A simulation conference was held in accordance with the Model Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) International Relations Academy project, which has been successfully implemented for 11 years now by the Eurasian Regional Center of Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF-ERC), at the Park Inn Hotel in Baku, the Republic of Azerbaijan.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Vusal Gurbanov, Acting Director General of ICYF-ERC, and a senior specialist of the International Relations Department of the State Employment Agency of Azerbaijan spoke about the project’s importance and its role in contributing to youth development.
Around 90 students from Azerbaijan’s top universities took part in discussions on “Peacebuilding processes in Afghanistan,” “Regional security challenges in the OIC geography,” “Proposals for promoting inclusiveness and enhancing the capacity of youth in the OIC region,” topics simulating an OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) session, and adopted resolutions on the aforementioned topics.
Distinguished participants who will be selected by the jury for their outstanding performance during the conference will have the right to represent the Republic of Azerbaijan in the “International Model OIC ” competition to be held in one of the OIC member states.
The ambassadors of Pakistan, Palestine, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and a number of OIC member states to Azerbaijan gave lectures to project participants about their countries’ foreign policy priorities. Besides, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, international conflicts, cooperation between OIC member states, the role of education in a changing world, the role of Islam in world civilization, and other topics were discussed by prominent scholars and experts representing various scientific and educational institutions in Azerbaijan.
The main goals of the Model OIC project, which is co-organized by ICYF-ERC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan and supported by Baku State University, are to support the strengthening of international youth cooperation and to assist Muslim youth in enhancing their knowledge and experience.
Azerbaijani participants have always represented Azerbaijan honorably at “International Model OIC” conferences attended by delegates from more than 40 OIC member states over the past years.
Model OIC is now being implemented in several countries, with the goal of completing the project in all OIC countries and holding simulation conferences in the near future.