International Conference “The Youth for Alliance of Civilizations”

November 1-2, 2007


International Conference “The Youth for Alliance of Civilizations” started on November 1 at Gulustan Palace.


Consort of the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned and heads of several international organizations are attending the Conference held under patronage of First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Member of Parliament Mehriban Aliyeva.


First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva gave warm welcome to First Lady of the State of Qatar Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned.


Conference was opened with show of film “The Youth for Alliance of Civilizations: Dreams Come True”, which talks of care and attention for culture in Azerbaijan, main goals of initiative for creation of the dialog of civilizations.


Opening the Conference secretary general of Youth Forum of OIC Elshad Isgandarov noted importance of realization of the international event in Baku and thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for supporting the Conference.


Ali Hasanov, head of Public-Political Affairs Section at the President’s Executive Office, read appeal of President Ilham Aliyev to the participants.


Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Huseyn Avni Garslyoglu read appeal of Premier of Turkey Rejeb Tayyib Erdogan to the participants.


Secretary general of OIC Youth Forum ELSHAD ISGANDAROV greeted the participants twice and said:


There is need for big mutual confidence and trust for realization of the influential initiatives in hard times and removal of incorrect concept, hostility and hatred. The Youth Forum has been supported by famous persons in building the dialog of cultures. Therefore, we emphasize this and highly value their presence here today.


Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva also kindly accepted our invitation and was member of the board. It happened in the first phase of our action and of course, gave big contribution to implementation of our initiative and our organization in general. That is why I once again express my gratitude to Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva for arranging this initiative in high level today.


With great honor we give the floor to President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva. She has played her role in lifting the alliance of civilizations up to more global level.


President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Member of Parliament Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the Conference.


Then, First Lady of the State of Qatar SHEIKHA MOZAH BINT NASSER AL MISSNED delivered speech. She talked of importance of the alliance of civilizations, noted necessity for works to be done by creative and modern youth. “Our confidence in our skills and opportunities lets us learn each other more closely. Lack of trust is base to fear that interferes the dialog” First Lady of Qatar said. She noted there is much to be done by youth in this field adding “We must fight for global culture based on quality and equality. A model of good society able to advance needs of citizens must be created to faithfully serve the state, strengthen solidarity and keep loyalty to universal principles”.


Talking of progressive ideas of Islam Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned mentioned the role of youth in correct propaganda of Islam, recommending the Moslem youth “New generation should not repeat mistakes of previous generation. Modern youth should perform works the previous generation could not. Use of Islam for personal goals must be condemned. I think today’s youth will make valuable contributions to the world globalizing in the way of cooperation of cultures”. 


She said youth in Moslem countries have problems in employment and it must be put an end.


Thanking the President of Azerbaijan and his spouse for supporting the youth movement secretary general of ISESCO ABDULAZIZ BIN OTHMAN AL-TUVEYJRI said processes ongoing in world make the alliance of youth important and creates necessity for their dialog. Recalling the necessity for strengthening the dialog of cultures and civilizations he underlined the importance of the Conference on this point.   


Secretary general of ISESCO noted purposeful actions are taken to prevent religious and racial discrimination and said youth all over the world should make contribution to these actions. He highly valued services of Azerbaijan in strengthening the dialog of civilizations and wished success to the Conference.


UN Resident-Coordinator to Azerbaijan BRUNO PUEZA stressed significance of the theme discussed, said views on globalization, talked of use of alliance of various cultures and civilizations. He gave congratulations of UNDP Manager Kamal Dervish to the participants. Regretting for not attending the Conference, noting its importance for discussion of youth problems the manager of UNDP said issue of participation of youth in solution of universal problems is stated in UN Millennium Development Goals.


Chairman of OIC Youth Forum’s Board ALI SARYGAYA said removal of difference among civilizations may give positive contribution to solution of problems in the world.


Talking of global warming the speaker said drinking water problem in the world is deepening, talked of poverty that has negative impact on development of youth, removal of violation of international agreements on global issues. He mentioned economic inequality and national claims, specially claims of some states impede the dialog of civilizations.


Ali Sarygaya expressed thanks to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for contributions to organizing the Conference, solution of youth problems and deepening the dialog of civilizations.


Expressing gratitude to Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva for warm hospitality spokesman of CE RALF-RENE VAYNGARTNER said Azerbaijan is bridge between East and West, talked of works done by CE in strengthening of the dialog of cultures. “There is special body at CE on the youth and this body is ready to render any kind of support to initiative “The Youth for Alliance of Civilizations””. 


Letters of congratulation from secretary general of OIC Ekmaladdin Ihsanoglu and director general of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura were read in the event. Both letters contained thanks to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva for organizing the International Conference “The Youth for Alliance of Civilizations”. 


It was mentioned in the Conference First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Member of Parliament Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded the title “Global Ambassador for Development of Youth” of OIC Youth Forum for services in field of educaion, science, youth, dialog of cultures and popularization of Azeri culture in the world. 


The same day, First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva gave lunch in honor of First Lady of the State of Qatar Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned.


After break, the Conference continued in sittings of sections.


In sittings of sections importance of the event was stressed, duties discussed, also reps of international organizations shared experience in field of dialog of civilizations.


ISESCO director general Abdulaziz bin Othman al-Tuveyjri expressed confidence in positive results of the Conference, noted necessity for joint efforts for fulfillment of duties and removal of difficulties.


Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, head of National Youth Organization Ali Akbari expressed hope for close participation of youth in assurance of peace in the world.


Youth and sports minister of Azerbaijan Azad Rahimov valued realization of the Conference in Azerbaijan as a remarkable event, expressed gratitude to President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for organizing the event in high level.


A.Rahimov said tolerance has always been in high level in Azerbaijan, which is at the crossroads of East and West. In early XX century Azerbaijan established a democratic and secular state for the first time in East. Nearly 80 nations and ethnic minorities live at present in Azerbaijan.


Official part of International Conference “The Youth for Alliance of Civilizations” held at Gulustan Palace in Baku ended on November 2.


Youth Mobile Responding Team was presented in the Conference held under patronage of President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva. The Team consisted of representatives of member states of Youth Forum of OIC for Dialog and Cooperation will operate in international level towards the alliance of civilizations of youth.


Former president of Portugal, High Commissioner of UN Secretary General in the Alliance of Civilizations Jorj de Sampayo expressed gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva for arranging the Conference in high level, hospitality and supporting the youth movement. According to him, issues discussed in Baku, as well the dialog of cultures, agreements reached are useful for the world.


Participants of the Conference were photographed with President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva.



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