A Training-of-Trainers on the Nexus Approach Simulation Was Held at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

Almaty, April 22, 2025 — At the invitation of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), trainers from the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) conducted a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) workshop on interactive modeling of the Nexus approach using the Nexus Game.

The event took place on April 16-17, 2025, and brought together faculty members from the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Management.

The two-day training combined both theory and practice. On the first day, participants explored the theoretical foundations of the Nexus approach, studied the game rules, and played six rounds of the simulation, each featuring different scenarios. On the second day, the university faculty members independently facilitated the game under the guidance of certified trainer Zamira Zholdaskyzy, practicing their facilitation and decision-making skills.

During the simulation, participants assumed the roles of ministers and prime ministers of fictional countries, managing water, energy, and food resources while facing climate change challenges and transboundary cooperation issues. The game involved diplomatic negotiations, strategic decision-making, and the search for compromises to balance the interests of all parties.

This training marked another step in the long-term collaboration between CAREC and KazNU. Under the signed Memorandum of Understanding, the Nexus Game will be integrated into the university’s educational program as an innovative tool for the practical training of students. Game kits in both Russian and Kazakh languages were officially handed over to the faculty of KazNU.

Brief note:

The Nexus Game is an educational simulation designed to model the interconnections between water, energy, and food resources (WEF Nexus) under climate change and the need for cross-border cooperation. The game is used worldwide in academic, research, and policy-making settings as a powerful tool to foster systems thinking, collaboration, and sustainable decision-making. In Central Asia, the Nexus Game is actively promoted by CAREC with the support of international donors.

For more information: Ludmila Kiktenko, CAREC Environmental Management Programme Manager, lkiktenko@carececo.org

#CAREC #CommunityOfPractice #NexusGame #KazNU #FarabiUniversity