Social

Home page

Social

Azad Rahimov: â€œThe priority of the ministryâ€™s activity is the solution of the problem of youth employmentâ€ â€“ INTERVIEW

Azad Rahimov: â€œThe priority of the ministryâ€™s activity is the solution of the problem of youth employmentâ€ â€“ <font color=red>INTERVIEW </font>

30 January 2009 15:28 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Kamala Guliyeva â€“ APA. Youth and Sport Minister Azad Rahimov gave interview to the mass media. APA reports that in his interview the minister touched on Youth Day and other issues.

-What will be the priorities of the youth policy in 2009?

-Youth employment remains the priority of our ministry. This is one of the main problems of our country. You know that people under 35 make up 60 percent of the countryâ€™s population. The major problem of the youth is the solution of the problem of employment. I have several stated that the ministry does not create jobs. But soon after the establishment of career center with the ministryâ€™s support in the Economic University, 700 people were employed. The work will continue in this direction. Career centers, resource centers will be set up and entrepreneurship festivals will be held for students.

-The ministry held several great summits last year. Do you plan to hold such summits this year?

-Youth and Sport Ministry together with Education Ministry and State Student Admission Commission will hold International Science Olympiad in December this year. Last year this Olympiad was held in Korea. Representatives of 85 countries participated in the competition. The representatives of over 50 countries will participate in this yearâ€™s Olympiad. Over 500 children are expected to come to Baku. Decoration of the hall, where the Olympiad will be held, preparation of questions and check of the results is very important. We believe that we will be able to organize International Science Olympiad well.

-Local and international organizations admit that young people are infected with AIDS and become drug addicts more. How many drug addicts are there in the country and what does the ministry do to prevent it?

-This process is observed in the whole world, not only in Azerbaijan, because the awareness in this field is not enough. We should work more. The youth should be informed about all stages of these diseases not only in Baku but also in the regions. We involve famous sportsmen in this campaign. Their speeches have more influence on them than brochures and booklets. We can not carry out studies in connection with drug addicts. We are informed about these numbers by various organizations. According to several reports, drug users reached over 30.000. These numbers were officially registered.

- There are reports that TV Channels do not want to air social advertisements. Will the Ministry conduct negotiations with TV Channels to increase such kind of advertisements?

- We do not have any problem with channels. Our social advertisements are broadcasted in channels. Most of them are private TV Channels. It is difficult to make them air free advertisements. If there is any law on it, channels will not refuse to broadcast them.

- Will projects on youth camp and youth center be realized this year?

- 2009 will be difficult year, because of financial problems in comparison with 2007 and 2008. I do not believe in realization of them this year. Financial problems impede us to realize these projects. We have appealed to Baku Mayorâ€™s Office on the issue. Three hectare areas were allocated in a short time. Along with any company we should build buildings there. We can propose the land, install communication lines, but the company may build the buildings. We think that there will not be free of charge distribution of houses. The houses will be distributed by long term mortgages without advanced payment. There are abut 600.000 youths without homes. The buildings have not been constructed recently, because of world economic crisis. We will feel crisis in construction unlike other fields.

-How many youth projects will the ministry finance this year?

-I canâ€™t say an exact number of the projects. The issue will be discussed at the ministryâ€™s Public Council on February 2. I think nearly 40 projects will be funded. 100 000 AZN will be spent to the projects in the first half of the year. If we have financial resources the issue will be brought to agenda in the second half. We couldnâ€™t fund the youth projects in 2007-2008 for lack of financial resources. This year we would like to make leeway.

-Last year the ministry supported the Eurovision contest, but this year its support is not seen. What does it connect with?

- Last year Azerbaijan attended the Eurovision contest for the first time. Therefore we wanted to prepare perfect presentation of Azerbaijan. We intended to prove that Azerbaijan can organize such shows and invited EBU Eurovision manager, Sertap Erener, Ruslana and Maria Sherifovic to the national finals of the contest. We donâ€™t need it this year. We aim to prepare a perfect show that our representative can perform in a high level. We have to focus on that. The contest can bring surprise results because people living all over the Europe are voting.

-What is new in the education of young people abroad this year?

-The government can meet tuitions of at least 1000 students a year. Last year only 120 people applied to the education commission. 880 vacancies remained empty. We had financial resources for that, but there was less applicants. The government is ready to meet expenditures of 1000 students every year until 2012. There is no problem with their employment in future. The ministry supports the student organization in Europe.

-Very expensive prizes presented to the Olympic champions can suppress the sportsmenâ€™s willingness to reach new achievements. Will there be any restrictions?

-The people have different characters. They deserve those prizes because they bring great happiness to the country and work hardly during the trainings. I believe that they will not leave the trainings and will wish to experience those happy moments. I wish the sportsmen not to change their character for money.

-Are you satisfied with the patriotic mood of young people in the Army? Reports about the captivities of Azerbaijani soldiers by Armenians or suicides of the soldiers show that the situation is not satisfactory.

-Such cases are not avoidable in the large armies. I like to visit the military units, but I didnâ€™t face with such cases there. The officers concern mostly about the mathematical knowledge of the soldiers.

- Today the ministry celebrates its 15th anniversary. How are you going to celebrate birthday.

- We have no plans about that yet. It is very nice question. Indeed we have remarkable achievements.