Communication

Baku Forum: Humanitarian issues at heart

Published

13 years ago

November 4, 2013

The attendance of 13 Nobel laureates at the Baku Forum 2013 is more than a tribute to the creativity and inventiveness of the Nobel family, which was an integral part of the development of the rich Baku oil fields at the beginning of the last century - it also demonstrates the determination of the Azerbaijan leadership to modernise the country, by propelling it into the leading ranks of converging technologies.

The III Baku Forum at Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre (architect Zaha Hadid)

"On scientific innovation Azerbaijan is aiming to be ‘at the forefront’," said President-Professor Ilham Alyiev in his welcoming address. Along with his passon for science, Alyiev also referred to his student years and teaching experience as the "happiest time" of his life.

"The development of science and education is our future and the future of any nation," he said. "With near 100% literacy in Azerbaijan, this allows for improvements to the quality of education, which provides long-term sustainable development.

President-Professor Alyev and wife Mehriban

"Competent and well-educated young people are far from radicalism. It is not easy to mislead them," he added, further indicating his belief that the future development of Azerbaijan should be based on scientific and technological progress, modern technology and a free and democratic society.

The special focus on science as being key for future development was reflected in the topic of discussion at the round tables, namely converging technologies, transferring innovations into education, ecological civilisation and biotechnology.

The Aliyevs with participants

Geographically located between Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan is one of a very few countries that belongs both to the OSCE and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. This unique identity provides the motivation for the Azerbaijan leadership to promote their country as a centre for dialogue between civilisations.

“We are very concerned by conflicts and wars being fought on religious grounds, because these are very dangerous trends," Aliyev added.

"Mass media's responsibility is becoming more pronounced - on the one hand, the internet provides a great advantage, and on the other the impact of every word and piece of information in a globalised world is also immense. A word said in any place can have serious repercussions," the president continued, also calling on politicians, media, opinion leaders and public figures to show responsibility.

The III Baku International Humanitarian Forum, which ran from 31 October to 1 November 2013 hosted 800 participants from 70 countries, and was a great success in terms of its exchange of ideas by people from different backgrounds. The Forum was conducted in three languages, Azeri, English and Russian. At its conclusion, a Declaration was endorsed by participants that places humanitarian co-operation at "the heart of civilized dialogue".