Today, the 2nd International Conference on Social Work & Social Research, organized and hosted by Azerbaijan University, commenced in Baku. Dedicated to the Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty, the Conference is held jointly with the Center for Social Research, Firat University (Turkiye), and Recep Tayyip Erdogan University (Turkiye). Its purpose is to discuss pressing issues in social work education and social policy and to exchange experiences in developing and applying modern technologies aimed at improving the social and psychological wellbeing of various population groups.

Prior to the event, Conference participants visited the grave of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev at the Alley of Honor to pay tribute and laid a wreath at his monument.

The Conference began with the National Anthem and a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs who gave their lives defending the territorial integrity, independence, and constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Opening the two-day international event, rector of Azerbaijan University, Dr. Saadat Aliyeva, PhD in Philology, noted that the social development strategy developed by National Leader Heydar Aliyev is being successfully continued and advanced by President Ilham Aliyev, with First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva making significant contributions through her multifaceted activities.

The rector emphasized the responsibility of higher education institutions to train professional personnel in this field. She noted that since 2009, Azerbaijan University has been training specialists in social work. Highlighting the successes and goals of the University in this area, Dr. Aliyeva stated that the University not only focuses on professional training but also conducts scientific research on various issues in social work. The first International Conference on Social Work & Social Research was held in 2023, and its resolutions have been implemented.

She emphasized that interest in this year’s conference, dedicated to a highly specialized topic, was considerable, with speaker applications received from 21 countries and approximately 100 papers accepted. Saadat Aliyeva expressed confidence that the Conference would be effective and productive, and that the two days of discussions would make a significant contribution to the development of science and education.

Following the opening remarks, speeches were delivered by Musa Guliyev, Chair of the Milli Majlis Committee on Labor and Social Policy; Zahid Oruj, Chairman of the Board of the Center for Social Research and MP; Sadagat Gahramanova, Deputy Chair of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs; Turkhan Suleyman, head of the Department for Science and Higher Education Policy at the Ministry of Science and Education; Tural Akhmedov, Chair of the Quality Assurance Agency; Vugar Aghayev, head of the Probation Service at the Ministry of Justice; and prof. Stefan Cojocaru of Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (Romania) noting that the topic of the Conference was not chosen by chance, and emphasized the relevance and importance of the topics to be discussed.

The plenary session that followed included presentations by prof. Yasuhiro Kotera from the University of Nottingham (UK) on “Feeling well across cultures: CROss-cultural WellNess” and prof. Stefan Cojocaru from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (Romania) on “Appreciative approach in social work”.

Throughout the day, the Conference continued with parallel section sessions.

The 2nd International Conference on Social Work & Social Research will conclude tomorrow, while on Sunday, international participants will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Baku’s historic center and the Gobustan region.

Public Relations Department