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Cooperation in cultural and educational fields
Education turns into on of the significant spheres of human activity in XXI century. Achievements in this field lay in the basis of important social and technological changes. The great attention paid to the education and its development in the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as in other countries depends on strategic importance of this sphere, the role of education in the society and interests of the major part of countries population.
The education reforms carrying out in our country since the acquiring independence have global nature and cover all its aspects. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan approved "The Reform Program in Education" which aims to identify strategic dimensions of reforms in education sphere.
Azerbaijan has to strengthen international relations and mutual cooperation to make progress in education sphere and to bring the education system of Azerbaijan in a line with international standards. As a result of activity of Azerbaijan in the international scene, our Republic joined conventions for European (Paris, 1979) Region and South-Eastern Asia (Bangkok, 1983), and also Lisbon Convention from 1997, which was prepared jointly with the Council of Europe and UNESCO. The Republic of Azerbaijan is a member of series of international instruments on educational issues, such as Convention on mutual recognition of diplomatic and scientific degrees.
Today the representatives of the education system of Azerbaijan participate in the activity of UNESCO, UNICEF, UNEVOK, ISESCO and European Educational Fund; also our Republic collaborates with the bodies on education issues of the international organizations, such as the Council of Europe and the European Union using their practice and assistance.
Generally, Azerbaijan participates in the following regional and international projects and programs:
- "Fraternized schools of USA and Commonwealth of Independent States" project. In the framework of this project 25 pupils and teachers from 5 schools were sent to USA to get education in American schools and the same number of American students and teachers visited Azerbaijan.
- "The development of vocational education" - joint project of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and European Educational Fund. The project aims to reconstruct vocational education in Azerbaijan.
- "The improvement of English teaching methods in educational establishments" - joint program of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Great Britain. In the framework of this Program Seminars on English teaching methods are held in Baky and other regions, Azerbaijan teachers participate in advanced training courses in Great Britain. The program also aims to render expert assistance in preparing English teaching programs and textbooks.
- "The legislation on providing the quality of high education in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia" - joint project with the Educational Department of the Council of Europe. The project aims to assist establishment of mechanisms on providing the quality of education.
- "Tbilisi initiative" with Council of Europe - joint regional project. This project considers the preparation of textbooks titled "The history of nations of Caucasus" for the 15-16 years old pupils.
- The joint regional project with the Council of Europe on topic "Education on democratic citizenship". The project aims to assist preparation of education programs, studies, textbooks and other materials on the theme of "Human and society", which comply with international standards by the Council of Europe.
- The joint project with the Council of Europe on "The policy of educational sphere of national minorities". The project aims to provide inputs in the sphere of education policy of national minorities.
- The international project of the European Union such as TEMPUS/ TACIS renders financial and technical assistance to high educational institutions. The financial and technical assistance to our high educational institutions in the framework of TEMPUS/ TASIS project till now worths 3,37 mln. Euro.
- The joint project between Montana State University and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the preparation of education programs, textbooks, high-level stuff in the area of basis of democracy in education system and in the training on citizenship.
- According to the Decrees of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on "Reforms in Education sphere" it was prepared "Reform Program" jointly with the Word Bank. For this reason Word Bank gave 5 million USD credit for implementation of this program. This project covers monitoring and assessment of education plan and programs, and providing reforms on education methods.
- In the light of cooperation with ACCELS, the non-governmental educational organization of the USA in 1999-2000 years 276 Azerbaijani young people were sent to the USA to get education in the framework of FSA/FLEX, FSA-Bachelor Degree, Edmund Maxi (2 years Master Degree Program), Intellectual Development of Youth and Study Exchange of Pupils and other programs. USA gave 27 million USD to the implement of this program.
- In the framework of cooperation with the USA IREX company, in 1996-2000 years more than 50 Azerbaijani citizens got education and raised the level of their skills.
- "Harmony Project" financed by the State Department of the USA covers 10 secondary education schools and considers the establishment of the Resource Center in these schools, supplying them with equipment and raising the level of skills of teachers.
- 44 schools were repaired and 4 new schools were opened in Xizi, Devechi and Salyan regions of Azerbaijan in the framework of cooperation program with Germany QTZ Company.
