Rather than measuring economic output, we should measure how happy we are

In an engaging interview with The Astana Times, positive futurologist and author Ron Immink highlighted Kazakhstan’s strategic location in a shifting global order, seeing it as ideally placed to act as a cultural and economic bridge between East and West.

Kazakstan as cultural middleware

He emphasized Kazakhstan’s potential to be a “cultural middleware” for Central Asia, likening its relational strengths to the Irish.

Climate

Turning to climate change, Immink advocated for education reform to prepare youth for complex environmental issues beyond carbon.

Future framing

He shared his “future framing” approach, drawing on curated insights from sources like Stanford University to stay adaptable to rapid technological advances.

Impact

He also observed a shift in startup culture from profit-centric to impact-focused, driven by younger generations motivated by purpose and societal good.

Connected-2024

Ron Immink was among the keynote speakers at the CONNECTED-2024, an international conference in the Kazakh capital, on Oct. 18–19, 2024.