NAM Youth Week

From 1 to 5 February, the NAM Youth Organization successfully hosted NAM Youth Week in Baku, Azerbaijan, in celebration of National Youth Day. The event brought together young leaders to strengthen their soft skills, leadership capacities, and civic engagement while providing a platform to embrace cultural, social, and professional development.

The program commenced with an official opening ceremony, featuring remarks by Ms. Nigar Arpadarai, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and UN High-Level Champion on Climate Change; Ms. Adila Aliyeva, Head of the Department of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s “Regional Development” Public Union; and Ms. Leyla Hasanova, Chairperson of NAM Youth Organization and Youth Climate Champion for COP29. The opening underscored NAMYO’s commitment to empowering youth as active contributors to sustainable and inclusive development.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in a series of capacity-building sessions covering leadership, communication, public speaking, climate action, urban planning, media literacy, and personal and professional development. Sessions were delivered by distinguished experts, including Ms. Aygun Hajiyeva, Ms. Javahir Muradova, Mr. Joshgun Karimov, Ms. Shafag Mehraliyeva, Dr. Anar Valiyev, Mr. Magsad Huseynov, Mr. Ramil Azizov, and Ms. Hajar Huseynova, among others. These trainings provided participants with practical knowledge, critical thinking tools, and opportunities to enhance confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.

Complementing the educational component, attendees participated in interactive icebreakers, networking sessions, intellectual games, and cultural experiences, including a tour of the Heydar Aliyev Center, allowing them to explore Azerbaijan’s history, heritage, and innovation.

The week concluded with the awarding of certificates and prizes during the closing ceremony, featuring remarks by Ms. Asmar Yusifzada, Head of Division at the International Security Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. NAM Youth Week successfully fostered collaboration, knowledge exchange, and empowerment among youth, reinforcing NAMYO’s mission to support young leaders as active agents of change.