Looking back on the path of the Azerbaijan Social Work Public Union (AZSWPU) in 2017 and beyond, we welcome you to explore the following details. This retrospective offers a glimpse into our dedicated efforts, remarkable achievements, and impactful contributions to the field of social work during this timeframe. From pivotal events and fruitful collaborations to pioneering initiatives that have shaped our core mission, the insights provided here encapsulate the essence of AZSWPU’s endeavours. We invite you to join us in reflecting on and celebrating the significant milestones that have underscored our growth and unwavering commitment to advancing social work practices. Journey with us as we uncover the captivating story of AZSWPU in 2017 and beyond.
Deputy Head Gulnara Panahova of the Azerbaijan Social Work Public Union joined a public discussion on “Advancing Human Rights Legislation through the UN Convention on Persons with Disabilities.” Held on August 29, 2017, by the Public Council under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, the focus was on improving accessibility to services for individuals with disabilities through the involvement of social workers. Panahova presented the Union’s proposals to integrate professional social workers into both governmental and non-governmental organisations providing social services. The discussion included Deputy Minister of Social Security Natig Mammadov and NGOs specialising in legal protection and social services for persons with disabilities.
The Executive Team of AZSIIB participated in an International Conference in Iran focusing on the role of social work. Social work in Iran, established in 1958, is vital in Tehran’s social and medical spheres. The “60 Years of Social Work” conference on December 18-19, 2017, had representatives from 15 countries like Canada, Switzerland, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and others. Lamiya Rzayeva, AZSIIB’s Executive Director, presented “Social Work Education in Azerbaijan: Achievements and Shortcomings.” Dr. Rory Truel, Secretary General of the International Federation of Social Workers, also attended. The conference included a visit to Tehran’s social service centers, highlighting their 60 years of progress. These centers, with ambulances and hotlines for domestic violence, provide immediate help, with two social workers and two psychologists responding to calls.
The Executive Director of AZSIIB and a member of the Union’s Management Board participated in the Azerbaijan-European Union Business Forum in Baku on June 8. The event brought together officials, international organisations, embassies, and chambers of commerce, along with 300 Azerbaijani businessmen and over 100 from EU countries. Hosted by the Ministry of Economy, AZPROMO, and the German-Azerbaijan Chamber of Foreign Trade, the forum aimed to discuss Azerbaijan’s business environment, reforms, and opportunities for cooperation with EU businessmen.
Panel sessions covered diverse sectors such as agriculture, food, transport, logistics, ICT, e-commerce, economic reforms, and environmental technologies. Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev, Director Lawrence Meredith from the European Commission, and Head Malena Mard from the EU Representation in Azerbaijan delivered welcoming speeches. Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis and Communication of Economic Reforms, gave the opening speech. Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Babayev, Deputy Chairman Sahib Bagirov from the State Customs Committee, and other officials also spoke at the event, emphasising the potential for enhanced business ties between Azerbaijan and the European Union.
AZSIIB participated in the Annual Meeting and Conference of the European Continent of the International Federation of Social Workers in Reykjavík, Iceland, from May 25-28, 2017. The European Continent, known as Avopa, has 38 member countries, including Azerbaijan through AZSIB since 2013. The meeting, hosted by the Icelandic Association of Social Workers, featured discussions on social work and development in Europe. Ana Lima-Fernandez, President of the European Continent, opened the meeting. AZSIB, represented by its chairman Aytekin Huseynli, discussed Azerbaijan’s social work issues and proposed collaboration with other countries. The conference in Reykjavík gathered 600 participants and AZSIB highlighted efforts to professionalize social work in Azerbaijan at the panel for post-Soviet countries.
The Executive Director of AZSIIB presented at the Paris Conference on “Social Work Education in Europe: Challenges and Obstacles” organised by the European Association of Social Work Schools and the National Association for Social Work Education and Research in France, with UNESCO’s support. The conference took place from June 27-29, 2017, with over 300 delegates from 40+ countries and representatives from 100 Schools of Social Work attending. Renowned specialists and professors shared their expertise in plenary and parallel sessions covering topics like perspectives in social work education, curriculum development, ethics, and structural aspects of the profession. AZSIIB’s Executive Director, Lamiya Rzayeva, presented on “Social Work Education in the South Caucasus: The Case of Azerbaijan” during the conference.
World Social Work Day was celebrated in Azerbaijan on March 16, 2017, at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, organized by the Azerbaijan Social Work Union (AZSIIB). The event focused on the theme “What is social work and who is a social worker?” A public survey was presented, and success stories from social work graduates were shared. Graduates from Azerbaijan, USA, and Europe, including Sanuber Heydarova, Lamiya Rzayeva, Aytekin Huseynli, Aysel Gasimova, Aytan Shirinova, Rana Huseynova, and Aysel Sultan, shared their experiences through video messages and offered advice to current social work students.
