Azerbaijan hosts 4th Islamic Conference on Childhood
By Sara Rajabova
The 4th Islamic Conference of Ministers in charge of Childhood of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, ISESCO kicked off in Baku on November 8.
Some 220 delegates from 56 countries are attending the event themed "The Children of the Islamic World and Problems of Urbanization".
The conference is organized under an agreement signed between the country and the organization this May.
Within the conference, the meeting of experts will be held on November 8-9 and a ministerial conference will be held on November 11-12.
Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children, Aynur Sofiyeva said at the conference that fruitful discussions will be held at this meeting of experts.
She said that Azerbaijan has hosted many such international events in recent years.
Sofieva thanked ISESCO for holding this event in Baku and said that urbanization is one of the phenomena of the 21th century.
Studies show that by 2050 seven people out of ten in the world will live in the cities, Sofiyeva said.
"Each of us has to think about it, as the process of urbanization has both positive and negative
sides. In particular, urbanization has a negative impact on children," Sofiyeva said.
Noting that the solution of children's issues is one of the priorities of Azerbaijan, she added that the country has signed a number of documents for the protection of children's rights.
These documents are aimed at children so they receive the required level of education and care, Sofiyeva noted.
The laws adopted in the country to prevent early marriages and domestic violence, have led to reduction of maternal and child mortality, and of domestic violence.
ISESCO's expert Sadiq Rashid said at the conference that the issue of children and urbanization requires a carrying out of necessary measures.
Rashid added that the process of urbanization has already touched seven percent of the Islamic states.
He said, in Africa, the figure is even higher, adding that in the 11 Islamic states urbanization rate exceeds 70 percent.