ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan,
August 2. Young Azerbaijanis living abroad should
play an active role in defending Azerbaijan's national interests in
their countries of residence and use their knowledge and skills to
counter disinformation campaigns targeting the country, Chairman of
the State Committee on Work with Diaspora Fuad Muradov said,
Trend's correspondent
reports from the event.
He made the remark during the opening ceremony of the Seventh
Summer Camp for Diaspora Youth in Zangilan.
Muradov noted that the foundations of Azerbaijan's state
diaspora policy were laid by National Leader Heydar Aliyev. "In
2001, the great leader Heydar Aliyev invited Azerbaijanis living
abroad to Azerbaijan. Following that congress, the State Committee
on Work with Diaspora was established in 2002. In the National
Leader's speeches, preserving Azerbaijani identity and promoting
the Azerbaijani language always held a special place," he said.
The committee chairman stressed that preserving the Azerbaijani
language is essential to maintaining the national identity of
compatriots living abroad. "The Azerbaijani language is the
foundation of Azerbaijani culture and national identity. Without
this foundation, it is impossible to preserve national
self-awareness," Muradov said.
According to him, the Summer Camp for Diaspora Youth, launched
in 2018, has evolved into an important platform for Azerbaijanis
around the world. "When we first launched this initiative, we did
not expect the summer camp to gain such prestige within the
diaspora community. Our goal was not simply to organize young
people's stay in Azerbaijan, but to enhance their knowledge and
skills and prepare the next generation of diaspora leaders," he
said.
Muradov noted that participants will meet with scholars,
diplomats, government officials, and prominent public figures,
while also deepening their knowledge of Azerbaijan's history,
culture, and diaspora activities.
He said that the concept of "diaspora youth" is not merely a new
term but represents a new model of engagement. "We want you to
leave this summer camp not only with good memories but also with a
solid ideological foundation. You should not remain indifferent to
disinformation campaigns against Azerbaijan in the countries where
you live," he said.
According to Muradov, social media and digital platforms provide
diaspora youth with extensive opportunities to communicate the
truth about Azerbaijan to international audiences.
The committee chairman noted that one of the State Committee's
key objectives is to encourage greater participation of young
Azerbaijanis living abroad in the diaspora movement and to
cultivate a new generation of leaders. "We want you to take the
initiative. It is easy to criticize from the sidelines, but being
part of the process carries real responsibility," he said.
Muradov stressed that the Azerbaijani state continues to
strengthen its ties with compatriots living abroad.
He noted that this year's summer camp has brought together young
Azerbaijanis from more than 60 countries, while representatives
from 84 countries have participated since the project was launched.
With the support of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, more
than 800 projects are implemented each year, including forums for
doctors, engineers, scientists, and cultural ambassadors.
The committee chairman said the state's primary goal is to
support the professional development of young Azerbaijanis living
abroad and create opportunities for them to contribute to the
country's future. "We want you to receive a quality education,
become accomplished professionals, and contribute to Azerbaijan's
development in the future. Azerbaijanis living abroad remain a
priority for the state, and this work will continue," Muradov
added.
He also noted that visits to Shusha and other territories
liberated from occupation will give camp participants an
opportunity to observe the large-scale reconstruction efforts
firsthand and gain a better understanding of Azerbaijan's
development strategy and the ongoing transformation of the
region.
