BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 3. Baku hosted public hearings on the topic “Engaging Women's and Youth Organizations in the Peace Process in Azerbaijan: Within the Framework of the ‘Bridge of Peace’ Initiative,” with the participation of members of women's and youth organizations within the Bridge of Peace Initiative, Trend reports.
This public discussion, attended by representatives of the National NGO Forum, several NGOs, and women’s and youth organizations, was aimed at sharing the results of the dialogue between representatives of Azerbaijani and Armenian civil society with Azerbaijani civil society, holding an open discussion on the current situation, and developing practical mechanisms for engaging women and youth in the future, and to gather proposals.
Farhad Mammadov, the initiative’s chief coordinator, spoke about the meetings and discussions held between members of civil society in Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the challenges they face, and emphasized the importance of involving women and young people in the peace process.
He noted that, according to survey results, the desire for peace within Armenian society is not particularly strong. Supporters of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan are taking a more active stance in the peace process.
According to Farhad Mammadov, the main focus of the process revolves around two questions:
What should the approach to peace be, and what practical steps can be taken?
The next meeting is scheduled for the near future, with a visit by the Armenian side to Azerbaijan expected. During the meeting, the position of Azerbaijani civil society will be presented to the other side, and potential areas of cooperation will be discussed.
Meanwhile, as part of the “Bridge of Peace” initiative, members of Azerbaijani and Armenian civil society are holding reciprocal meetings. One meeting was organized in Armenia and another in Azerbaijan as part of this initiative. During the meetings, both existing processes were discussed, and an exchange of views took place on the role of civil society in the peace agenda.
Both the Azerbaijani and Armenian groups hold extensive meetings with representatives of civil society in their respective countries, exchanging views on various issues.
The Azerbaijani group of the “Bridge of Peace” initiative has already held meetings with organizations that are members of the Forum of Non-Governmental Organizations.
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