BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 7. A forum titled "A safe future for the Great Return" was held in Baku, organized with the support of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) and the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation, as well as the “Great Return” Youth Organization, Trend reports.
The main goal of the forum was to raise awareness about the fight against the threat of landmines, inform the public about the work being done in this area, and involve young people in this process.
As part of the forum, a photo exhibition was presented, showcasing humanitarian demining operations and the life stories of landmine victims.
Jeyhun Huseynov, Deputy Executive Director of the Youth Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan, delivered a welcoming address, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness among young people and the general public about the threat posed by landmines through their active participation. He particularly highlighted the significance of the work carried out by youth and volunteer organizations, as well as by volunteers from the “Return” program, in this regard. Huseynov emphasized that the Youth Fund always supports such initiatives and is constantly working to increase youth participation in educational activities and the development of a culture of safety.
In his speech, ANAMA Chief of Staff Rauf Huseynov spoke about the mine threat in the liberated territories, as well as the humanitarian demining efforts being carried out there. He also noted that a safe and sustainable future, free from the threat of landmines, is possible only through the joint efforts not only of government agencies but of society as a whole.
Gaya Mammadov, a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, spoke about the social and humanitarian consequences of the landmine threat and emphasized the importance of joint efforts in this area.
Subsequently, Aykhan Allahverdiyev, Chairman of the “Great Return” Youth Organization, delivered a presentation in which he described the activities of volunteers from the “Return” program in the liberated areas. He also emphasized the importance of collaborating with ANAMA as part of the ongoing program to raise awareness about the risks of explosive devices, titled “Safe Return.”
The second part of the forum featured a panel discussion. The event was moderated by Anar Irzaguliyev, a staff member of ANAMA’s Public Relations Department. Participants in the panel discussion included: Elnur Gasimov, Head of ANAMA’s Quality Control Department; Nail Shukurov, Head of the Department for Work with Youth Organizations at the Youth Fund; Roza Sefihanli, member of the ANAMA Public Council; and Hasanali Aliyev, a mine victim and staff member of ANAMA’s Education and Victim Assistance Department. The speakers discussed issues related to creating a safe environment in the post-conflict period, the consequences of the mine threat, the role of youth and volunteers as a driving force in combating the mine hazard, and exchanged views on educational projects.
