‘The period of labour migration worldwide has ended. The agenda on discussions around diaspora are now predominated by the launch of the stage of transferring scientific potential and entrepreneurial ideas. The time has ripened for penning global diaspora success stories rather than listening to sentimental migration tales. This highlights the fact that diaspora approaches have completely shifted and the importance of establishing ties with them and building new platforms for compatriots abroad to do more useful work for their homeland’, said Vasila Vahidgizi, head of department at the State Committee for Work with Diaspora in her interview to AzVision.az. 

- What are the new models of diaspora building in the world and what are the advantages of these practices? 

‘Countries that can establish strong ties with the diaspora strengthen their positions globally and can boost their competitiveness comprehensively. Countries, such as China, India, and Israel have been able to set an example by establishing unbreakable ties and maintaining healthy coordination with their diaspora. 

Some analysts believe that China’s coordination with its diaspora has played a significant role in becoming an ‘industry base’ in the world. The same idea of succeeding through building systematic and solid ties with the diaspora is also voiced about India and Israel. Such approach to the issue at hand clearly shows that establishing unbreakable ties is indeed the cornerstone for shaping new models of diaspora building. 

I once read about a practice by the Jewish diaspora, and I strongly believe that the experience has been etched into my memory for ages. It was on bringing Jews born in different parts of the world to Israel as part of a program. The process included inviting young Jews to their ancestral homeland and issuing a ‘Certificate of Affiliation’, which played an invaluable role in forging sturdy bonds between them and Israel. 

While studying the experience of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), I was fascinated by the steps the institution takes to help educate Turks living abroad. These are calculated measures aimed at training a highly educated contingent, who can substantially help both Turkey and the country they live in.’ 

- What are the development directions for the Azerbaijani diaspora? 

‘I would like to start with listing certain pointers that characterize development. Analysts invite us to pay attention to two pointers in terms of the development of the diaspora and establishment of close ties with their historic homeland – building strong relations with the diaspora and developing inter-diaspora relations. The Azerbaijani diaspora can demonstrate their development and formation through having the following features: 

• Inviolability of the common motherland concept 
• Not alienating the country, they move to
• Having an ability to unite around goals and objectives 
• Being understanding towards each other and open to discussions 
• Being able to maintain national identity 
• Developing an analytical framework and strategic thinking 
• Testing the practice of working with the international community 
• Eliminating the generation gap between the diasporas 
• Achieving joint activity of the Azerbaijani and Turkish diasporas 
• Shaping think tanks through analysing and consolidating the potential of the diaspora.’ 

- How must the people (state) establish ties with their diaspora to benefit from it? 

‘First of all, a nation must recognize their diaspora, meaning there should be a solid bridge between the nation and the diaspora. The projects implemented by the State Committee for Work with Diaspora such as the Summer Camps of Diaspora Youth, ‘Brain Gain’ program, ‘Leadership Development’ program, ‘Diaspora Youth 1+1’ project, Azerbaijani Diaspora Women’s Network, ‘We are different, but stronger together’, ‘E-Academy’ and others are aimed at building this bridge. 

We invite over a 100 youths from diaspora and friendly nations to Azerbaijan to each summer camp for the diaspora youth, already held in Sheki, Shamakhi and Shusha and planned to be held in Nakhchivan. They are introduced to our history and culture, meet with the families of martyrs and veterans, listen to the heroic stories of our martyrs, and practice the habit of speaking their native language. All these steps, and most importantly the 5th Victory Congress of World Azerbaijanis in Shusha and seven visits of the Azerbaijani diaspora to Shusha up to now have become a substantial impetus for closer contact with their historic homeland and our people. 

Launching the Diaspora TV and Diaspora FM and systematic broadcasting of the Homeland is not Far Away’ program for over 5 years have played a direct role in establishing ties between our people and the diaspora. 

Another important mission we have today is to involve Azerbaijanis worldwide in rebuilding Karabakh. The State Committee for Work with Diaspora has been launching interesting and consequential projects both in this direction and in benefiting from the knowledge and skills of Azerbaijani scientists abroad.’ 

- What can the Diaspora do for their Motherland? 

‘While answering the question of what the Azerbaijani diaspora is doing for its homeland, we will also have addressed the question of what a diaspora can generally do for their motherland. The prominent statesman Heydar Aliyev had said in February 1994 in his meeting with Azerbaijanis living in Great Britain: ‘Azerbaijani diaspora is taking shape abroad. It will develop day after day and it will spare no effort to help Azerbaijan, its homeland…’ These words come to life as we speak. We have taken serious steps as of late in organizing Azerbaijanis abroad as per direct instructions of President Ilham Aliyev. The State Committee for Work with the Diaspora has supported the establishment of Coordination Councils covering various countries, opening of Azerbaijani Houses, constant increase in the numbers of weekend schools, which have all played a special role in unifying and organizing the Azerbaijani diaspora. This type of organization is precisely what revealed the qualitative clues of the diaspora activity during the Second Karabakh War. 

Azerbaijanis in different parts of the world stood up to protest Armenia’s occupant policy and war crimes and launched peaceful actions after the provocations committed by Armenia towards Tovuz, Azerbaijan, in July 2020. Over 25,000 people took part in around a hundred protests in more than 30 different countries. The unauthorized actions organized by Armenians in front of Azerbaijani embassies in several countries even ended in a fiasco due to the defence events by our compatriots. They sent up to 2,000 statements in 23 languages to parliamentarians and congressmen in different countries, the UN, European Council, and other international organizations regarding the Tovuz provocations and occupation policy run by Armenia. They delivered 775 statements to members of the European Parliament and statements and appeals to 641 parliamentarians serving in different countries. Our diaspora set up around 200 actions in 30 countries. Thousands of diaspora members participated at Karabakh and Khojaly rallies held in Brussels and Berlin. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what the diaspora has done for our Motherland. 

They displayed the symbols of victory on digital billboards on high-rises in Time Square in New York, the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Centre building in Yekaterinburg, 10 popular buildings in London and in the centres of big cities, such as Helsinki, Bern, Rome, and Thessaloniki after the Great Victory. ‘Days of Azerbaijan’ were launched in several states of the USA thanks to the unwavering efforts of our diaspora. 

Our compatriots abroad allocated more than 3 million manats in financial support to our army, the families of martyrs and veterans during the Patriotic War. They shipped all kinds of medical supplies and equipment. Our compatriots in 63 countries joined the ‘YASHAT’ Charity Marathon, which was a first in the history of Azerbaijani diaspora. The event raised over 1 million manats for the families of martyrs and veterans. 

The historical statement by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev perfectly described how our diaspora organized during the Patriotic War: ‘Our diaspora played a substantial role in building bridges and contacts between Azerbaijan and their respective countries from day one. They mobilized all their efforts to inform the international community.’ 

Sahil Isgandarov 

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