A special project created with the support of the Jewish news portal · We sincerely love Azerbaijan — our Homeland, its people, culture, history and unique diversity.
Multiculturalism
RUAZENHE

A declared programme

Policy and institutions

What the state does — and declares — in the field of intercultural dialogue. Presented factually, without superlatives.

Policy

This section describes the declared state policy. The strengths of the Azerbaijani model — historical coexistence, the absence of antisemitism, living Christian and Jewish communities — are documented independently of state rhetoric. The term "multiculturalism" itself, since 2014–2016, is also an element of state branding and "soft power."

of peoples and ethnic groups

Policy

Institutions and initiatives

The Multiculturalism Centre (2014)

The Baku International Multiculturalism Centre (BIMC) was established by presidential decree on 15 May 2014. It conducts research and teaches "Azerbaijani multiculturalism" at dozens of universities at home and abroad.

The Year of Multiculturalism (2016)

Declared by presidential order of 11 January 2016; it was accompanied by conferences, publications and educational programmes. 2017 was declared the Year of Islamic Solidarity.

The Baku Process (2008)

An international initiative for intercultural dialogue, launched in 2008 at the level of the culture ministers of the Council of Europe and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Forums and summits

The World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue has been held in Baku since 2011 under the auspices of UNESCO and the UN Alliance of Civilizations; summits of world religious leaders are also held.

Policy

Constitutional guarantees

The Constitution of Azerbaijan (adopted by referendum on 12 November 1995) proclaims the equality of citizens regardless of race, nationality, religion and language, as well as freedom of religion and the secular character of the state. Religious activity is regulated by the law "On Freedom of Religious Belief"; human rights organisations have noted certain restrictions — it is correct to take these assessments into account as well.

Policy

An honest framing

A correct way to present the topic: to show the real diversity and history as fact, and the state policy as a declared programme, with reference to its stated goals and without evaluative superlatives. This is exactly how we have tried to tell this story.

Assessments of programme reach and current human rights assessments should be cross-checked against primary sources.