by Ismayil Fataliyev, Local Correspondent from Azerbaijan.
According to the 2019 survey, 46% of Azerbaijani citizens have a positive image of the EU – an increase of 7% when compared to 2018. While 75% of Azerbaijanis associate the EU with their personal values, such as: ‘peace, security and stability’; ‘honesty and transparency’; ‘economic prosperity’; ‘freedom of speech’; ‘human rights’; ‘rule of law’ and others- another increase of 5 % when compared to 2018.
Among these people there are those who want to learn more about the EU institutionally. Being a driving force and the most active part of any society the young generation is a frontrunner in this regard.
A group of Azerbaijani students has recently had the chance to experience the EU decision-making process by taking part in a Model EU Council (MEUC) simulation.
“I would love to see these kinds of things in Azerbaijan.”
Javad Akhmedov, 19, is a third year student at Baku State University. He studies international relations. He did his Erasmus last semeseter in the Czech Republic and would love to work in the EU some day in the future. His main motivation when sending his application was, he says, the chance to get to know how the EU, the Council works, how laws are conducted and past.
“In the simulation we took actions according to the EU countries` interests. One of the amendments was about taking into account the interests of neighboring countries as well. And this kind of solutions must be implemented in Azerbaijan as well,”- he says.
He says he would love to share pieces of advice, recomendations with state agencies about the green economy, implement relevant projects in favour of society including with assistance of the EU funds.
“The main thing is most vehicles use fossil fuel and oil products. It directly undermines an ecological situation in Azerbaijan. Bicycles are rare here than in Europe. We need to use more bycicles, scooters, ecofriendly transportation, technologies, eco-innovaiton. I would love to see these kinds of things in Azerbaijan,”- he concludes.
“We all together have just one World to live in”
Almaz Mirzayeva, 23, is a Young European Ambassador (YEA). She has graduated from the Baku Engineering University. She studied at the English language faculty. She says after the event as an YEA she would have discussion among other YEAs about joint projects on green economy.
“I think sustainable green economy is one the main topics in the 21st century. We all together have just one World to live in. It would be great if our government has such debate about the green economy. Azerbaijan is a developing not developed country yet and still we try to do our best. Some ideas mentioned here can be implemented in Azerbaijan,”- she says.
She says this event is a big experience for her and other delegates as they can get some ideas, learn what EU countries have already done, what strategies on the sustainable transition to the green economy implemented. She adds that there should be more interactive and question/answer-oriented approach to make the event more interesting and participants more motivated.
Five contestants for one spot
Rahila Aghababayeva, 22, is one of the head organizers of the event. She says there were 113 applicants altogether i.e. five contestants for one spot. It was very competitive process, she adds, as the applications were coming in even after the deadline.
“They can use this {experience} in their CV as well. They increase their public speaking, English language skills, outlook on the EU, sustainable development and the topic – climate change. They get to know how to write policies. That is the most important part as they will become our future diplomats,” – she concludes.
It is worth to note that there were international participants from Germany, Switzerland, and Kazakhstani among selected 28 delegates.
Held at ADA University in Baku, the role-play activity allowed participants to gain a better understanding of the EU decision-making process and develop various soft skills such as public speaking, working under pressure, teamwork and negotiating. The topic of the 2 days-long activity was the sustainable transformation to green economy.
This article was produced by Ismayil Fataliyev, the Project’s local correspondent and EaP Civil Society Fellow from Azerbaijan in the framework of the EU-funded ‘Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility – Regional Actions’ Project. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Ismayil Fataliyev and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Project. The photos are provided by the Local Correspondent.
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