Speakers at the event included Herbert Paulishin, Executive Director of the Austrian Federation of Social Workers, Bahar Hajizadeh, Coordinator of the “Development of Social Services in Azerbaijan” project (jointly by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population and the European Union), and the Director of the Baku Education Information Center. They discussed their views on social work education. Khanbala Ahmadli, PR Coordinator of AZSIIB, concluded the event by presenting the Union’s Newsletter.
Professor Dr. Letizia Villareal-Sosa from the Dominican University of the USA participated in social work classes in Baku, Azerbaijan through the Fulbright Program, supported by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. The Azerbaijan Social Work Public Union and US Visit backed this initiative, with three planned visits by Prof. Letizia. She trained employees from various centers, NGOs, and universities in Baku and regions, including the Azerbaijan State Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Problems and the Goygol Child and Family Support Center of AQUPDK.
During her first visit from November 22 to December 3, 2016, Prof. Letizia lectured on “Creation of Social Services and Programs” and “Research Methods of Social Work” for students at Azerbaijan University of Culture and Arts, Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, and other universities. She also conducted a 4-day training on topics such as evidence-based research, substance abuse, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and human trafficking at the Shuvalan Center.
During her final visit from April 22 to May 3, 2017, Prof. Letizia focused on “Ethical Principles of Social Work” at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. She also trained on “Combating Intimate Partner Violence” at the Children and Families Support Center in Goygol. These visits were significant for social work students, providing practical experiences in applying social work in Azerbaijan and contributing to cooperation between the Azerbaijan Social Work Community Union, local NGOs, universities, and state structures.
The Azerbaijan Social Work Public Union and the University of Chicago have completed trainings on the “Families Together” Intervention Program. This program, originating from the University of Chicago in the USA, aims to support children and families transitioning from children’s institutions. Azerbaijani and American social workers are adapting the program for use in Azerbaijan.
The “Whole Family” program, part of “Families Together,” focuses on strengthening the parent/guardian-child relationship post-institution, increasing community ties, enhancing parental involvement in education, and improving the family’s economic and social standing. The 4-day training was led by Molly Koling and Franklin Casey-Gay from the University of Chicago’s Youth Center Against Violence, providing a step-by-step understanding of the intervention program’s implementation process.
President of SIMBA Annamaria Kampani, Executive Director Lamiya Rzayeva, and Project Head Khanbala Ahmadli met with Baku State University (BSU) representatives to discuss BSU’s potential membership in SIMBA and bilateral cooperation. Another meeting with Azerbaijan University (AU) officials focused on aligning national social work education standards with international ones and potential AU membership in the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW). IASSW, founded in 1928, aims to promote global social work education standards and create an association for social work educators and practitioners worldwide.
The Executive Director of AZSIIB participated in the “A20 Global Child Protection Summit” in Beijing, organised by China’s Children’s Legal Support and Research Center with support from Alibaba Group. This summit gathered 21 countries and about 40 civil society organisations, international, and state institutions from Africa, Asia, and Europe to strengthen global cooperation in child protection. Discussions focused on challenges such as eliminating violence against children and combating child sexual abuse. Azerbaijan was represented by Lamiya Rzayeva, who shared insights on Azerbaijan’s child protection efforts. The summit aims to create an international platform for enhancing child protection globally.
On December 8, Prof. Michael Sherraden from the University of Washington, USA, and the Chairman of AZSIIB met with Prof. Hijran Huseynova, Chairman of the State Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Problems of Azerbaijan, to discuss Children’s Savings Accounts strategy.
Honorary Professor of the University of Washington, USA, Dr. Michael Sherraden, and the Chairman of AZSIIB, Mr. Salim Muslimov, met with Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan, Salim Muslimov, and ministry staff. Discussions centered on the potential implementation of Children’s Savings Accounts strategy in Azerbaijan.
On December 7, 2017, Professor Michael Sherraden from the University of Washington, USA, and Chairman of AZSIIB, Aytekin Huseynli, met with Mr. Hadi Rajabli, Chairman of the Social Policy Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament. The meeting focused on discussions regarding the potential implementation of the Children’s Savings Accounts strategy in Azerbaijan.
From December 6-10, 2017, at the invitation of ADA University, Honorary Professor Michael Sherraden from Washington University, USA, visited Azerbaijan. Prof. Sherraden is the Director of the Center for Social Development at the University of Washington and the architect of the “Children’s Savings Accounts” strategy implemented in various countries. On December 6, Prof. Sherraden met with ADA University Rector and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Mr. Hafiz Pashayev. Aytekin Huseynli, Chairman of AZSIIB and a doctoral student at Washington University, USA, also attended the meeting. Discussions were centered on the potential implementation of the “Children’s Savings Accounts” strategy in Azerbaijan.
AZSIIB’s Executive Director, Lamiya Rzayeva, participated in a regional civil society forum organised by IFA and Iris Group in Tbilisi from November 3-5, 2018. The event brought together over 20 organisations from the South Caucasus, along with Germany’s Goethe Institute and IFA (Institute of International Relations).
Azerbaijan Social Work Public Union 