BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 27. More than 300
youth nongovernmental organizations are operating in Azerbaijan,
the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Farhad Hajiyev, said
during the discussion “Intercultural Leadership for a Shared
Future,” held on Tuesday as part of the World Forum on
Intercultural Dialogue, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.


The deputy minister noted that the country has approximately 2
million schoolchildren and 200,000 university students. According
to him, they represent Azerbaijan’s future leadership potential and
human capital.


Hajiyev noted that, although the modern world has become more
interconnected, the expansion of these ties does not always lead to
greater mutual understanding.


“Despite the opportunities offered by globalization and
technology, we are witnessing a rise in polarization, mistrust, and
disunity within societies. Under such conditions, intercultural
leadership ceases to be merely a desirable quality and becomes a
vital responsibility,” he emphasized.


According to the deputy minister, true leadership does not lie
in bringing everyone to a single position, but in uniting diverse
perspectives around a common goal. An effective leader must be able
to listen to others before making decisions, respect differences
without compromising their principles, and build trust even in the
face of disagreement.







Hajiyev said that intercultural dialogue has long been an
important national value and a strategic priority for Azerbaijan.
The Baku Process, initiated by President Ilham Aliyev in 2008, is a
testament to the country’s commitment to promoting mutual
understanding, cultural diversity, and cooperation among
civilizations.


He noted that investing in the leadership potential of young
people is one of the most important investments a country can make
in its future. At the same time, leadership cannot be developed
solely based on theoretical knowledge. It requires experience,
responsibility, mentorship, and opportunities to collaborate with
people who think differently.


The Deputy Minister welcomed UNESCO’s “Youth for Peace” program
on intercultural leadership. According to him, the program brings
together 50 young leaders selected from more than 8,000
applications from around the world.


“Developing leadership qualities is not only about preparing
people for high-level positions, but also about preparing them to
bring about positive change,” Hajiyev added.