CONCEPT

AZERBAIJAN-PAKISTAN YOUTH FORUM

INVOLVING YOUTH OF AZERBAIJAN & PAKISTAN FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CONFLICTS OF
SOUTH CAUCASUS (NAGORNO-KARABAKH) and SOUTH ASIA (KASHMIR)

A PROJECT OF INSTUTE OF PEACE AND DIPLOMACY (IPD)

Introduction:
The simmering conflict between two South Caucasian Nations of Azerbaijan and Armenia over the
disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh has a closer resemblance to the Kashmir conflict. Pakistan
and people of Pakistan can well understand and feel the pain of Azerbaijani people and sufferings of
people of Nagorno-Karabakh because we are facing the bloodshed in Kashmir since the time of our
inception in 1947. Kashmir conflict has remained an unresolved legacy by British imperial rule and
this dispute remained in lurch and it has continuously remained an issue of discord between India
and Pakistan. It has now internationally recongnised that there are three parties to this dispute, India,
Pakistan and Kashmiris. Both conflicts although thousand miles apart but are almost replica of each
other for the reasons of sharing their similarities of various magnitudes.
As Azerbaijan-Pakistan relationship completes 20 years of cooperation, creation of AzerbaijanPakistan Youth Forum is being proposed with intent to create a bridge between Azerbaijan and
Pakistani nation to come closer together through dialogue and understanding. This initiative is
intended to work beyond diplomatic ties by creating and enhancing youth to youth contact as first
step towards exploring the possibilities of working for joint progressive efforts. As formal
diplomatic ties already exists but the deep rooted people to people contact is missing which is need
of the day to build as both nations have common culture, history and religion to share.
Rationale:
Youth constitutes more than 50% of population of both Azerbaijan and Pakistan, thus working with
this section of forum, motivating and creating awareness amongst them can effectively strengthen
understanding and goodwill efforts between two nations. Young people are considered as a powerful
force in precipitating change in forum. Unfortunately, at present youth of both the countries are
unaware of each other's history, traditions, values, norms, available opportunities of cooperation and
conflicts like

Kashmir and Nagorno-Karabakh therefore creating a rationale for initiating "

Azerbaijan-Pakistan Youth

Forum" in different academic institutes of both states for raising

awareness and general understanding of mentioned issues. Hence creating this awareness and joint
collaborative initiative with Youth of both countries is the motivation behind reaching out to each
other beyond borders.
Objectives:
To enhance the knowledge of youth of both Azerbaijan and Pakistan about both conflicts, the idea of
Azerbaijan-Pakistan Youth Forum is being forwarded that aims to:

To establish youth forums in 10 Universities (5 from each country) of both countries initially
to develop linkages based on mutual cooperation in the field of research and education that
will build faculty and students contact through office bearers and other members of the
Youth Forum.

Multiple activities like roundtables, seminars, workshops, sports and cultural activities will
be organized at the member universities of Azerbaijan and Pakistan.

E-lectures will be arranged on multiple topics along with conducting online consultative
sessions and facilities of E-Library for reading books will worked out in order to provide
researchers, faculty, counselors, and policy makers with the latest available research.

Furthermore, Youth Exchange Programs and Youth Fellowships will be provided to bright,
young and talented students and professionals of both the states.

Summer and winter youth camps will be organized every year comprising of multiple
training sessions.

Exchange Internship Scheme will provide a broad work experience placements in the private,
public and voluntary sectors of both countries. Interns will receive a scholarship or a stipend
covering the cost of living and working. The scheme will also give students a real
opportunity to gain valuable experience to bridge the gap between study and the beginning of
their working lives.

Working Strategy of Azerbaijan-Pakistan Youth Forum:

Youth Forum is the name of a whole that will comprise of parts called Youth Clubs. The youth
Forum will be headed by President and Secretary General; former from Pakistan and the later from
Azerbaijan. There will be one youth forum established at each University that will be headed by
Ambassador who will be looking after the activities of the Forum in his /her respective university
and a coordinator.

The proposed Universities from both states are as under:

Azerbaijan:

1. Baku State University

2. Qafqaz University
3. Baku Slavic University
4. Khazar University.
5. The Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Pakistan:

1. Quaid-I-Azam University,
2. Preston University ,Islamabad,
3. University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
4. University of Gujrat
5. Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi,
These members will be coordinating and contacting each other throughout along with conducting
interactive sessions and meetings to chart out areas from where the work can be started and how it
can be implemented. The agreed upon suggestions will then be forwarded by Ambassador of Youth
Forum to respective Embassies for further consideration and follow up.