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Nemat Nagdaliyev, Acting Director of the executive office of RAC
Summing up the results of the past year,
we can to say that this period for the Congress was successful, rich
and even can be called a watershed in the reconsideration of the goals and challenges
facing our Congress and the Diaspora in a rapidly changing world.
The main purpose of the Congress in this period was the formation of a strong, viable community in Russia,
strengthening its role and socio-political significance in Russian society,
and the preservation of national traditions and culture.
RAC today is one of well-known public organizations of Russia,
which has been recognized as the main organization representing the interests of the Azerbaijani diaspora
in all spheres of activity.
Created at the initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev,
our organization consistently followed the idea of the unification of Azerbaijanis
and protecting their interests as well as strengthening the friendly relations between our countries.
In this respect, it is difficult to overestimate the political importance of the fact that,
after the Congress faced the task of ensuring the participation of our citizens and our compatriots
in the two most important political events in the history of Russia - elections to the State Duma and presidential elections.
Congress declared its full support for the election of "United Russia" and Vladimir Putin.
It worked closely with the regions, with the election headquarters in the center and in the field.
In the regions and in Moscow headquarters were established
through which we exchanged information on the election.
Our local representatives have participated in various activities in support of the party "United Russia" and Vladimir Putin.
Round table discussions, conferences, and meetings with voters, concert programs.
I think we coped well with the task of involving our compatriots in these very important processes in the history of Russia.
Azerbaijani voters said their weighty word in support of the existing course in Russia.
Last year, Congress has organized a series of events dedicated to the various important dates, both cheerful and tragic,
that must live in the memory of our people, no matter where we are.
First, the regional offices organized commemoration meetings and round tables on "Black January".
The innocent victims of this national tragedy were commemorated.
Khojaly tragedy was remembered in the memory evenings in many regions of Russia,
while in Moscow, we held a large-scale memorial evening, which was organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
On the day of genocide of Azerbaijanis, March 31, there was a round table "Genocide of Azerbaijanis: 200 years of history."
A special place in our activity is occupied by May 10 - the birthday of national leader Heydar Aliyev.
In the past year, specifically for this date Congress has established an award named after Heydar Aliyev,
which is awarded annually to prominent public and political figures, scientists and artists of Russia,
who contributed to the development of friendly and neighborly relations between Russia and Azerbaijan.
In continuation of this theme in the History Department of Moscow State University there was a conference "Russia is part of my soul",
dedicated to the birthday of Heydar Aliyev.
On 12 December last year in conjunction with the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Russia and with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation,
there was a conference dedicated to the memory of the national leader,
which was attended by prominent representatives of the Azerbaijani and Russian public.
Special place is taken by Novruz Bayram. This holiday was celebrated all across the country.
Our people celebrated it in almost all parts of Russia.
Festivities, holiday parties were organized by the regional offices of Congress.
On March 17 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, with the support of the Government
we held a city festival together with the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Russia.
On March 23, Congress organized a large-scale celebration of Novruz Bayram for our diaspora,
for our compatriots, for ethnic, cultural, social and scientific circles.
On June 14 in Moscow at the World Trade Center we organized scientific conference "Russia and Azerbaijan: Toward renaissance"
on the Day of National Salvation of Azerbaijan and the Day Russia.
The work of RAC is also concentrated on the young people.
A large part of the work focuses on education of the Azerbaijanis living in Russia.
In 2004 we started holding the entrance exams and presenting the candidates to the Ministry of Education.
Today, it can be noted that this project was successull.
If at the beginning of our work the exams involved 20-30 students,
in recent years, this number has increased to 100-150.
As a result, over the past 4 years the universities have received more than 200 students.
Our organization pays great attention to charity projects.
This practice has spread and become a part of our business.
Many Congress offices in the regions hold charity events, helping orphanages, homes for the elderly, young talents, etc.
Three years ago Heydar Aliyev Foundation started a nationwide project congratulating orphans for the New Year.
