Ganja. Azer Mammadli – APA. The "Ganja European Youth Capital" project was launched in the Ganja city of Azerbaijan on May 4.
The event participants included the Azerbaijani President's Aide for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov, Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov, Minister of Communication and Information Technologies Ramin Guluzade, board member of the European Youth Forum Lora Todorova, Chair of the Advisory Council on Youth at Council of Europe Marko Grdosic, Executive Director of Network of European Youth Capitals Andras Farkas and young people from various European countries.
Declaring the event open, head of the Ganja Executive Power Elmar Veliyev called the election of the Ganja city as the European Youth Capital a significant event.
During the event, Ali Hasanov read out a congratulatory letter by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev.
Hasanov also addressed the event.
“Ganja, the land of famous figures of art and science, is known for its rich history, unique material and spiritual cultural monuments. As a result of the work done in recent years, the appearance of this historic land has significantly changed and the city’s infrastructure has been thoroughly renewed,” he said.
Azerbaijan is one of the few countries in the world, which is both a member of the OIC and the Council of Europe, according to Hasanov.
He noted that success achieved in the youth policy, cooperation of Azerbaijan’s youth organizations on international platforms and the fact that Azerbaijan has hosted a number of events at the regional, continental and global events played a significant role in the election of Ganja as European Youth Capital.
Hasanov went on to say that in the years of independence, Azerbaijan has implemented a youth policy, which can be an example for the whole world. He mentioned that the youth policy, the foundations of which were laid by Azerbaijan’s national leader Heydar Aliyev, is successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev.
The presidential aide called the election of Ganja as European Youth Capital a success of Azerbaijan’s young people who successfully represent the country at international events.
Hasanov mentioned that young people aged 14-29 years make 28% of world’s population, this figure – 21% in Europe and 29% in Azerbaijan.
Addressing the event, Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s minister of youth and sports, said that a special action plan on youth policy has been developed under the presidential order.
The minister said that the main focus of the state policy is the comprehensive development of young people and the creation of conditions for their active participation in society.
He noted that there are more than 350 youth organizations Azerbaijan and dozens of international event are held in the country every year.
Rahimov added that in 2011-2015, the ministry implemented 542 projects on youth policy and the Youth Foundation funded over 3,200 projects.
The Youth House of Ganja opened during the event. The guests familiarized themselves with the conditions created for the young people here.
In the second half of the day, the guests will review "Old Ganja" exhibition and take part in the opening ceremony of the office of Ganja European Youth Capital 2016 Public Union.
They will also visit the exhibition in Ganjachay park-boulevard complex, event of dancers, musicians and young people in Ganja European Youth Capital 2016 Park.
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