On June 27, the opening ceremony of the 3rd Youth Camp titled “In the Footsteps of History: Our Memory is Our Future” was held in Quba with the joint organization of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Western Azerbaijan Community, Baku State University (BSU), the ASAN Volunteers Organization, and the “Regional Development” Public Union.

Participants of the camp first laid flowers at the statue of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and paid tribute to his memory with great respect.

The event began with the performance of the National Anthem and a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Azerbaijani lands.

The ceremony, held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Quba, was attended by Tariyel Ibrahimov, First Deputy Head of the Executive Power of Quba District; Ulviyya Akhundova, Deputy Head of the Youth Affairs Department at the Ministry of Youth and Sports; Ramil Hasan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Western Azerbaijan Community and Member of Parliament; Ramin Samedov, Head of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs and Youth Policy at BSU; Anar Musayev, Chairman of the ASAN Volunteers Organization; and Murad Gasimli, Head of the Public Relations and Communication Department of the “Regional Development” Public Union.

Speakers emphasized that the idea of return to Western Azerbaijan represents a national struggle for both the state and the people. They noted that the initiatives in this direction are being carried out systematically and purposefully based on the directives and recommendations of President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan, within the framework of peace, international law, and the principles of justice. It was also stated that the active involvement of youth in informing the international community about Azerbaijan’s fair and principled stance in this area holds great significance. The speakers expressed strong confidence that the intellectual potential and skills of the youth will be mobilized in the restoration of the fundamental rights of compatriots who were forcibly displaced from Western Azerbaijan.

It should be noted that within the youth camp, which will continue at the Quba Olympic Sports Complex until June 29, panel discussions on relevant topics, information sessions, intellectual games, and group work will be organized. In addition, a photo exhibition and film screening dedicated to the truths of Western Azerbaijan will be held.

The purpose of the project is to provide volunteers with broader information about current topics in modern Azerbaijani history and the truths about Western Azerbaijan, to organize their program-based activities, and to promote volunteer engagement in the organized dissemination of Azerbaijani realities both locally and internationally.

SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.