We joined the project two years ago, took part in it and plan to continue this tradition.
Special attention was paid to collect humanitarian aid for the victims of flood in Krasnodar region,
organized by the Government of Moscow in the Moscow House of Nationalities.
Our participation was appreciated by the Government of Moscow.
It may be recalled that the propaganda of Azerbaijani history, culture, literature abroad is also the focus of our organization,
and in this area there have been many events.
I would especially like to note that this year,
for the first time in the history of the Diaspora in Russia,
we had agreed with the City of Moscow to rally in support of the national policy of Russian President Putin
against inciting ethnic hatred in Russia,
which was attended by over 300 of our fellow citizens and representatives of the Azerbaijani and Russian media.
Mamed Aliyev, President of RAC
As for the simplification of visting Azerbaijnan for Russian citizens of Azerbaijani origin
traveling on business trips, on vacation in Azerbaijan ...
On this issue, I would like to announce that a bill has been prepared,
which would allow them to stay in Azerbaijan for 90 days without registration.
Also RAC appeal to the leadership of Azerbaijan to grant certain groups of the population -
I mean the poor people - preferential tickets during the holidays and summer vacations,
i.e., charter flights for disadvantaged citizens to simplify the process of communication with the historical homeland
of the Diaspora. It is close to implementation.
Aida Kuliyeva, director of the Moscow school No. 157 with Azerbaijani ethno-cultural component.
As a teacher I would like to pay attention to the education law discussed now.
On September 1, it will be put in action.
The education law states clearly that everything about school related to the study of ethnic language and culture, is not forbidden.
This is stated by the President of Russia, and of course, we must take advantage of this.
Unfortunately, the school network is not expanding, the possibilities are narrowed
and yet we all know that the foundation of any diaspora is in its children. This is the foundation.
If the community has no foundation then the house would collapse, so we need to strengthen it.
Need to strengthen means not only the one-time actions, it means assisting teaching staff, expanding the network of Sunday schools.
People should not lose their roots. Roots are in culture and tradition.
Culture is not only about dances and performances that are called cultural event.
The most important cultural event is education.
It is the acquisition of knowledge and spiritual principles, the ability not to lose their traditions.
I've been doing this for 20 years and am ready to assist in the opening of Sunday schools.
There are ready-made works in the field, there is no need to rediscover America.
Another question is the question of migrants.
We are now the first in Moscow and in Russia to conclude a contract with Russian Universisty of the Friendship of People (RUDN) and "Ethnosphera" -
I say it so you know what can be done to close the gaps in migration space,
i.e. problems with Russian language and unemployment because no one would take you without a certificate of the Russian language.
We have a contract with a single organization that is authorized to issue certificates,
we are the successors and now conduct classes for adults.
For children, we organize classes for six years, this is a government program, there are only 13 schools,
we teach children the Russian language and give them the right to study in any Moscow and Russian school.
Thus we can help the regions.
Today I was approached by people from Ryazan and Surgut, and I will help them sign a contract with "Ethnosphera."
We should try to prevent people from buying fake certificates,
and help them receive regular ones, which can be obtained in only two institutions - "Ethnosphera" and RUDN.
We signed a contract with them. This is also a great deal of work that RAC can take on.
I am willing to share their experience.
On February 1, we began our classes for adults.
Without knowledge of the Russian language, without integration into the society we will always be criticized.
This issue should definitely be addressed.
The third question, one of the most important it is our woman in the society.
Who will raise our children? A woman.
A woman who does not know Russian, who often does not go out because she does not know how to go out,
she is afraid of being stopped, she does not have permission to work becuase she does not know the language.
If RAC pays attention to women's organizations and not only organize holidays but engage in real actions, I have voiced my ideas.
This requires space, legal assistance, social and medical assistance
to make these women slowly integrate and provide work for those who do not have a profession,
and to give the opportunity to work for those who have.
Changing the image of a women in the society, we will get an educated generation
that will come after us in Russia and Azerbaijan will benefit from it.