NGONEWS
digest
Monthly digest of Society
for Humanitarian Researches
30 July 2000 (03)
- NORTHERN POPULATION BARELY
AWARE OF NGOs
- SAFE FOOD PROBLEMS DISCUSSED
- WOMEN`s PROBLEMS TO BE DISCUSSED
- MARKETING SPECIALISTS SOCIETY
ESTABLISHED
- WB EXPANDING GEOGRAPHY OF
PROJECTS
- IFAD NEGOTIATES UPLAND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
- CONSUMER RIGHTS IN S. CAUCASUS
DISCUSSED IN TBILISI
- Trade Union Of Journalists
Confers Diplomas
- Soros Foundation Issues Over
$700,000 In Grants
- Social Environment Conference
Identifies Serious Problems
- Entrepreneurship Confederation,
NGO Forum Sign Agreement
- Kirgiz Journalist Released
- About summary of THE PROGRAM
“civil society and democratic
- enlightenment” implemented
by secular progress youth organization
- Center of Young Leader’s
- Azerbaijan Psychologists Association
- SIDU – 2000
Society For Humanitarian
Researches
Address: Azerbaijan
Baku –370000,
Tel/fax: (994 12)
946736
Mobile: (994 50)
3202534
E-mail: avaz@azeurotel.com
www:http://members.xoom.com/centerhr97
NORTHERN POPULATION BARELY AWARE
OF NGOs
The monitoring conducted in northern
provinces of Azerbaijan, Siyazan, Davachi and Khachmaz,
has demonstrated that local population is barely in- formed
of non-governmental organizations and the NGO movement in
general. At the same time, there are 12, 11 and more than
20 public organizations of various profile in these provinces
respectively. Representatives of the NGO Forum conducting
the monitoring have met with the people of Khachmaz, representatives
of political parties, local NGO activists to inform them
of the NGO Forum objectives. Also discussed were problems
and prospects of the public sector on the countryside.
SAFE FOOD PROBLEMS DISCUSSED
Issues related to safe food and
customs duties in export and import operations involving
agricultural products were on the agenda of a meeting in
Turkey Monday. The meeting was attended by representatives
of 11 countries, including Azerbaijan and organized by the
International Foundation for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Deputy minister for agriculture Sabir Valiyev said the proposals
and projects initiated during the forum would be thoroughly
studied by appointed working groups. In September, ministers
for agriculture are expected to sign corresponding agreements
in Romania, he said.
WOMEN`s PROBLEMS TO BE DISCUSSED
The Government`s policy with regard
to women, women`s entrepreneurial activities and the problems
they encounter will be high on the agenda at a conference
on July 25. The "New economic policy: problems of female
entrepreneurs and farmers and ways of their solution"
conference is being held by
the state committee on women`s problems, according to the
deputy chairperson of the committee Malahat Hasanova. Representatives
of ministries of agriculture, labor and social security,
tax, economics, as well as private and international organizations
are expected to take part.
MARKETING SPECIALISTS SOCIETY
ESTABLISHED
A constituent assembly of the Society
of Marketing Specialists, which includes representatives
of over 50 renowned companies, has been held. The purpose
of the association is to develop marketing as a form of
international scientific research. The Society will promote
the activity of its members in the area of marketing, ensure
observance of international marketing regulations in the
republic, etc.
WB EXPANDING GEOGRAPHY OF PROJECTS
Last week, the World Bank delegated
two missions to Azerbaijan in an effort to expand its operations
geography in the region and speed up farm privatization.
Implementation of the WB projects in Azerbaijan and prospects
of their expansion were high on the agenda during the Bank`s
mission to Azerbaijan led by director Mrs. Judy O`Connor.
She told a news conference at the WB Azerbaijan office Saturday
that she had met with vice-premiers and other government
dignitaries to touch upon some of the Bank`s projects currently
underway in Azerbaijan.
Mrs. O`Connor also said she had visited the Samur-Absheron
canal being reconstructed with the aid of the World Bank.
