Azerbaijan
May 2011 - Ramil Iskandarli (2005 Fellow) expresses his views on Azerbaijan's victory at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest read more
March 2011 - The John Smith Memorial Trust is delighted to announce that Narmin Baghirova, Etibar Kerimov and Emin Milli have been awarded a place on the 2011 John Smith Fellowship Programme. They will travel to the UK in June as 2011 John Smith Fellows.
November 2010 - The John Smith Memorial Trust will be conducting a series of online seminars during the week commencing 22nd November in which the Trust's Director Brian Brivati will answer your questions about the application process and the Fellowship Programme. Details of the seminar in Azerbaijan are as follows: Baku - 6.30pm, 24th November. Please email Konul Ahmadova for venue information and to subscribe to the event.
September 2010 - Vusal Huseynov has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to read Public Administration (MA) at Harvard University.
June 2010 - Fariz Ismailzade (2007 Fellow) has been appointed as the Executive Dean of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA). He was previously Director of the Advanced Foreign Service Programme at the ADA.
January 2010 - Ramil Iskandarli (2005 Fellow) has been elected as Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijani-UK Alumni Association (AUKAA)
JSMT Deputy Chairman Damian Green MP visits project of 2005 Fellow Shahla Ismailova
The Shadow Minister for Immigration Damian Green MP travelled to Azerbaijan in mid September 2009, visiting 2005 Fellow Shahla Ismailova who has launched a pioneering project in the Azeri capital of Baku. Read More
Trust Advisor Michael Moore MP visits Baku to promote 2008 John Smith Fellowship Programme
On 24th September 2007, Trust Advisor and Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesman Michael Moore MP and Deputy Director Joanna Lamb travelled to Baku. This visit was co-sponsored by the British Embassy and British Council in Azerbaijan. Read More
Baroness Stern travels to Baku to promote Penal Reform - inspired by John Smith Fellow, Ramil Isganderov
On 2nd October 2006, Trust supporters Baroness Stern and David Croft joined Deputy Director Joanna Lamb in Baku in order to encourage applications to the 2007 Fellowship Programme. Read More
Azerbaijan-UK Alumni Association (AUKAA) The Trust's network expanded considerably in 2005 when Azerbaijan was made a Fellowship country. In September 2005, John Smith Fellows Khalid Rajabov, Ramil Isganderov, and Shahla Ismayilova played an active role in the establishment of the Azerbaijan-UK Alumni Association (AUKAA) after taking part in the 2005 Fellowship Programme. The AUKAA is a network of Azerbaijani professionals who have been to the UK under various study programmes. The organisation is run by its members and previously by 2005 Fellow Khalid Rajabov who was the former Chairman. Their aim is to develop an effective professional and social network of UK alumni. Their further goals are to: maintain professional links and potential business relationships between Azerbaijan and the UK; promote professional development opportunities for its members; and assist in the reform process of their country. The AUKAA has 140 members at present and is supported by the British Council, the British Embassy, and BP. The AUKAA held its first regional conference in February 2007, bringing together the British Alumni Associations of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. The participants were welcomed by Dr. Laurie Bristow, the British Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Khalid Rajabov, AUKAA Chairman, and Elmar Gasimov, Deputy Minister of Education. Key-note speeches were made on sustainable development and corporate social responsibility, whilst the second day of the event was devoted to networking.
Vice-Chairman Sir Menzies Campbell MP visits Azerbaijan on behalf of the Trust
Vice-Chairman, Sir Menzies Campbell, CBE, QC, MP, and the Trust Director, Emma MacLennan, visited Baku from 5th to 7th October 2005 to meet the Azeri Fellows and to promote understanding in Azerbaijan of the Trust's aims and methods.
Azerbaijan becomes a Fellowship country (2005)
The Trust are delighted to be extending the scope of the Fellowship Programme to include Azerbaijan. The 2005 Programme will include three young leaders from the South Caucasian country. The Rt Hon Lord Robertson, Chairman of the John Smith Memorial Trust, welcomed this development saying: 'There has been keen demand from young civil society and political leaders in Azerbaijan to participate in our Programme. We are delighted to be able to respond. Our fellowships are an opportunity to gain valuable experience and skills, and will help to encourage a dialogue between young Azeri leaders and those in Armenia and Georgia.'
Articles
Azerbaijan sees Armenia Differently after Elections
by Fariz Ismailzade, 2007 Fellow
This essay explores the issue of democratic development in Armenia and Azerbaijan and the impact of the recent Armenian presidential elections.
Azerbaijan's Traffic Deaths: Time to Buckle Up
by Fariz Ismailzade, 2007 Fellow
Eight persons dead in a head-on car collision. Twenty-nine soldiers injured in an army vehicle crash.
First published in Eurasia Insight on 3rd August 2007.
A Karabakh Azeri Perspective
by 2006 Fellow Tabib Huseynov
Peace talks to resolve the conflict over Nagorny Karabakh have been under way for more than a decade with virtually no tangible progress.
A Guide to the Republic of Azerbaijan Law Research
by 2005 Fellow Ramil Isgandarov
Evolution and Resistance: Democracy in Azerbaijan
by Shahla Ismayilova 2005 Fellow
There are many definitions of democracy, but none which reflects its full essence. The term ‘democracy’ is more ideological than scientific. Democracy is the most complex of all the forms of government. It is not designed for efficiency, but for accountability.
An Invisible Conflict between Unknown Enemies
by Khalid Rajabov 2005 Fellow
Democratic governance, democratic institutions, free and fair elections, the rule of law, market economics, trade liberalization, privatization, political pluralism – these are some of the watchwords the West uses in relation to the post-Soviet republics, and with little regard for local sensitivities.