On 11-16 April 2015 the project “Higher education and promotion of personal development. Learn from each other's experiences” was realized by Belgium Turkish Associations Union and MIRAS Social Organizaiton in Suppport of Styding of Cultural Heritage within ERASMUS+ exchange program. So, youth of 15-26 age from Azerbaijan and Belgium were passed trainings in Baku city, Agsu, Gabala and Shamakhi regions of Azerbaijan within a week.
The aim of the project is to show patriotism, knowledge, thought, education, style of thinking, attitudes towards the various issues and language skills of youth and gain mutual knowledge exchanges among the youth of both countries. The Belgium delegation was led by Rifat Jan, chairman of Belgium Turkish Associations Union, as well as Sergul Shamlioglu, Ahmet Arkan, Hava Elbiz, Huseyin Aydınlı. The students represented Antwerpen, Kent and Brussels of Belgium while from Azerbaijan there were students from Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, Khazar University, Baku State University, Technical University and others.
The youth got acquainted in Royal Hotel in Baku and the project was presented there. The YouthPass questionnaires were distrubuted among the youth and questions on the information, the cases they faced and impressions within this project, were put. Then they had been in Martrs’ Lane, Flag Museum, Miniature Book Museum Shirvanshah’s Palace Ensemble in Baku as provided in the project. They were given rich information on these cultural and historical places. They later watched “
poppy-seed tears” spectacle in Baku Children Theatre which is dealt with drug-use, written by Arzu Soltan, writer and deputy chairman of MIRAS and produced by Intigam Soltan.
On the second day of the project the youth went to Gobustan National Historical-Artistic Reserve which is in UNESCO Cultural Heritage List. They visited Gobustan Museum and rock arts. The participants on the same day listened to Shahlar Asgarov’s speech on “one day of a politician and pedagogue” in Royal Hotel. They familiarized with novelties and attitudes towards the problems in the domain of science and education in Azerbaijan.
Within the project the youth visited Juma Mosques in Shamakhi and Gabala, as well as Nohurgol Lake and Tufandagh. The participants of ERASMUS+ program acting on the route of Shamakhi-Gabala-Shamakhi were also at the seminar of member of MIRAS Organizaiton and ecologist, Gulshan Huseynova in Gabala. Within this seminar Azerbaijani nature, ecological problems were discussed and interactive ecological games played. The winners of the game were presented as a gift “Anam Khazarim” book by well-known ecologist-expert Latifa Huseynova. They stayed for two nights in Rixos by Platinum hotel in Shamakhi.
The next day the youth came to Agsu within ERASMUS+ program. Professor Gafar Jabiyev had a seminar on “Azerbaijani media: present situation and development directions” in Agsu Children and Youth Creative House. Head of Agsu region Executive Power, Anvar Seyidaliyev and MP Arastun Javadov representing Agsu met the youth. Afterwards, they familiarized with the process of production in AzGranata MMC.
On the second half of the day chairman of MIRAS Social Organization and PhD Fariz Khalilli had a seminar on “Impression of archaeology” in Medieval Agsu Town Archaeological Tourism Complex. During the seminar there was given valuable information on one day of archaeologist, as well as Medieval Agsu Town Archaeological Tourism Complex, explorations in Mehravan Castle and interesting discussions on archaeology and history were made there.
The participants spent the overnight at the base of Agsu Archaeological Expedition and camps, and houses in Gagali Village. In the evening the youth were presented both local musicians’ and mugham singers’ concert.
On the last day of the project the knowledge of the participants were evaluated and granted certificates of attendances and certificates of distinction.
The project assumes great importance from aspect of strengthening friendly relations between youth of Azerbaijan and Belgium, study of common cultural values and acquainted with Azerbaijan country thereby causing unforgettable memories among the yotuh. The students played various interesting games for this term and shared the most interesting moments of their lives.
At the next stage of the project the youth elected from Azerbaijani part will go to Belgium and pass the similiar trainings there.