Gabala hosting No Hate Speech’s forum

By Nigar Orujova

An international forum of the No Hate Speech youth movement kicked off in Gabala on October 2.

During the three-day forum, the participants are discussing ways to fight online racism and discrimination. They also talk about the role of young people on Internet governance processes.

The event is organized by the National Assembly of Youth Organizations of Azerbaijan (NAYORA) and the Council of Europe Youth Department within the framework of Azerbaijan's Chairmanship at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Stressing the importance of holding such events in Azerbaijan, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Intigam Babayev said that about 250 participants from 47 European countries are attending the forum.

"Moreover, planning is underway to invite other countries not directly related to Europe like Tajikistan and Mexico," he added.

Babayev expressed hope that the discussions being held during the forum will have a positive impact on resolving the problems of hatred based on religious, ethnic, racial and other grounds.

Addressing journalists, he said delegates from Armenia have also received an invitation to participate in this forum.

"As the chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan cannot impose any restrictions on any country on religious, ethnic or some other basis. Armenia's representatives have also been invited to this forum, and they are expected to participate in the panel discussions," he said.

No Hate Speech movement is organized to reduce the levels of acceptance of hate speech and to develop online youth participation and citizenship, including in Internet governance processes. Azerbaijan joined the campaign in April 2013.

Speaking at the event, Head of the Sector for Work with Youth Organizations within the Presidential Administration's Socio-political Department Vusal Guliyev, said Youth Foundation under Azerbaijan's president supports various ideas of the youth as part of the campaign "No Hate Speech".

This indicates that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to holding various international youth campaigns at a high level in the country.

"More than 300 youth organizations are operating in Azerbaijan, about 50 of them are actively involved in various international events, initiatives and collaboration with various international campaigns," Guliyev said.

He also noted the important role of the National Council of Youth Organizations in conducting and organizing such large and important events in Gabala.

"After Azerbaijan gained independence, the leadership of the country attached great importance to the establishment and development of youth policy and legislative framework and improvement of the structures in this area," he added.

No Hate Speech will bring together young people of countries in conflict with each other, the curator of the project, Head of the Department of Educational and Training Programs of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe Rui Gomes said to journalists.

"Gabala is an ideal venue for such events. This is an ancient city, where eastern and western civilizations meet, and it has a lovely atmosphere," he said.

"Our goal was to gather active European youth in this region, which aims to fight against hatred online and in real life," he added.

The forum will end with adoption of Gabala Declaration, Head of NAYORA Shahin Seyidzade said.

"The declaration will reflect decisions on the results of the campaign over the past two years, as well as plans and goals for future cooperation. Thus, Gabala forum will be a historic one," he said.

He noted that this is one of the largest youth events in Europe, and holding it in Azerbaijan is a very important fact in the integration of Azerbaijani youth in the European family.

//AzerNews/