IREX
International Research & Exchanges Board

State

Regional Library Information Centers (RLIC) Program

July 2007


discussion

Online Discussion Brings Together Azerbaijani Parliamentarian and Rural Citizens

Over forty users of Regional Library Information Centers (RLIC) and Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) from 17 regions of Azerbaijan had the rare opportunity to connect with a member or parliament on July 18th. Samed Seyidov, rector of the Azerbaijan University of Languages, member of Milli Mejlis (Parliament), and head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe took questions an online audience of more than fourty users from across Azerbaijan. During the online discussion participants posted more than 60 questions which touched upon a variety of issues ranging from the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to the challenge of democratic transition in Azerbaijan.

Addressing a question from the director of the Gabala Central Library regarding the OSCE Minsk Group inability to find a solution to the Nagarno Karabakh conflict, professor Seyidov remarked that everyone had a right to assess the progress of the OSCE Minsk Group activity but that the idea of outright rejecting their ability to find a solution was not acceptable to him, “Current negotiations are conducted in the format of three OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs…who are actively seeking solutions and we need to recognize their endeavors and activity”.

RLIC’s Tech Age Girls participant from Davachi raised the question of Azerbaijan’s readiness for European integration and mentioned contradictions between the obligations that Azerbaijan would have to assume.  Samed Seyidov responded, “Azerbaijan is ready for the European integration and we have to become acquainted with European values.  If we talk about the obligations, then the obligations undertaken before European structures play an important role…However, Azerbaijan must fulfill these obligations while still remaining loyal to its national values, customs and traditions.”

The online discussion gave participants’ opportunity to ask questions from one of their official representatives, an important principle in a transition towards accountable governance. RLIC will continue to bring government officials online to address the underrepresented citizens of the regions.

 


RLIC user

RLIC Centers Helps Women of Azerbaijan Stay Connected to the Larger World

  • Elvina Aliyeva started visiting the new RLIC in Astara, a remote region bordering Iran, shortly after it opened in June.  Thanks to new resources available in to her there, Aliyeva mastered Microsoft Office programs and learned how to use the Internet.  Her new skills have come in handy already as she is currently applying for the law faculty of Baku State University and is able to use the RLIC to check her results via Internet.  “Usually after the exams we have to wait some time before the results are announced.  I am very glad that there is free Internet access in Astara, where I can check the results myself online (www.tqdk.gov.az)” remarked Aliyeva.


RLIC user

  • Sevinj Karimova is a local businesswoman in Salyan and also RLIC’s most active user. Karimova sells cosmetic goods and in the past she frequently traveled to Baku to pick-up and buy products. Recently she learned that it was possible to place cosmetics orders online through the company’s website.  Karimova, who had previously never used Internet, signed up for classes at the Salyan RLIC.  “I never thought that I would use computers and run my business through the Internet.  It is a bit strange but at the same time it is a demand of modern life,” she said.  Now Sevinj Karimova conducts her business online which saves time-consuming and expensive trips to Baku, and allows her company to deliver products to Salyan customers within 48 hours.


RLIC user

  • Elvina Guliyeva’s brother has recently left Mingachevir to study in Holland.  Due to scheduling conflicts resulting from her full load of classes, Guliyeva was unable to attend the scheduled IT trainings hosted by RLIC. Though she very much wanted to learn to use the Internet in order to get in touch with her brother, the only option seemed unavailable to her. Rather than waiting for the next round of trainings, one of the librarians, Ilhama Huseynova, gave Guliyeva private lessons on MS Office programs and Internet communications.  Guliyeva quickly learned how to use e-mail and now keeps in touch with her brother. It was a valuable experience for both her and Huseynova, who gained the confidence to teach IT courses on her own “I am very glad that I taught someone how to use the computer.  This work gave me a lot of pleasure” remarked Ilhama Huseynova. RLIC continues to help librarians in Azerbaijan’s regions to remain relevant and useful to the country’s youth.

 

RLIC Marks National Media Day

Fifteen journalists and other active members of local community were invited to RLIC center in Gobustan to mark National Media Day of Azerbaijan on July 20th. Representatives of local media outlets discussed the historical development of media in Azerbaijan, its present challenges and problems. Editors of the Gobustan and Gobustan’s Voice newspapers talked about the importance of free media in establishment of democratic society.

Participants of the event also mentioned the importance of electronic media, and necessity of creating web sites for newspapers which would allow many readers to access the newspapers online. In continuation of this topic RLIC administrator introduced the participants to www.newstrendaz.com, www.ucnoqta.com, www.mediaforum.az, www.internews.az, www.azadliq.az and other sites that can become successful examples for establishing modern newspapers. Participants thanked RLIC for conducting this event. “Newspapers are the main part of media; media in its turn is the main basis for democracy. We are living in new world, and have to try to answer the new demands. Thanks to RLIC we got to know more about how our colleagues from different media outlets function” said one of the event participants.

 


Chess Champion

RLIC Chess Championship Brings Players from Devechi and Mereze Online

One of RLIC’s main goals is to use Internet to bring together different groups of people with the same interests throughout the regions of Azerbaijan.  While trainings, presentations and community events are all ways to bring people together, RLIC staff are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to increase and diversify users. 

In July, RLIC organized an online chess tournament between Devechi and Mereze regions.   Champions from each center were determined during playoffs from July 19 to 24. A young player from Devechi was able to defeat his opponent from Mereze and win the online chess competition.  RLIC users were able to watch the tournament online and one of the participants noted:  “I like playing chess, but I did not know that one can play chess with others through the Internet.  This was a great idea to organize this tournament and I am very glad that I participated in it.”

RLIC will to continue organizing online chess tournaments between different centers.  In addition IREX also intends to organize a Nard (an Azerbaijani traditional board game) championship to encourage traditionally older players to visit the centers and build their own online community.

 

Role of Northern Regions in Azerbaijan’s History Discussed at Online Forum

On July 20, RLIC in Khachmaz conducted an online forum to discuss the role of northern regions of Azerbaijan in the country’s history. The main aim of the forum was to use the Internet for online discussion as a non-traditional teaching method for school teachers. Students from School No. 6 posted their questions and comments regarding the role of northern regions history of Azerbaijan. Mr. Vugar Mammadov, a history teacher of the same school answered to questions and led the discussion. Since using IT in education is not an ordinary method for Azerbaijani schools, event raised interest both using interactive methods for both the students and their teachers.

 

Residents Discuss the Environmental State of Kur River

On July 27, twenty-five Neftchala residents gathered at the regional library to attend RLICs event to address to the pollution of Kur River. The event was to mobilized active community members and experts to talk about pollution of Kur River and outline the citizens’ role in its protection. Attendees discussed the best strategies for doing so, and as a result they decided to print out informational flyers. Volunteers were found to distribute the brochures among the population, as well as through an e-mail listserv. “Let us protect the Kur River and nature in general, because by destroying nature we are destroying mankind. We like this idea and will support RLIC to organize similar events” noted one of the participants.