BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 5. The “Azerbaijani
Diaspora Youth: Unity and Development Forum,” dedicated to February
2—the Day of Azerbaijani Youth—held in Istanbul, Türkiye, featured
panel discussions and training sessions aimed at organizing
diaspora youth, strengthening institutional capacity, leadership
skills, and international engagement of diaspora youth, the State
Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend.
Motivation and leadership trainer Marziye Ilhan scrutinized the
role of diaspora organizations, youth coordination, and activity
models across regions and countries on the topic "Modern Diaspora
Youth: Organization, Networking, and Leadership."
Head of the "Center for Political Technologies" Public Union,
Vali Alibayov, conducted trainings on the topics of "Diaspora and
Lobbying" and "Media and Digital Activity of Diaspora Youth" and
held a panel discussion with youth on the topic of "Azerbaijan's
Foreign Policy: Participation of Youth in Public Diplomacy."
The trainings focused on diaspora organization and networking,
leadership development, lobbying and advocacy tools, media outreach
and digital engagement, countering disinformation, and youth
participation in public diplomacy. Participants also addressed the
preservation and promotion of the Azerbaijani language, including
its development through digital platforms and language courses
abroad, as well as prospects for sustainable cooperation between
diaspora youth and state institutions.
During the trainings, young participants were informed about the
tools of diaspora influence, the requirements for effective
lobbying, working with the media, coordination on social networks,
and ways to combat disinformation, while completing tasks based on
various practical models. The panel discussions focused on the role
of diaspora youth in international representation, the
state–diaspora–youth model, and the contribution of young people to
defending national interests, with a number of recommendations put
forward.
Professor Ilkin Gulusoy of Kars Caucasus University in Türkiye
exchanged views with diaspora youth on the topic of “Preservation
and Promotion of the Azerbaijani Language.” He emphasized that
language is one of the main pillars of national identity and spoke
about the importance of preserving it through digital platforms. He
also addressed the organization of Azerbaijani language courses
abroad.
Shahin Jamalov, Head of a Department at the State Committee on
Work with Diaspora, introduced the new coordinators of the
Azerbaijani Diaspora Youth to the forum participants and provided
extensive information about Azerbaijani Diaspora Youth. Besides,
during the panel titled “Future Cooperation Opportunities and Joint
Projects,” he highlighted the prospects for sustainable cooperation
between diaspora youth and state institutions.
The forum held with a rich program concluded with the adoption
of the 2026–2028 Action Plan of Azerbaijani Diaspora youth.
Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's
WhatsApp
channel