- DAAD- Germany Academic Exchange Service contributes into the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany. About 430 joint programs have been implemented since the establishing of cooperation on education between our countries. This program include in probation period, exchange of experience, germanistics and language courses, research conduction, education on Master Degree and other issues.
- In the framework of cooperation program with Japan Government, International Development Association gave a special grant to prepare education reform project in our country. This grant was spent on preparation of new reform program, identification of the education strategy for the next 10 years, segregation and realization of education priorities.
One of the main recent events in with sphere was the Conference of the Ministries of Education of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia in the framework of the Council of Europe project on "Providing the quality of education in Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia" held in Strasburg on May 17-18, 2004. The cooperation program between 3 South Caucuses countries and the Secretariat of the Counsel of Europe for 2005-2006 years was adopted during this conference.
Since Azerbaijan Republic has acquired independence there have been taken measures on protection of cultural values and development of cultural life in our country, also our country began cooperation with international organizations in this area. The Milli Meglis (the Legislative power of Azerbaijan Republic) has adopted series of legislative acts in cultural sphere till now:
- The Law on "Resumption of Latin alphabet" dated from December 25, 1991;
- The Law on Mass Media dated from July 21, 1992;
- The Law on Author's rights Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated from September 10, 1993;
- The Law on AZERKINOVIDEO" Production Unity dated from December 13, 1993;
- The Law on Author's rights and mixed rights dated from June 5, 1996;
- The Law on Advertisement dated from October 3, 1997;
- The Law on Culture dated from February 6, 1998;
- The Law on Protection of historical and cultural monuments dated from April 10, 1998;
- The Law on Grants dated from April 17, 1998;
- The Law on Freedom of information dated from June 19, 1998;
- The Law on Cinematography dated from June 3, 1998;
- The Law on Sculptural activity dated from July 3, 1998;
- The Law on Library dated from December 29, 1998;
- The Law on Tourism dated from July 4, 1999;
- The Law on Basis of City Foundation dated from June 11, 1999;
- The Law on National Archive Fund dated from June 22, 1999;
- The Law on Mass Media dated from February 8, 2000;
- The Law on Museums dated from March 24, 2000;
- The Law on Publishing, and etc.
It is necessary to note that the national legislative acts as well as international instruments are the legislative basis of cultural issues particularly issues pertinent to protection of historical and cultural monuments in Azerbaijan. The international instruments that Azerbaijan joined are following: Hague Convention on "Protection of Cultural Monuments during the armed conflicts" dated from 1954, Paris Convention on "The protection of the Word Cultural Heritage" dated from 1970, Paris Convention on "The prohibition of illegal bringing and carrying off the cultural values, also prohibition and prevention of law property" dated from 1970, Convention on "Steal and Illegally carrying off cultural values" dated from 1995.
In cultural sphere Azerbaijan cooperates with UNESCO (UN's specialized organization on Education, Science and Culture), ISESCO (Organization on Education, Science and Culture of the Islamic Conference) and the Council of Europe.
Azerbaijan participates in series of international cultural projects. Thus, Cultural Heritage Days-2003 Company of the Council of Europe was held in Azerbaijan on September 26-28, 2003. During the Cultural Heritage Days-2003 Company of the Council of Europe it was organized the unveiling of monuments, the reconstruction of which had been finished in the framework of international projects, also review of the monuments, the reconstruction of which hadn't been finished yet, the presentation of exhibition and catalogue on "Photoexpertise -2003" International Photo Initiative. In the framework of this project there had been given facultative lessons on "European Common Heritage" Program, Cultural Heritage Days-2003 Company, on the theme "The protection of the cultural heritage is my civic duty" in schools and universities.
Azerbaijan is taking part in other project on cultural issues of the Council of Europe known as "STAGE" ("Support for Transition in the Arts in Greater Europe"). The main principals of this project are following: supporting the cultural identity, cultural diversity, creativity and the participation of all groups of society in cultural life of the country. The Expert Group of the CE visited Baki in the framework of "STAGE" project on May 2001. During this visit experts noted the areas where the CE assistance was available and considered inputs of the representatives of civil society. In the framework of this project the seminar on "Financing the Culture in the period of transition" was held in Tbilisi on June 13-17, 2001. The delegation consisting of 6 people represent Azerbaijan Republic in this seminar.
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