2019-06-28

June 28-30, 2019 year EPSAYA public union implemented the 3-day theoretical-practical conference (panel discussions and infotours) in frame of “Organizing of measures on the topic of “National Minorities in Azerbaijan: Intercultural Dialogue”” with the financial support (6000 AZN) of the Council of State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations under the President of the Azerbaijan Republic for the 25 young participants from the 15 regions (Astara, Baku, Jalilabad, Goygol, Ismayilli, Kurdamir, Gakh, Guba, Lankaran, Naftalan, Sumgayit, Shamkir, Yardimli, Yevlakh, Zagatala) of Azerbaijan in the Rest Center of “The Oaken Coast”, Lankaran city. 16 boys and 9 girls from various national minorities and ethnic groups (Lahijy people, Avars, Tats, Lezgins, Germans, Kurds, Gypsies, Talyshs and Western Azerbaijanis) have participated in the theoretical-practical conference. It should be noted that before the theoretical-practical conference 50 young applicants (30 boys and 20 girls) from 27 different regions of Azerbaijan (Agdam, Agsu, Astara, Baku, Jalilabad, Ganja, Goychay, Goygol, Khachmaz, Ismayilli, Kurdamir, Gakh, Gazakh, Guba, Lankaran, Naftalan, Salyan, Sumgayit, Shabran, Shamakhi, Shaki, Shamkir, Tovuz, Yardimli, Yevlakh, Zagatala, Zangilan) have applied to the organization for the participation in the theoretical-practical conference. Besides the staff of the organization Mr. Elbay Fataliyev, the head deputy of Lankaran city Youth and Sport Department in the guest sort has participated in the theoretical-practical conference, shared his knowledge and experiences with the youth and answered the questions of the participants. During the theoretical-practical conference the staff and the participants discussed a lot of themes in the field of multiculturalism and tolerance – “National minorities and ethnic groups living in Azerbaijan, their lifestyle, languages, religions, traditions, cultural centers, media and internet resources”. During the theoretical-practical conference the staff used different methods such as interactive methods, presentations, brainstorming, debate, focus group discussions, interactive groupwork, energizers, mutual exchange of ideas with participants and professionals as well as watching to the different social videos related to the topics throughout the entire session. In addition, infotours (on Lankaran region – visit to Lankaran History and Ethnography Museum named after M.A.Aliyev, acquaintance with the matting in Zovla village and pottery in Separadi village, meeting with the folklore and dance ensemble in the name of “Grandmothers” in Separadi village; on Lerik region – visit to the Lerik region Longevity Museum, the only long-lived museum in the world; on Astara region – visit to the Astara Region History and Ethnography Museum, visit to the XIX century Lam and the Burning Spring Complex in Archivan settlement, visit to Astara Seaside Park-Boulevard Complex) have been organized to Lerik and Astara regions including Lankaran and a Facebook page called “https://www.facebook.com/Etno-Az%C9%99rbaycan-374029680132568/” was created for the participants. During the event, participants were also given detailed information about “FUEN - the Federal Union of European Nationalities (https://www.fuen.org/)” and the close cooperation between EPSAYA public union and FUEN. At the end of the theoretical-practical conference certificates and corresponding materials (relevant presentations and social videos) in the field of national minorities and ethnic groups have been presented to all participants. In the end all participants, the staff and the guests gave their views on the project and thanked to the donor – the Council of State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations under the President of the Azerbaijan Republic for implementing such kind of actual and useful project for the youth. It should be noted that the purpose of the 3-month project, which covers May 10 - August 10, 2019, is to become closely acquainted with various national minorities and ethnic groups living in Azerbaijan, as well as their lifestyle, language, religion, traditions, cultural centers, media and internet resources, and to explore and promote the multiculturalism and tolerance model in our country.