“Umid” SSD PU has commenced the execution of the project titled “Enhancing Public and Social Engagement Among Students through the Improvement of Social Welfare Environments”

“Umid” SSD PU has commenced the execution of the project titled “Enhancing Public and Social Engagement Among Students through the Improvement of Social Welfare Environments”
"Umid" Support to Social Development Public Union ("Umid" SSD PU), with financial support from the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has initiated the implementation of the project titled "Enhancing Public and Social Engagement Among Students through the Improvement of Social Welfare Environments." The project is set to be executed over a 4-month period, from August 1 to November 30, 2023. The targeted project locations are secondary schools No. 280, named after M. Mehdiyev, in Hovsan settlement, Baku, and No. 262, located in Turkan settlement, Khazar district...


A public forum was convened to review the initial and interim outcomes of the pertinent sections of the "2022-2026 National Action Plan for Reinforcing the Anti-Corruption Efforts

A public forum was convened to review the initial and interim outcomes of the pertinent sections of the "2022-2026 National Action Plan for Reinforcing the Anti-Corruption Efforts
A public discussion on the preliminary and intermediate results of sections 2.17, 2.4, and 1.7 of the "National Action Plan for Strengthening the Fight Against Corruption for 2022-2026" was organized in collaboration between the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations and the Ministry of Science and Education.
The event was attended by members of the Supervisory Board of the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Israyil Isgandarov, Gunel Safarova, Ilgar Orujov, and Zaur Ibrahimov, along with Sabuhi Rzayev, Deputy Director of the Information and Citizen Service Department of the Ministry of Science and Education. Representatives from various non-governmental organizations also participated. The discussion involved speeches and interactive sessions on the specified topic.
During the event, comprehensive information was provided to the participants regarding the ongoing educational reforms in our country, the digitization of activities in the education system, the role of non-governmental organizations in these reforms, the current situation, and future prospects. Additionally, detailed updates on the progress of the relevant items from the National Action Plan were presented.
The event continued as a productive mutual discussion, with representatives from non-governmental organizations posing questions related to the topic, which were addressed by the participants.

Raising awareness on mine danger within the UNHCR’s project related to IDPs

Raising awareness on mine danger  within the UNHCR’s project related to IDPs
As part of the project titled "IDP Community Mobilization and Capacity Development in Mingachevir, Goranboy, and Yevlakh,” which is funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and carried out by "Umid” Support to Social Development Public Union ("Umid” SSD PU), 6 awareness training sessions on mine danger were successfully conducted in 6 target communities from August 1 to 4, 2023. The main objective of these training sessions was to raise awareness among the members of internally displaced communities about the presence of mines and other unexploded military ordnances in the recently liberated territories. The training covered essential information about how to behave safely around these hazards, security measures, and the appropriate state institutions to contact regarding such issues.
The training sessions were organized and led by a team of experienced trainers, with the guidance of the Regional Coordinator from the Explosive Ordnance Awareness project. This project is funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and implemented by the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF).

The families of Azerbaijanis missing in the Karabakh war appealed to the UN

The families of Azerbaijanis missing in the Karabakh war appealed to the UN
The 'Missing Families of Karabakh' Public Union has submitted an appeal to the United Nations (UN). On behalf of the families of 3,890 individuals who have gone missing as a result of Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, we, as a public organization uniting the family members of Azerbaijanis, urge the UN Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, the President of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, the President of the UN Human Rights Council, Mr. Václav Bálek, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, to take notice of our plea.
In accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law, as established in the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, the right of the families of individuals missing during armed conflicts to receive information is unequivocally recognized; this is a fundamental right shared by all human beings.
Regrettably, we have been denied this right for more than 30 years. Armenia has consistently refused to provide information about missing Azerbaijanis, inflicting upon us endless suffering. Parents pass away longing for their missing children, holding their photos close to their hearts. Children can only imagine their missing parents based on what is said about them. This represents the tragedy and horror faced by thousands of families every day.
The first Karabakh war, initiated by Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan in the 1990s, resulted in the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, accompanied by vandalism, looting, loss of life, genocide, and ethnic cleansing. Approximately 1 million Azerbaijani citizens became refugees or internally displaced persons, 20,000 lives were lost, and 50,000 individuals suffered injuries...

Azerbaijani Alphabet and Language Day is celebrated on August 1

August 1 is celebrated as Azerbaijani Alphabet and Azerbaijani Language Day. This significant date was established through a decree issued by the national leader Heydar Aliyev on August 9, 2001. The Decree was a response to the successful transition to the Latin alphabet in Azerbaijan during August 2001. This transition marked a pivotal event in the social and political life of an independent Azerbaijan and holds historical significance for the nation's culture and writing practices.
The achievement of a fully-fledged Azerbaijani language, recognized as the state language and now used in diplomatic engagements, is a matter of pride. Language serves as more than just a mode of communication; it embodies the history, literature, and culture of a people. Regardless of their current country of residence, every Azerbaijani should cherish their mother tongue, religion, national customs, and traditions, and promote them. As our national leader, Heydar Aliyev, articulated, "Language is connected with literature, culture, and spirituality. Without these, there is no formula for patriotism."
The broader implementation of measures to ensure the extensive use of the Azerbaijani language in the digital realm holds exceptional significance. President Ilham Aliyev's decree dated July 17, 2018, titled "On a number of measures to ensure the wider use of the Azerbaijani language in the electronic space," expands the realm of development and application of the Azerbaijani language, underscoring its continued importance.
The alphabet and writing system are integral components of a nation's culture. The alphabet, a cultural asset and spiritual wealth, plays a pivotal role in a nation's progress, preserving its material and cultural achievements and contributing to linguistic, scientific, and various other fields. Throughout its history, the Azerbaijani alphabet has undergone several changes, with the adoption of the

City days were instituted for the liberated territories

City days were instituted for the liberated territories
Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Establishment of City Days in the Territories Liberated from the Occupation of the Republic of Azerbaijan
July 31, 2023, 1:40 p.m.

