Eurasia Partnership Foundation arranged an all-day tour for eight young people who are actively involved in social issues in their communities. The tour, which was planned as part of the Citizen Journalism e-media project, began at the EPF’s Baku office and included visits to local NGOs based in Baku. The goal was to provide young people the opportunity to understand the EPF’s programs and activities, meet local leaders, and discuss the challenges that they face in their fields. The tour of five partner NGOs was made under the guidance of the EPF’s program assistant.
The group first toured the Dilara Aliyeva Society for Women’s Rights, where Dilara Afandiyeva, the chairwoman of the Peace and Security Center, met the youths and talked about the history and the activities of the organization. She also discussed the problems the group addresses, such as human rights and abuse of women and children in Azerbaijan. The youths showed their eagerness to learn more about the work that is done at all levels to address these issues and to see how these efforts can be supported. For her part, Ms. Afandiyeva encouraged the young people to get involved with the organization, noting that such problems are found in the home regions of the young people.
At the Center for Innovations in Education (CIE), the young people were welcomed by Ulviyya Mikayilova, the executive director of the organization. She informed the young people about the problems in education in Azerbaijan, the concept of “inclusive education” and some projects adopting this concept. Recognizing the difficulties in implementing education projects in the regions, the CIE pledged to support new projects on inclusive education started by young people.
During their visit to “BUTA” Children’s Humanitarian Foundation, young people were introduced to the new project “Disability Demystified: A Self Transformation,” implemented by BUTA under the EPF’s Open Door Program. Nizami Ibadov, the director of the BUTA, discussed the problems of people with disabilities living in Azerbaijan, the works done to address these problems, and new approaches to people with disabilities.
The young people continued their tour with Towards the Unity Public Union, which supports disabled and homeless children through non-grant projects. The organization also encourages corporate social responsibility, supporting projects that help homeless children and children with disabilities, and create a positive image for companies.
At the end of the tour, young people from the region visited BarCamp, the organization that trains people in new media, time management, and bringing opportunities through the Internet to communities in the regions. Rashad Aliyev, the founder of the organization, and coordinators Ilqar Mirzayev and Azer Nazarov talked about their new projects and offered their support and advice for future projects to be implemented in the regions by these young people.
Copyright © 2007 Eurasia Partnership. Last updated: 14 May 2012
This website is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation and do not necessarily represent the views of USAID or the U.S. Government.
This web site has been financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida. Sida does not necessarily share the views expressed in this material. Responsibility for its contents rests entirely with the author.
