Meeting of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, with Azerbaijani Students Studying in Russia

On December 7, at the International Trade Center in Moscow, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Chairperson of the Russian Azerbaijani Youth Organization (RAYO), met with Azerbaijani first-year university students studying in Russia. More than 500 students from Moscow and various regions of Russia attended the meeting.

At the beginning, a video about RAYO’s activities and events was shown.

Leyla Aliyeva congratulated the students on their admission to universities and shared information about the work carried out by the organization over the past four years. She said: “Today, it can be confidently said that during this period, we have achieved great successes and high results.” She noted that RAYO now has regional branches in 60 regions of Russia, which actively operate and continually increase in membership. Leyla Aliyeva emphasized: “RAYO strives both to unite Azerbaijani youth and to help them integrate into Russian society, so they feel comfortable far from their homeland. It is very important for each of you to understand that you can do much to promote Azerbaijan’s rich culture, history, and traditions, and to feel responsible for representing your country with dignity in Russia.”

The youth movement leader also noted that in June 2011, RAYO held its third conference in St. Petersburg, discussing the organization’s future plans, initiatives, and projects.

Leyla Aliyeva spoke about one of RAYO’s major initiatives carried out in cooperation with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation – the international campaign “Justice for Khojaly,” aimed at informing the world about the tragedy of February 1992, which claimed the lives of peaceful civilians. She said: “RAYO also pays great attention to healthcare and promoting a healthy lifestyle. You are likely familiar with our voluntary blood donation drives under the motto ‘Blood has no nationality’ and the ‘Ensure Your Health, Say No to Disease’ campaigns. These initiatives allow patients to receive free examinations and treatments. We have also launched campaigns against HIV/AIDS, drug addiction, alcoholism, and smoking. Our volunteers visit various universities and schools, give lectures and presentations, and help young people understand the negative consequences of harmful habits and lead a healthy lifestyle. Of course, RAYO supports all youth initiatives related to sports. Every year, a mini-football tournament for the Heydar Aliyev Cup is held, and the increasing number of participants makes us happy. We also support intellectual games such as the ‘Fun and Ready Club’ and ‘What? Where? When?’ If anyone has not yet participated in these games, we invite you to join us; we will be very glad.”

Leyla Aliyeva spoke about the new campaign IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Protection), launched in October this year. She noted that the campaign aims to draw public attention to existing environmental problems, protect nature and animals, and plant trees. She emphasized: “The main point of this campaign is that we try to approach every action creatively. Therefore, youth participation in this campaign is essential. Our slogan is ‘One Earth – One Future.’ I invite all of you to join this campaign. Together, we will do everything possible to save our planet.”

Leyla Aliyeva also talked about RAYO’s published magazine, which covers Azerbaijan’s ancient history, rich culture, folk traditions, prominent poets, writers, and composers, and addresses various issues of interest to young people. She noted that the third issue of the magazine has already been published. RAYO’s website is actively maintained, allowing young people to communicate, get to know each other, and access necessary information.

The Chairperson stated that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation recently opened the Azerbaijani Cultural Center at the Foreign Literature Library in Moscow, where lessons in the Azerbaijani language, history, and literature, as well as various events, will be held. Leyla Aliyeva said: “We will be happy to see not only Azerbaijanis but everyone interested in our country, traditions, and culture. The day before yesterday, we visited the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Moscow State University, where an event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s restored independence took place. I was amazed by the students’ knowledge of the Azerbaijani language. It was truly a great gift.”

Finally, Leyla Aliyeva emphasized that RAYO has achieved good results and successes, which are a service to youth in general. She called on young people to engage in constructive and creative activities, saying: “Honestly, when RAYO was founded, I did not know that our youth would be so active and so devoted to their country. Almost every week, initiatives are proposed to hold events at various universities – Azerbaijani Culture Days, seminars, celebrations. This makes all of us happy and inspired.” Leyla Aliyeva promised, on behalf of RAYO, that everything possible will be done to help and support students.

She also noted that in 2009, RAYO established an excellence award, and a year later, a scholarship for students from low-income families. She said: “This year, we will increase the number of scholarship recipients. I hope the number of excellent students will also increase.”

Polad Bulbuloglu, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, noted that Leyla Aliyeva has been meeting with first-year students for the third consecutive year, and this has become a good tradition. He thanked her for the large and charitable work carried out by RAYO, emphasizing that since the organization’s creation, much has changed, and Azerbaijani youth have united around its leader, Leyla Aliyeva. The ambassador called on students to study well and be worthy of their homeland.

Yefim Pivovar, Rector of the Russian State University for the Humanities and Chairperson of the Russia-Azerbaijan Friendship Society, said that Azerbaijani students studying in Russia play an important role in strengthening dynamically developing bilateral relations between the two countries, including cooperation in education. He noted that Russia is always ready to receive Azerbaijani youth seeking a good education and support them with care.

Vagif Bayramov, Rector of the Moscow Social-Humanitarian Institute, thanked Leyla Aliyeva for her consistent attention to this university, which educates students with physical disabilities. He specifically noted that the creation of RAYO has closely united Azerbaijani youth.

Nemat Nagdaliyev, Deputy Secretary General of the All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress (ARAC), spoke about ARAC’s youth policy and encouraged youth to take a more active part in the Congress’s life. He emphasized that the foundation of ARAC’s creation and the policy of Azerbaijani students studying abroad was laid by the national leader Heydar Aliyev, and President Ilham Aliyev continues this policy supporting compatriots. He said: “The Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Vice-President Leyla Aliyeva personally make very important contributions to this work.”

Representatives of the students expressed their gratitude to Leyla Aliyeva for supporting Azerbaijani youth in Russia. They noted that they are always happy to participate in all RAYO events and help expand the organization’s ranks.

After the official part of the event, Leyla Aliyeva presented 34 students with “RAYO Excellence” certificates and awards.