Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

The first forum of Azerbaijani student volunteers, aimed at promoting volunteer movement in the country and encouraging the active participation of students in public life was held in Baku on December 14.

Organized with the support of the Education Ministry, the forum was attended by Head of the Department of Humanitarian Policy of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Fatma Abdullazadeh, Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov, MPs, university rectors, as well as up to 400 students from 16 universities.

Today, the country’s youth play an important role in the social and political life of Azerbaijan and take one of the leading positions in holding of various international events.

The culture of volunteerism has dramatically developed in the country in recent years, as Azerbaijan opened its doors for many significant events.

The first European Games held in Baku this July would surely be remembered not only for the amazing performances of athletes, but also successful activity of more than 18,000 volunteers, who made an invaluable contribution to the preparations.

Now the national volunteers will prepare for Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe to be held in Baku next June.

Addressing the forum, Jabbarov voiced hope that the students will be particularly active in the upcoming world-class event.

Pointing to the need to establish a center for student volunteers, the education minister stressed that vigorous activity of student volunteers will open career opportunities for them in the future, and play a positive role in the formation of civic responsibility.

Emphasizing that youth policy in Azerbaijan is an important part of state policy, Rahimov said that more than half of Azerbaijani population is young people aged under 30.

About 300 non-governmental youth organizations, which bring together a large number of volunteers, operate in the country, the minister said, adding that the process of issuing volunteer passports to volunteers is underway.

Abdullazadeh, in turn, stressed that Azerbaijani young people are living in a free, democratic and independent state today.

“Being representative of an independent country should create a sense of pride in young people. You are lucky, as you did not see the hard days, through which Azerbaijan had had to pass. You will see Azerbaijan, whose borders will be restored,” she said.

Abdullazadeh pointed to necessity of creating environment to support creative young people in education sphere.

The forum saw a presentation of Student-volunteer program “BIR,” which is a pilot project covering 10 higher education institutions in Baku, Sumgayit and Ganja.

Under the program, students will be involved in volunteer activities, in six different project directions, corresponding "real student life" model.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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