According to her, a water-supply project for rural areas
emerged pending the reconstruction operations and the Bank
had already allocated a credit for the purpose. Another
WB mission, led by Mr. Sambat, assessed the progress of
WB-funded farm privatization project.
Mr. Sambat held meetings at the ministry of finance, Agri-Industrial
Bank, at "Hayat" national NGO, and with farmers
in Ujar. Mr. Sambat gave a positive feedback to the work
undertaken to this end and made suggestions at speeding
up the project. He has also conducted an inspection meeting
with all employees of the Agency for Private Sector Development
in Agriculture. Appointment of new Baku representative The
World Bank Director on Azerbaijan Judy O`Connor told a news
briefing Saturday that the 5-year tenure of the WB representative
in Baku Tevfik Yaprak was to expire this month. She said
Mr. Yaprak had been appointed to work in Georgia. Asked
of Mr. Yaprak`s successor, Mrs. O`Connor said a large list
of candidates was being scrutinized in Washington. She added
that a new candidate would be selected by late July. Asked
about the National Environmental Program (NEP), Mrs. O`Connor
stated that this was a long-term initiative, that it
contained quite a few ecological projects, which are already
being implemented.
NEP was prepared by the Azerbaijan Government in cooperation
with the World Bank in 1997. The WB Resident Manager in
Azerbaijan Mr. Tevfik Yaprak has stated that one of the
NEP projects envisions construction of a fishery in Neftchala.
Mrs. O`Connor and Mr. Yaprak were received by President
Aliyev Saturday.
IFAD NEGOTIATES UPLAND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
A mission of the International Foundation
for Agricultural Development (IFAD) visited Azerbaijan last
week over the upland development program for the country,
as head of the mission Muhammad Hassani discussed the work
undertaken on the first stage of the program with the Azerbaijan
government - a 7-year project encompassing 5 provinces:
Gabala, Guba, Gadabay, Lerik, and Shahbuz. Receiving the
IFAD delegation, first vice-premier Abbas Abbasov suggested
that two more upland provinces be included into the program.
According to the deputy head of the Agency for Private Sector
Development in Agriculture Famil Mehdiyev, the delegation
said the Foundation would duly consider the request.
CONSUMER RIGHTS IN S. CAUCASUS
DISCUSSED IN TBILISI
A conference on protection of consumer
rights in South Caucasus was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, July
7-9 The event was organized by the "Consumers International"
organization. Chairman of the Association of Free Consumers
of Azerbaijan (AFCA) Eyub Husseinov attended the conference
and told AssA-Irada afterwards that the forum was an important
step toward protection of consumers from low-quality goods.
Azernews, No. 28 (158), July
12-18, 2000
Trade Union Of Journalists Confers
Diplomas
7 media representatives and the
news section of "Space" independent television
company, were awarded the diplomas from the trade union
of journalists Thursday. Among the awarded was the director
of "AssA-Irada" News Agency, editor-in-chief of
"Azernews" newspaper Fazil Abbasov. The award-giving
ceremony was held during a conference "Azeri press
- 125: realities and prospects", organized by
the Union and dedicated to the Day of National Press. A
welcoming address of the Director of International Institute
of Press Mr. Cohan Fritz was read and presentations made
on "Azeri press yesterday, today and tomorrow"
and "Azeri journalism and international entities".
Soros Foundation Issues Over
$700,000 In Grants
In the first 6 months of 2000, the
Soros Foundation (Open Society Institute-Azerbaijan) has
issued $726,000 in grants. Of this amount, $172,000 were
allocated through 183 personal grants and $554,000 through
47 grants for organizations. According to the Foundation`s
executive director David Stubbs, the grants are allotted
under plans and projects that correspond with the Institute`s
mission. He said the
mission has three key objectives: to give an impetus to
the development of an open society, to help the formation
of a civic society and to promote educational development.
Mr. Stubbs indicated that thanks to the steadily growing
budget of the Foundation, financing of an increasing number
of programs and projects is becoming possible.
