Today - February 2 is Azerbaijan Youth Day.
Based on the Decree signed by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev on February 2, 1997, this day was declared Azerbaijan Youth Day.
Since that time, this day has been celebrated with solemnity in Azerbaijan for the first time among the CIS countries and Eastern European countries.
Much later after the establishment of Youth Day in Azerbaijan - based on the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth held August 8-12, 1998, the UN General Assembly declared August 12 as International Youth Day by the resolution dated December 17, 1999.
The Great Leader Heydar Aliyev took another step that would serve as an example to the whole world for the successful implementation of state policy in the field of youth - he ensured the formation of the necessary legislative framework in this field. Decrees, orders, and state programs aimed at solving the social, economic, and other problems of youth and helping them develop their abilities can serve as examples.
Heydar Aliyev's trust in youth and young people is now finding its confirmation. Today, youth policy in Azerbaijan is experiencing a new phase in essence and quality. President Ilham Aliyev confirms his loyalty to the national leader's youth policy by his decisions. The works carried out in the fields of the moral development of the country's youth, patriotism education, education abroad, solving the problems of those in need of social protection, the formation and development of youth organizations, and the conditions and opportunities created for these are a vivid proof of the great attention of the head of state to this sphere. For example, the "State Program on Education of Azerbaijani Youth Abroad for 2007-2015" approved by the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan dated April 16, 2007, provided comprehensive opportunities for young people from all strata to study abroad. It is precisely within the framework of this program that thousands of young people study at the world's most prestigious universities.
"Azerbaijani youth is active, patriotic, knowledgeable, and educated. Youth, I believe in you, I trust you," said President Ilham Aliyev, who also keeps the employment of youth in focus.
The "Azerbaijani Youth 2011-2015" State Program approved by the Decree of the head of state dated July 7, 2011, and the establishment of the Youth Foundation by the Decree dated December 19, 2011, show the adherence of the national leader's youth policy to scientific-theoretical foundations.
Decrees such as the approval of the "Development Strategy of Azerbaijani Youth for 2015-2025" on January 26, 2015, and the "State Program on Azerbaijani Youth for 2017-2021" are aimed at ensuring more efficient implementation of youth policy, facilitating their active participation in all spheres of society, and increasing attention to education and employment issues of this social group.
The successful policy carried out under the leadership of the head of state Ilham Aliyev can be demonstrated by the increased patriotism among the youth – from the very first days of the Patriotic War, when young people showed their determination to fight for the liberation of the occupied lands. Let us recall that after the provocation committed by Armenia in Tovuz in July 2020, tens of thousands of young people voluntarily registered at the offices and departments of the State Service for Mobilization and Military Service.
Shortly thereafter, during the Patriotic War, we witnessed how important the loyalty of youth to the state and homeland was. The significant increase in the number of young volunteers willing to take part in the Patriotic War and the partial mobilization declared by the Commander-in-Chief were a clear example of the youth's support for the Commander-in-Chief.
As a logical result of all these, the Azerbaijani youth particularly distinguished themselves in the brilliant victory over the enemy in the 44-day war.
The projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation under the leadership of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva aimed at revealing the talents and abilities of young people are a reliable guarantee of the future of the rising generation. The successful implementation of the policy related to this field in our country has created extensive opportunities for young people to apply their knowledge and skills in all spheres of life. All the necessary measures taken to solve the problems of the young generation and ensure their worthy participation in social life direct Azerbaijani youth towards a bright future.
Dear youth, happy holiday!
