DOCTORAL DISSERTATION ON THE SOCIAL ACTIVITY OF OLDER PEOPLE DISCUSSED

The Republican Center for the Study of Public Opinion “Ijtimoiy Fikr,” acting as the leading organization, hosted a discussion of the dissertation prepared by Sobir Jumaevich Khojaev, a researcher at the National University of Uzbekistan, on the topic “Social Activity of Older People in the Context of Transformations in Uzbekistan: A Sociogerontological Analysis.” The dissertation was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) in Sociology in specialty 22.00.02 — “Social Structure, Social Institutions and Lifestyle.”

During the discussion, the relevance of the research topic, its goals and objectives, theoretical and methodological foundations, empirical findings, scientific novelty, and practical significance were thoroughly examined. The dissertation explores the assessment of the social activity of older people in Uzbekistan, the expansion of their participation in public life, and the improvement of institutional mechanisms that support active ageing.

The empirical basis of the study consisted of the results of a sociological survey conducted from August to November 2023 among 3,017 respondents aged 55 and over in the Andijan, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Khorezm, Samarkand, and Syrdarya regions, as well as in the city of Tashkent. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using tablets and processed in SPSS.

The dissertation developed a system of national indicators and an “Active Ageing Index” covering the economic activity of older people, their participation in community and volunteer activities, informal care, as well as cultural, social, and digital engagement. It also proposed an “age-friendly community” model based on cooperation among mahallas, the “Nuroniy” system, non-governmental non-profit organizations, and social service providers.

During the discussion, particular attention was paid to the importance of the research findings for improving state social policy, enhancing the digital literacy of older people, expanding opportunities for “silver employment,” strengthening intergenerational solidarity, and developing an “older–younger” mentoring system.

The Center’s scholars and specialists shared their views and comments on the scientific, theoretical, and practical aspects of the dissertation and provided proposals and recommendations aimed at its further improvement.

Following the discussion, the relevant conclusion of the leading organization on the dissertation was adopted.