Simultaneously established in Azerbaijan and Armenia in
1996 with same-sized budgets, the Institute`s funds in Azerbaijan
expanded in 1998, 1999 and 2000. He added that as many grants
would be allocated in the second half of 2000 as were in
the first.
Only One Media Contest To Be
Held Since 2001
A presentation ceremony of best
mass media and journalists was held at the "Azerbaijan"
cinema Friday night on the occasion of the 125th anniversary
of national journalism. The "Media Key" contest
was announced by the Journalists` Organization "Yeni
Nasil" and the Press Club of Baku. Winners were announced
on the following nominations: "Best TV" (Space),
"Best Journalist" (Haji Zamin), "Best
newspaper" (Yeni Musavat), "Best News Agency"
(Turan), etc. Chairman of "Yeni Nasil" Arif Aliyev
stated that starting from 2001 all the journalist contests
would be abolished. All journalist organizations of Azerbaijan,
in cooperation with the Azerbaijan representation of the
United Nations, will establish an international competition
for journalists.
The ceremony participants then watched a new film "Akinchi"
produced by "AzTV" under the guidance of a renowned
television journalist Gulu Maharramli. Copyright 2000 AssA-Irada
Social Environment Conference
Identifies Serious Problems
The Azeri society has recently become
very susceptible to the ever-growing psychological impact.
Unlike environmental pollution, the psychological one escapes
public eye and is disguised, therefore, it has a great influence
on human psyche. This was admitted on Monday at a "Social
environment in Azerbaijan: identifying most dangerous types
of psychological pollution, ways of combating and preventing
it" conference. Mentioned among the most perilous derivatives
of psychological contamination were the inundation of advertising
business, an overt propaganda of drugs, sex, violence, etc.
President of the "Human being and environment"
intellectual center Ismayil Ismayilov says psychological
pollution penetrates into the national culture, traditions,
ethnic customs and rituals, our world-outlook, mode of thinking,
understanding of family and upbringing. If this process
is not reversed, its outcome will be
disastrous. Struggle against psychological contamination
must be the focus of public attention. An important role
in the problem`s solution can be played by NGOs. The conference
is expected to continue on July 25 and 26.
Entrepreneurship Confederation,
NGO Forum Sign Agreement
The Entrepreneurship Confederation
of Azerbaijan (ECA) and the NGO Forum signed a joint activities
agreement Tuesday on promoting enterprise and NGO development
and protecting their rights and legal interests. ECA and
the NGO Forum will jointly work on "Human being and
ecology", "Construction of small and big cities",
"Agriculture in the 21th century", "Social
security of the population", etc. projects. An analytical
center and expert commission are to be established for the
purpose.
The agreement signed by ECA`s president Alakbar Mammadov
and president of the NGO Forum Azay Guliyev will be in effect
till December 21, 2001.
Kirgiz Journalist Released
A correspondent of "Akiykat"
newspaper, published in Jalal-Abad region of Kyrgyzstan,
Moldosali Ibrahimov has been released thanks to the effort
of the Trade Union of Journalists of Azerbaijan (TUJA) in
the area of struggle for freedom of press and expression
in the Caucasus and Central Asia, a source at the Union
said Thursday. M. Ibrahimov had been sentenced to two years
in jail and served 5 weeks behind bars before being released
on July 20 following an appeal by the TUJA chairman Azer
Hasrat to the
President of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev. The plea attracted
a great deal of international spotlight to the issue. Last
year, the Union took an active part in releasing an Azeri
journalist Fuad Gahramanli, while this year it assisted
in setting free an Armenian journalist Vahram Agajanian
in Upper Karabakh.
About summary of THE PROGRAM
“civil society and democratic enlightenment” implemented
by secular progress youth organization
Secular Progress Youth Organization
summarized the program “Civil Society and Democratic Enlightenment”
the 15th of Junly, 2000.
