OpenSecrets Operations Director Greg Schneider speaks about government transparency in Kazakhstan during a November 2023 mission. (Image by Greg Schneider, OpenSecrets)
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 7, 2023 – In a groundbreaking initiative, OpenSecrets Director of Operations Greg Schneider traveled to Kazakhstan in November 2023 to collaborate with Community Exchange Program fellow Nazerke Batyrbek. The mission aimed to enhance transparency and disclosure surrounding lobbying in the country.
Supported by a grant through the U.S. State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Community Engagement Exchange Program and implemented by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), Batyrbek is spearheading a project to develop a prototype website fostering greater government transparency and public trust in Kazakhstan.
The goal of the Community Exchange Program is to empower participants to assume greater leadership roles and create a pipeline of global leaders.
Build capacity for civil society leaders and civil society organizations by equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, experiences, and democratic principles necessary to be informed and active members of their communities..
Strengthen participants’ ability to lead collaboratively and ethically, while addressing issues of public concern.
Develop a global network of diverse, multi-disciplinary civil society and community leaders that contribute to a global civil society ecosystem and work together to develop multifaceted and innovative approaches to healthy and resilient communities.
As part of the program, Batyrbek served as a Community Exchange Fellow with OpenSecrets for a three-month practicum. Batyrbek was matched with OpenSecrets due to her desire to create a more transparent, accountable government in her home country. During her time with OpenSecrets, Batyrbek learned from OpenSecrets experts about the best practices of government transparency here in the U.S. and project management techniques. Batyrbek also assisted in gathering and cleaning government data.
For her project, Batyrbek researched the opinions of Kazakh citizens around lobbying and disclosure as preparation for framing possible policy for her home country. She is currently working on a protoype website to demonstrate the possibilities within Kazakhstan.
The ongoing project involves the technical development of a website aimed at increasing transparency around Kazakhstan’s money in politics. The next phase includes launching the prototype website, engaging citizens on lobbying concepts and leveraging insights to inform the site’s content. A core goal of the project is to educate people on the ethical use of lobbying as a form of political engagement.
The collaborative effort included impactful presentations at various institutions, engaging in thought-provoking discussions with students and advocates. The team addressed topics ranging from the influence of social media on politics to the nuances of lobbying and its distinctions from corruption.
At the University of Turkistan, located at the cultural center of Kazakhstan, Schneider and Batyrbek discussed how transparency combats corruption. Batyrbek shared her experiences and project insights, while Schneider provided an overview of government transparency in the United States. Engaging discussions with students ranged from the influence of social media on politics to the pros and cons of transparency.
At the Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations and World Languages, the team explored the intersection of corruption and lobbying, fielding questions from an enthusiastic group of youth. Discussions delved into individual impact on government, the economic implications of corruption and transparency gaps in both the U.S. and Kazakhstan governments.
Community Exchange Program fellow Nazerke Batyrbek, Transparency International Kazakhstan founder Aidar Yegeubayev are pictured with OpenSecrets Director of Operations Greg Schneider in Kazakhstan during the November 2023 trip (Image by Greg Schneider, OpenSecrets)
Collaborating with Transparency International, the team engaged journalists and advocates in a workshop on corruption and transparency in Kazakhstan. Aidar Yegeubayev, the founder of Transparency International Kazakhstan, spoke alongside Batyrbek and Schneider on the state of disclosure in Kazakhstan. Discussions highlighted the practicality of transparency initiatives and the potential transition from bribery to regulated lobbying.
At the U.S. Embassy and American Space in Almaty, the team presented on lobbying, how it is differentiated from corruption and the ethical use of lobbying as a form of political engagement. The conversation explored external actors’ roles and the nuances of political activities within the lobbying framework.
Cultural exploration played a vital role in the mission. Visits to the Museum of Victims of Political Repression, the Ancient City in Shymkent and the cultural center of Kazakhstan in Turkistan provided valuable insights into the nation’s history, culture and governance.
Schneider highlighted three key lessons learned during the experience:
Shifting the Narrative: Emphasizing the positive aspects of using money to represent citizens in lobbying efforts proved to be a powerful tool in engaging Kazakhstan’s youth, fostering energy and commitment to democratic values.
Election Transparency: Understanding the historical context of elections being used as weapons in repressive environments underscored the importance of fair, free and transparent elections to prevent manipulation.
Lobbying vs. Bribery: Distinguishing lobbying from bribery by ensuring that policymakers, not lobbyists, benefit from financial contributions emerged as a crucial aspect. Energizing discussions in Kazakhstan focused on creating lobbying as a legitimate profession to positively impact the economy.
OpenSecrets remains committed to advancing global transparency and empowering citizens to participate actively in democratic processes.
About OpenSecrets
Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, OpenSecrets is the nation’s premier research group tracking and reporting on money in U.S. politics and its impact on elections and public policy. Created in 2021 by the merger of the Center for Responsive Politics and the National Institute on Money in Politics, OpenSecrets’ mission is to track the flow of money in American politics and provide the data and analysis to strengthen democracy. Our vision is for Americans to use this knowledge to create a more vibrant, representative and accountable democracy.