Comment by the Head of Reform Volunteers Organization
Narmin Rahimli
Started during the presidency of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the volunteer movement in Azerbaijan was further expanded upon the organization of the Week of Volunteers and declaration of 2020 as the Year of Volunteers by the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva.
To contribute to the welfare of our country, the young people of Azerbaijan engage in volunteer activities of their own will and without any financial interest. There are many spheres of volunteer activities in Azerbaijan. Thus, depending on their interest, volunteers choose to work in social, economic, and political spheres, diaspora, sports, art and other areas. There are numerous volunteer organizations in Azerbaijan. Among them are ASAN Volunteers Organization, One Volunteer Student Cooperation Public Union, Volunteer DOST Program, Agrarian Development Volunteers Public Union, Reform Volunteers Organization, Transportation Volunteers Program, Volunteering Program, Migration Volunteer Public Union, Customs Volunteers Team, Tourism Volunteers Organization, Eco Volunteers Group, Young Volunteers Movement, Azerbaijan Diaspora Volunteers, Justice Volunteers Public Union, Volunteer Food Supervisor, eSAS Volunteer Program, and others. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers working in these organizations make an invaluable contribution to the work of state agencies for a bright future of Azerbaijani youth, the development of our country, and welfare improvement. Volunteers also played an indispensable role in such prestigious international competitions as the Eurovision-2012 Song Contest, the 2015 European Games, the IV Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017, and Formula 1hosted by our country.
Azerbaijan Volunteers during the Pandemic
#TOGETHERWEARESTRONG
In response to the call of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on preventing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which affected the world in 2020, in our country, Azerbaijan volunteers distinguished by their support to the state. Such campaigns as “Volunteer Neighbors” and “Let’s Protect Our Elders” have started since the first days of the pandemic. Within the frame of the campaigns, the volunteers worked to ensure the safety of our elderly citizens around the country. So that elderly do not leave their homes, volunteers provided prompt assistance to them by satisfying their basic needs, including food and medicine. They were also closely involved in providing products and other assistance to families in need and those who had lost their jobs.
However, the scope of volunteers’ activities is not limited only to the mentioned ones. They have also contributed to the enlightenment activities on health protection during the pandemic. Volunteers participated in preparation of social videos, promotion of proper use of masks and social distancing concept, strengthening the mechanism of public control on the roads and in different places
Moreover, at the moment, the Agrarian Development Volunteers Organization in cooperation with the United Trade Union of the Ministry of Agriculture volunteers are carrying out a tree-planting campaign in all regions of the country starting from Baku. It is planned to plant as many trees as martyrs who passed away during the Patriotic War.
The Regional Development Public Union, established under the leadership of the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, has implemented large-scale assistance projects during the pandemic.
The volunteers were enthusiastic about participating in all the activities. Under the slogan “Together we are strong!”, they stood by the state in such a difficult period, benefited the society, and proved once again that together our nation is stronger.
During all implemented projects, the volunteers assisted the vulnerable groups of our country to feel the care and attention provided by the state in such difficult economic and social situation.
Figure 1. Azerbaijani volunteers during the pandemic
Videoconferences of volunteers during the pandemic
Due to the pandemic that has entered our lives almost a year ago, there has been a new trend formed in the world. People have started joining conferences, events, classes, and meetings organized via internet. Reform Volunteers were closely involved in creation of such innovative projects of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication as Azexport.az, EnterpriseAzerbaijan.com, and Digital Trade Hub, as well as in the development of software, organization of various events, and research works. During the pandemic, they also conducted various videoconferences for developing their knowledge and skills. Reform Volunteers provided hundreds of volunteers throughout the country with the opportunity to participate in those videoconferences. The following is the list of videoconferences organized by the Reform Volunteers:
- “Economy of Azerbaijan: during Pandemic and Postpandemic” with CAERC Executive Director Vusal Gasimli
- “Innovative Economy: Jobs of the Future” with Chairman of Milli Mejlis (Parliament) Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Tahir Mirikishili
- “Volunteer Movement in Azerbaijan: National Solidarity, Social Responsibility and Personal Development” with Chief of the State Migration Service Vusal Huseynov
- "Information Security: Youth in Social Media" with Chairman of the Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Closed Joint Stock Company
- "Support of Diaspora Activities to the State Policy of Azerbaijan with Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora Fuad Muradov
- "Azerbaijan's Foreign Policy: New Realities and Prospects” with Chairman of the Board of the Center for Analysis of International Relations
During all of those meetings, volunteer organizations of various state structures of Azerbaijan (ASAN Volunteers, DOST Volunteers, Customs Volunteers, Agrarian Development Volunteers, “One” Student Volunteers) along with the Reform Volunteers demonstrated active participation.
Figure 2. Videoconferences with state officials organized upon the initiative of the Reform Volunteers Organization
In 2016-2020, more than 300 volunteers were involved in the work of Reform Volunteers Organization of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CAERC). The priority goal of establishing a volunteer program is to reveal and effectively use the existing potential of young people in the economic and analytical field, to guide them in their future careers and to help them evaluate their spare time.
Volunteers during the Patriotic War and in the post-war period
Azerbaijani volunteers distinguished for their activities during the war for the liberation of our lands. Thus, in the information war, the volunteers shared tens of thousands of photos and videos, information, and historical facts using hashtags #KarabakhisAzerbaijan, #StopArmenianAggression, and #Karabakh on major platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to let the voice of Azerbaijan be heard around the world. Due to this unity, some hashtags on Twitter became world trends.
Volunteers visited people who suffered after the damage caused by Armenia’s military forces to civilians and local infrastructure, attracted attention to the situation, and provided their assistance.
Figure 3. Azerbaijani volunteers during the war and post-war period
As a result of the activity of Azerbaijani volunteers during the 44-day war, the fair voice of our country was conveyed to the world. We could also receive support of many celebrities. Besides, due to the work and attitude of the volunteers, financial and moral assistance provided to the families of martyrs and veterans during the war and post-war period let them feel the state care and support to citizens in their hard times.
Thus, it becomes obvious that young people of Azerbaijan stand by their country and their nation in difficult periods and do everything possible for assistance.
We invite you to join the Reform Volunteers too!
You can also join Volunteer Program announced regularly by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication of the Republic of Azerbaijan and gain broad experience in economics, finance, journalism, information technology, and graphic design. You can use the link below for registration:
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