The program, which began in 1998
by SPYO, conducted every year and completed before The National
Media Day in 22 July aimed to support enlightenment in the
formulation of Azerbaijan juridical State and civil society.
In during last year the below mentioned
arrangements were undertaken within the program:
1.
Seminar “Joint activities of Non-Governmental Organizations
and Mass Media in the work of Democratic Enlightenment:
terms and demands” June 1999, Baku.
2.
Seminar “Enlightenment as a main mission in the activity
of Non-Governmental Organizations” October 1999, Mingechevir.
3.
Seminar “The role of individual right protection in the
democratization of Society ” February 2000, Yevlakch.
4.
Monitoring of “Modern Azerbaijan Enlightenment ” July 2000,
on the republican level.
Monitoring of “Modern Azerbaijan
Enlightenment” took main place in the implementation of
program.
Enlightenment activities of NGOs
and Mass Media are observed by this monitoring in the country.
The list of candidates to price among the journalists, writers,
NGOs and Mass Media is prepared according to the nomination
identified by SPYO in the outcomes of conducted observations.
The produced list is presented for
the SPYO’s Administrative Personnel and Expert's Soviet.
In the result of both structures recommendation the price's
of suitable year are assessed.
We would like to remind you that,
in the Expert Soviet of SPYO that is confidential with certain
reason, involved famous politicians, economist and journalists.
The recommendation given by them is playing an important
role in the assessment of price's.
So, The Pricers of Monitoring of
“Modern Azerbaijan Enlightenment” are:
- The journal “Ganun” is selected
“The best Enlightener Mass Media” for the activity in
the field of “ Political Rights Education”e-mail: ruh@internews.azeri.com
- The TV program “Guzgu” is selected
“The best Enlightener TV program” for the activity in
the field of “Human Rights Education” e-mail: office@internews.com
- Vusala Mahirgyzy the editor-in-chief
of newspaper “Bu Gun” is selected “The best Enlightener
writer” for her activity in the field of “Thought Pluralism
Propaganda” e-mail: postmaster@bugun.baku.az
- Shohrat Eldaniz from the “Space”
TV is selected “The best Enlightener journalist” for his
activity in “Propaganda of Humanism Principles” e-mail:
hasret@azeurotel.com
- Society for Humanitarian Researchs
is selected “The best Enlightener Non-Governmental Organization
” for the activity in the field of “Election Rights Education”.
e-mail: avaz@azeurotel.com
- Citizenships’ Labor Rights Protection
League is selected “The best Enlightener Non-Governmental
Organization” for the activity in the field of “Social-economical
Rights education” e-mail: SMamedov@rc-hro.baku.az
- Human Rights Recourse Center
is selected “The best Enlightener Non-Governmental Organization
” for the activity in the field of “Propaganda of Religious
Toleralizm” e-mail: MMehtiyev@rc-hro.baku.az
- Euro-Atlantic Co-operation Center
is selected “The best Enlightener Non-Governmental Organization”
for the activity in the field of “Propaganda of Citizenship
diplomacy ”. e-mail: amollazade@netscape.net
From the August 2000 there will
be opened a special web site about the pricers (short background,
activity directions and etc.) in the Internet site of SPYO
httr://members.xoom.com/Anar78
New
publications
- Third issue of the "Human
Rights" series Baku.
07.07.2000. /AzadInform/. The Academy of Sciences Human
Rights Institute together with the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights published the brochure "Woman
will and how to achieve it". The brochure calls expedient
to mark woman-nominees names before men and researches
mustering a quorum as well as taking key positions by
women at any political party they belong to. The brochure
makes an emphasis on necessity of protection of women
election rights uring the elections and at political parties.
It was published in Azeri and Russian languages. This
is the third issue of the "Human Rights" series.
- Society for Humanitarian Research
has recently published a brochure under the name
"AZERBAIJAN-ENGLISH-RUSSIAN
TERMINOLOGY DICTIONARY".
