On February 2, Youth Day was celebrated in Azerbaijan. Today, young people are represented in various fields. From time to time, opinions regarding the importance of young personnel are also voiced.
It is interesting to know at what level youth activity is in political parties?
Modern.az conducted a survey among parties in this regard.
In a statement to our website, Milli Majlis member and chairman of the Azerbaijan National Independence Party, Arzuxan Alizade, stated that young people are represented in the party's Supreme Assembly and Central Disciplinary Commission:
“Currently, the process of the next renewal of the youth organization is underway. An event related to this will be held on Saturday of this week. This is because the chairman of the youth organization is currently abroad for educational purposes. Two of his deputies are also not in the country. There are also deputies within the country; they will gather, and some structural changes will be made. The members of the youth organization, those who lead, are those who held various positions in the party leadership in due course. The chairman of the Supreme Assembly was once the head of the youth organization. Currently, my deputy for international affairs was a member of the youth organization. My current deputy chairman for organizational matters also chaired the party's youth organization in due course. From this perspective, I can say that our youth are quite active.”
The party chairman noted that the party's young members are also active on the international stage:
“At the same time, we are members of the International Young Democrat Union. That is, AMIP youth are also active on the international stage and participate in various events. Our youth participate in processes abroad and receive invitations. We have such an active youth organization. We strive for our youth to be even more active. By the way, yesterday was Youth Day. On this occasion, I would like to congratulate all our young people who worthily continue Azerbaijani statehood and our national traditions.”
Adem Ismayil Bakuvi, chairman of the Vahdat Party, noted that young people constitute 37 percent of the Vahdat Party's total members:
“Over the past eight months, significant and measurable progress has been observed in the Vahdat Party regarding youth. As a result of systematic work, there has been an influx of new, active, and qualified young people into the party. This process can be evaluated as the beginning of a new stage in the party's youth policy. Currently, young people constitute 37 percent of the Vahdat Party's total members. The vast majority of these young people are individuals with higher and secondary specialized education, as well as those engaged in academic and scientific activities. They do not merely remain within the framework of formal membership but also act as real personnel actively participating in the social, intellectual, and public life of society.”
Adem Ismayil Bakuvi added that the gender balance among young people is also at a remarkable level:
“Thus, 19 percent of the party's young members are young women with higher education. This indicator clearly demonstrates the growing role of young women in the Vahdat Party and the formation of a healthy gender balance.
In recent months, at the initiative of young people, chess and sports clubs, scientific and intellectual discussion platforms, and philosophy and debate clubs have been established within the party. These structures serve to shape young people into a critical-thinking, discussion-capable, and responsible political generation.
For the Vahdat Party, young people are not just the reserve of the future, but the political reality of today. The party's development strategy is clearly focused on youth, and this approach distinctly differentiates it from other political organizations in the field of youth work.”
Mutallim Rahimly, chairman of the Adalat Party, stated that they wish for more young members:
“The Youth Organization of the Adalat Party has been active since the party's inception. Our members who once chaired the Youth Organization have now established themselves in public and political life and hold quite high positions.
Our youth have always been active and play a leading role in all party events. Many of our young members are now considered part of the older age group as they have passed 30-35 years of age. It is not so easy to fill their places. However, there are young people in our society who prefer to work for public interests. This creates very great hopes for the future. We would like to have more young members".
The party chairman stated that young people currently constitute 10% of the total members:
"Nevertheless, there are many young people who are passively members in our ranks. Although their numbers are not as high as we would wish, the activity of our youth is sufficient to cover all shortcomings. Thus, we already celebrated Youth Day last Saturday. Information about our event has been disseminated in the media and social networks. By adding an artistic and musical program to our political event, our youth were able to demonstrate their distinctiveness. Currently, the chairman of our party's Youth Organization is Malik Mammadli. Our youth constitute approximately 10 percent of the total members. The chairman of the Youth Organization is represented in the party leadership due to his position. We also have young people in the Supreme Assembly.”
Giyas Sadigov, chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Party, stated that young people constitute 25% of the party's executive board.
“Our party has around 2000 young members. The activity of young people in the party's life is not satisfactory. We strive to attract more young people and encourage them to engage in more active participation.”
Natig Jafarli, chairman of the REAL Party, stated that the party does not have a youth organization. He expressed that this was the party's own decision.
The party chairman added that they work on general projects rather than separate sections for youth and women:
“In any case, the party itself consists mostly of young people. Therefore, there is no need to create a separate youth organization. There was a youth organization during the movement period, with 800 members. Young people have their own initiatives, and we participate. However, women's and youth sections are no longer accepted globally. The party prefers to work on projects as a unified organism. In Azerbaijan, REAL is also the first and only party that works on projects, i.e., topics.”
Tural Abbasli, chairman of the AG Party, answered our question as follows:
“Our party consists almost entirely of young people. The vast majority of the party is young. Generally speaking, almost all those in leadership are also young. It depends on what age range is meant by 'youth'. From that perspective, perhaps we are the youngest party in Azerbaijan. But I don't think this is important in the life of a political party. The representation of our youth in politics is not encouraging. Young people cannot realize their potential either in politics or in their social activities. This issue is more thought-provoking than the number of young people in party ranks".
He added that it would be better if the government further strengthened its youth policy:
"I believe the state should implement a special policy regarding youth so that young people can build their lives. Their trust in their own state should increase, and they should not flee. They should dedicate their scientific skills and potential to their own country, not abroad. I congratulate our youth. However, I must regretfully note that Azerbaijani youth are the most neglected social segment. If the government strengthens its policy in this direction, I think it would be better.”
Tamilla Gulami, deputy chairwoman of the Umid Party, stated that the Umid Party's Youth Organization is a highly active and organized structure:
“First and foremost, I sincerely congratulate all our youth on the occasion of Youth Day. I wish that they always have conditions to be proud of their lives in this homeland. Youth are among the most dynamic, innovative, and key forces shaping the future of our society and country. Their active participation in socio-political processes is a fundamental condition for healthy and sustainable development.
In this regard, the Youth Organization of the Azerbaijan Umid Party is a highly active and organized structure. Today, thousands of young members are active in the party's ranks, and they actively participate in various projects, social initiatives, educational, and public events".
The deputy chairwoman emphasized that approximately half of the party leadership consists of young people:
"The party approaches youth not merely as members, but as a decision-making force, positively considers their proposals at the central headquarters and in our regional organizations, and allocates ample space for their participation in discussion topics. It is precisely as a result of this that almost half of the party leadership consists of young people. This is a clear example of the high value placed on the potential, knowledge, and initiative of young people. Our youth always participate in the process as active candidates, whether in municipal or parliamentary elections.
Once again, I congratulate all our youth on Youth Day, wishing them success and continuous activity! They are the keys to the door of the future!”.
Gulagha Aslanli, deputy chairman of the Musavat Party, stated that several young people are active in the party's council:
“The youth organization of the Musavat Party has become significantly more active after the last elections held within this organization. This is confirmed by the active participation of young people in the events organized by the party. Youth organizations are also active in many regional organizations of the party. Several young people are active in the party's Council.”