As a result of Armenia's military aggression, our ancient historical lands, which had been under occupation for nearly 30 years, were liberated from military and political control during the 44-day Patriotic War. Each day leading up to the glorious Victory was etched in golden letters in the history of Azerbaijan.

Cities such as Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli, Minjivan, Aghband, Bartaz settlements of Zangilan district, Hadrut settlement of Khojavend district, along with many villages including Sugovushan village of Tartar district and several villages in Khojaly and Lachin districts, were devastated during the Patriotic War, exacting a heavy toll in the lives and blood of our brave Azerbaijan Army soldiers and officers. In total, more than 300 settlements, including villages and important strategic heights in the Aghdara, Murovdag, and Zangilan directions, were liberated from occupation. The war culminated with the liberation of Shusha, the crown jewel of Karabakh, and Armenia was compelled to sign the act of capitulation.

Azerbaijan's resounding victory on the battlefield was mirrored at the political level, as Armenia was obliged to release Agdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin regions from occupation, thereby restoring historical justice.

Over the 30-year occupation, our cities, villages, and settlements suffered destruction by Armenia, with our cultural heritage severely compromised, and our historical, cultural, and religious monuments, including mosques, vandalized and destroyed. The regions of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, now freed from occupation, are undergoing rapid reconstruction, mine clearance operations, and extensive restoration efforts.

Western Azerbaijan Community and other civil society organizations in Azerbaijan appeal to international community

Western Azerbaijan Community and other civil society organizations in Azerbaijan appeal to international community

The Western Azerbaijan Community and other civil society organizations in the Republic of Azerbaijan have sent an appeal to the international community. "Throughout the tumultuous 20th century, Armenia mercilessly subjected ethnic Azerbaijanis to unspeakable horrors, unleashing displacement and various forms of persecution that inflicted profound suffering and indelible scars on their memories. The brutal expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Armenia between 1987 and 1991 marked the appalling conclusion of a century- long campaign to eradicate them from what was once their ancestral homeland. The Azerbaijani settlements in Armenia, which were once flourishing cradles of Azerbaijani culture, lay abandoned yearning for their rightful owners. As if this malevolence were not enough, the 1991-1994 occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia brought an even darker chapter of suffering. Approximately 800,000 Azerbaijanis were savagely uprooted from their homes, forced into a cruel fate of displacement. Cemeteries and sacred places of Azerbaijanis were demonstratively destroyed, desecrating their cultural legacy and inflicting irreparable wounds..."

A documentary film titled "Temple of Torture-Shusha Prison" was created with the support of the State Support Agency for NGOs to convey the story of Armenia's war crimes

A documentary film titled "Temple of Torture-Shusha Prison" was created with the support of the State Support Agency for NGOs to convey the story of Armenia's war crimes
"Objective" Public Union for Support of National Values has produced a documentary film titled "Temple of Tortures - Shusha Prison" with the financial support of the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations. Mubariz Asgarov, a well-known TV journalist, is the author of the documentary. The film was shot in the Shusha prison, where Azerbaijani captives and hostages were detained during the occupation, tortured, and a mass grave was unearthed. The captives and those who were freed from captivity disclosed terrible facts about what happened to them and the incidents they witnessed in the film. For many years, Armenia believed that the occupied Shusha belonged to it in perpetuity and that its crimes would never be solved. The documentary film "Temple of Torture-Shusha Prison" shows Armenia's war crimes against humanity in violation of international agreements, humanitarian law, and rules governing the treatment of prisoners and hostages.
With this film, the "Objective" Public Union for the Support of National Values calls on civil society institutions in foreign nations, as well as international organizations that defend human rights and freedoms, to pay attention to the exposed facts and voice concerns about them.

Mingachevir Children and Family Support Center hosted an event within the UNHCR’s project related to IDPs

Mingachevir Children and Family Support Center hosted an event within the UNHCR’s project related to IDPs
On the occasion of International Children's Day, a number of target Community Development Council subgroups formed within the project titled "IDP Community Mobilization and Capacity Development in Mingachevir, Goranboy, and Yevlakh,” which is funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and carried out by "Umid” Support to Social Development Public Union ("Umid” SSD PU), organized a fun event for children with disabilities, in need of care, and deprived of parental care at Mingachevir Children and Family Support Center. At the event, saz, synthesizer, tar, accordion, and folk drum players, who are members of Community Development Councils of "Kür” Mehmanxanası community in Mingachevir, Mal Binəsi and 32-ci məhəllə communities in Yevlakh and "Culture and Art” subgroups, entertained the children with pleasant musical pieces. Children from "Kür” Mehmanxanası community also took part in the celebration, singing patriotic poems and demonstrating national dances. The entrance of the clown, who had been invited by the subgroups, brought the youngsters even more joy.


Azerbaijan marks May 28 - Independence Day

Azerbaijan marks May 28 - Independence Day

105 years have passed since the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first democratic secular state in the Muslim East, on May 28, 1918. Independence Day has been celebrated in the liberated lands for already three years. At the plenary session of the Azerbaijani Parliament on October 15, 2021, a new law "On Independence Day" was adopted. On the same day, President Ilham Aliyev approved the law. With the approval of the law, May 28 - Republic Day and October 18 - State Independence Day were renamed. May 28 was declared 'Independence Day', and October 18 was declared 'Day of Restoration of Independence'. The Russian Empire collapsed during the February Revolution of 1917. The national movement of the peoples that were oppressed by the Tsarist state in the country began. On May 28, 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918-1920) – the first secular democratic state founded in the Muslim East.



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