential with its’ enormous quantity oflaw schools in the country, big territory andhuge interest in legal education whichappeared during the last 10 years. I havealready observed evidence of exceptionalsuccess in the legal careers of the peoplewho participated in ELSA’s development inKazakhstan and have contributed to thestrengthening and spreading of this organisationin our region during the last 2 years.Having such a peculiar geographical locationKazakhstan, as a Member of ELSA, canmake an exchange of experience betweenlaw students in the ELSA world extremelythrilling and fantastic! “Karina SultanovaPresident of ELSA Kazakhstan 1999-2000And as the eagle on our national flag, ourideals fly high as we gladly join the ranks ofELSA!32