The article examines the real history of social activity of the population of Kazakhstan during the period of political change of power in the USSR on the example of the first non-governmental democratic movement that stirred up the world community. The authors talk about the reasons for the creation of the International Anti-Nuclear Movement (MAD) "Nevada-Semipalatinsk", which they witness. The article presents historical facts and analysis of the events that eventually led to a global moratorium on conducting nuclear tests on a planetary scale. The calendar of the described events covers the period from 1949 to the present day. The role of the leader and activists of the Movement in the processes of anti-nuclear world politics during the years of the end of the Cold War, which resulted in the adoption of a planetary moratorium on nuclear tests, is shown. The authors assess the social significance of the plans of the future work of the MАD in the field of youth policy of Kazakhstan, environmental initiatives and health-saving proposals for the people.