Azernews.Az

By Gulgiz Dadashova

A joint training "Formation of assessment and monitoring structures on the basis of the State Program on Azerbaijani Youth in 2011-2015 " was held in Baku on February 19 through the organization of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Azerbaijani Youth and Sport Ministry.

"The State Program 'Azerbaijani Youth in 2011-2015' is aimed to increase the social involvement of youth, create conditions for their participation in the preparation of regulations and processes occurring in society," Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Intigam Babayev said while addressing the event.

According to Babayev, the Azerbaijani youth show their abilities by participating in various international events. "An important part of work falls to young people in formation of the legislation and monitoring of the state program that takes into account the interests of the youth," he said.

In his remarks, UNDP official Nato Alkhazishvili also appraised the work done in the country within the state program, noting that the international community is satisfied with the adoption of the state program associated with youth in Azerbaijan.

"The main thing is to achieve results within the state program," he said.

Stressing the importance of participation of representatives from various ministries in the training, Alkhazishvili said the parties must work together and agree on a number of issues in this area to realize the state program.

The training held under the "Decision-making and participation of young people in the implementation of national youth policy" project is aimed to create a more effective system of monitoring and evaluation of the State Program 'Azerbaijani Youth in 2011-2015' and the relevant state programs.

Speaking about the activities to be realized under the State program, Babayev said the distinguished representatives of the Azerbaijani youth will be honored with the Presidential Award.

He said a special commission including representatives of the government agencies and community organizations will be set up in this regard. Relevant legal documents - the regulations have already been submitted to the relevant bodies, he said.

Young people, who excelled in science and education, culture and art, as well as social activities, will be honored this award. The Presidential Award will be presented as maximum to six people annually, he added.

"Only the best of the best will receive this highest award," Babayev said.

The prize will be presented for the work carried out in the name of the country and the people, for the invention or discovery made in the field of science and education during the year, for the high-level presentation of Azerbaijan in the field of culture and art, as well as the public activities.

The size of the Presidential Award, established to encourage young people, is 10,000 manat.

Previously, the distinguished young people rewarded by the Youth and Sports Ministry in the amount of 500 manat.

Furthermore, Babayev mentioned about new benefits of student cards designed under the state program.

In particular, these cards will offer youth privileges in public transport, he said.

The cards designed under the Azeri Student Card Project aims to provide students with benefits in libraries, vehicles, clubs, medical centers and other public facilities. Benefits for students will vary between 20, 40 and 50 percent depending on the subject. Roughly 197,000 students will be provided with these cards in Azerbaijan.

The Azeri Student Card Project, which is implemented by the Azerbaijan Student Youth Organizations' Union (ASYOU), Youth and Sports Ministry, Education Ministry and Khazar investment center, is part of the state program "Azerbaijani youth in 2011-2015" based on proposals of the ASYOU.

The Azerbaijani youth, numbering 2.8 million people or around 30 per cent of the country's population, constantly benefits from the government's support.

Earlier, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Student Youth Organizations' Union Shahin Ismayilov said a European youth discount card (EYCA) will also be widespread among students.

"This certificate is the student's ticket in Europe and the discount card," he said. "It is issued to people aged between 12 and 30."

EYCA cards are included into the European discount system and supported by the Council of Europe, the European Union, the CE Directorate of Youth and Sport, the European Youth Forum, the European voluntary service, etc.