The official plenary opening of the International Forum titled “Let’s Create Sustainable Peace Through Culture!” was held yesterday in Baku. The event was organized by the Azerbaijan Democratic Student Youth Organization Public Union, with financial support from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and in partnership with the Global Alliance for Intercultural Dialogue, with the aim of promoting our country’s policy of intercultural and inter-civilizational dialogue.
According to Diaspornews.az, the international event brought together NGO leaders, young leaders, government representatives, international organization officials, experts, and media representatives from 10 countries. The opening speech was delivered by Asif Asgarli, Chairman of the ADTGT Public Union, who spoke about the purpose, mission, and diverse program of the event.
Then, Seymur Huseynov, a representative of the Ministry of Culture, delivered his congratulatory remarks, wished success to the Forum, and provided participants with detailed information about the “Baku Process,” which has become a global initiative launched by the President of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev.
Forum participants from Turkey, Serbia, Finland, Poland, Moldova, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic shared brief congratulatory messages and emphasized the importance of widely promoting Azerbaijan’s global contributions to intercultural and inter-civilizational dialogue.
Following short remarks by local NGO leaders, a short video dedicated to the “Baku Process” and Azerbaijan’s multicultural and intercultural policy was presented in accordance with the program.
After a short tea break, the Forum continued with panel discussions. The first panel, titled “Intercultural and Inter-Civilizational Dialogue: The Azerbaijani Model and International Experience,” began with a presentation by Azerbaijani representative and European young peace ambassador Laman Bakuvi. This was followed by discussions and exchanges of views among both international and local participants.
The Forum, which will last for four days, will feature panel discussions and interactive sessions on topics such as the culture of peace, cultural diplomacy, peacebuilding, and intercultural dialogue at various venues. The adoption of the Forum Declaration is also planned at the end of the event.
The main goal of the project is to support the development of sustainable coexistence, multiculturalism, and a culture of peace among foreign and national civil society institutions within the framework of the global “Baku Process” initiative. This will be achieved through activities such as mutual exchange of experience and information, international cultural cooperation, networking, and active youth participation.