NGO Presentation
Center of Young Leader’s
as an educational institution, resource
and coordinating center for NGO’s was created in November
1999 in Ganja by group of young ecologists, students, lawyers.
Mission.
Improvement the state of the third sector in Ganja, civil
society, civic initiatives, active participation of citizens
in the processes of building the civil society, agitation
of free market economy, democratic principles, creation
the good atmosphere for the III sector in Western regions
of Azerbaijan.
Our goals. Democratic,
development of civil society.
Our strategy:
- Establishment of information
and consulting system;
- Improvement civic initiative,
learning a foreign experience;
- Improvement political, public
and economical education of citizens in the regions of
Azerbaijan;
- The educational activities, conducting
seminars, workshops, training’s, round table discussions
about problems of country, especially youth problems;
Our partners:
NGOs, initiative groups in country, and international organizations
and persons who wants democratic development of Azerbaijan
and development of civil society in Azerbaijan.
Activity:
The Center carried out some programs and actions in Ganja
city. This programs were: ecological activity (cleaning
of rubbish’s and etc.). The realized aid to the little profit
families. CYL actively took part in the program named “Training’s-Seminars
for the activists in the regions” - the training’s conducting
by “Inam” CfP. According of this program 6 seminars were
conducted in the three regions-Ganja, Lenkoran and Xachmaz,
2 seminars in during two days in each region. The members
of CYL were the participants of this training’s. With the
own resources Center conduct the training’s on the themes
“Woman Leadership and Community Development”. The members
of CYL took part in the international seminars and workshops.
For example, the “Training’s
for the women leadership in Caucasus”- the seminars conducting
by IDEE/Washington in Tbilisi in Georgia, “Training-seminars
for the leaders of NGOs of Azerbaijan”.
Azerbaijan Psychologists Association
Azerbaijan Psychologists Association
(APA) (established in
1997; officially registered on March 19, 1999) is a non-governmental
organization, non-for-profit professional association, which
membership and activities based on a Charter exclude differentiation
between people made in accordance to their religious, political,
racial, sexual, national or any other beliefs and orientations.
Any professional psychologist owning diploma of psychological
department may become a
member of APA and to use
of all membership privileges.The
main goals of APA: Support
for theoretic and practical academic activities in the area
of psychological science in Azerbaijan Republic: research,
publications, conferences, etc; Research, introduction and
support for innovations in the field of methodology of education
and training; Providing professional consulting and help
for individuals and organizations; Development and realization
of projects aimed to help and ease solution of actual psychosocial
problems in Azerbaijan, especially
benefiting such vulnerable groups as women
and children.
Contact information 370005,
Z. Tagiyev St. #10, apt.#15, Baku, Azerbaijan. tel: +(994
50) 210 82 69 tel/fax: +(994 12) 93 85 28 e-mail:
apa@azdata.net <mailto:apa@azdata.net>
contact person: Javad I. Efendi, Ph.D., President of APA
SIDU – 2000
Helsinki Citizens' Assembly is holding
its Fifth General Assembly in Baku, Azerbaijan, September
27 - October 1, 2000 and Summer School for inter-Cultural
Dialogue and Understanding (SIDU) in Baku, Azerbaijan September
27- October 8, 2000. The Assembly and SIDU are an exciting
opportunity to get acquainted with the Caucasian politics
and societies, and to establish contacts with people, NGOs
and youth groups in the region. The Assembly will be attended
by 550-600 people - civic activists, journalists, etc. from
the Caucasus region and beyond. If you are interested to
attend these events, please check the application package
(sent in attachment) and submit us your application form.
Deadline for applications: August
25th, 2000.
Azerbaijan National
Committee
of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly
28 May street # 3, apt. 11
370014, Baku, Azerbaijan
Tel/fax: (+994-12) 93-80-71
Mobile: (+994-50) 310-32-48
e-mail: pervanam@azeurotel.com
<mailto:pervanam@azeurotel.com>
assembly-baku@azeurotel.com
<mailto:assembly-baku@azeurotel.com>
