Azernews.Az

The constituent assembly of the World Association of Azerbaijani Youth was held in Baku on Monday.

Representatives of diaspora organizations established by Azerbaijani youths living abroad, Azerbaijani youth groups, students studying in prestigious foreign universities, as well as some 500 heads of Azerbaijani diaspora organizations and visitors attended the event.

Over 50 Azerbaijani youth organizations operate in foreign countries today.

Azerbaijani Presidential Administration`s head of social and political issues, Ali Hasanov, read out President Ilham Aliyev`s greetings to the participants of the Association`s constituent assembly.

President Aliyev wrote in his message that Azerbaijan`s future depends on the education of youths, its receptivity to innovations, patriotism and commitment to the national and spiritual values.

``Therefore, the creation of favorable conditions for comprehensive development of young people, resolving their social problems and taking a worthy place in society are one of the priorities of public policy,`` Aliyev wrote.

The letter also stressed that young people`s growing interest in education, science and modern information and communication technologies, patriotism and social activity inspire even more hope for the future.

``It is a gratifying fact that each representative of the Azerbaijani youth, regardless of place of residence and social status, is proud of his homeland, spares no effort in the name of national interests,`` Aliyev said. ``I think that the Azerbaijani youth, World Association of Azerbaijani Youth, will create an opportunity to improve the organization of the young generation, to inform the world community about Azerbaijan`s realities, to strengthen the Diaspora and to coordinate young people`s activity in the promotion of cultural heritage. I believe that the day when this solemn event will take place will be inscribed in the history of the Azerbaijani youth movement as a significant event.``

Ali Hasanov said in his remarks at the congress that the Azerbaijani youth was able to become a major factor both in the country and in the world. He cited the major undertakings of Azerbaijani youths in more than 70 countries as part of the ``Justice for Khojaly`` campaign, which aims to increase awareness about the Khojaly massacre of Azerbaijanis committed by Armenian armed forces in 1992.

Hasanov stressed that in the first years of Azerbaijan`s independence, neither the youth could serve the state nor the state took care of youths. After national leader Heydar Aliyev came to power, a state youth policy was formed in the country, he said.

``The youth shouldering Azerbaijan`s important challenges shaped up in the 21st century. The youth able to take all care of the state, talented and active, with high intellect, full of national and patriotic sentiments, capable of representing Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people appropriately was formed,`` Hasanov said.

He added that in the future Azerbaijani youths will be uniting in diaspora organizations, in the parliaments of Russia, Ukraine as well as in influential public organizations.

Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin`s welcoming letter was also read out during the constituent assembly.

The meeting participants adopted the bylaws of the World Association of Azerbaijani Youth and an action plan for 2012-2015.