On April 6, 2025, a forum dedicated to volunteering was held at the Sheki branch of Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ADPU) within the framework of the “Voice of Volunteer Return” project. The event was organized as part of the grant competition announced within the framework of the “Year of Constitution and Sovereignty” with the support of the Youth Foundation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The main objective of the forum was to increase young people’s legal awareness, strengthen their civic engagement, volunteering and initiative potential, develop networking among youth in different regions, and establish a sustainable cooperation environment among active young people. In this regard, the forum served as an important platform encouraging youth to become proactive participants in social processes rather than passive listeners.

During the forum, participants exchanged views on the importance of volunteering for society, social responsibility, the role of proactive youth in public life, and opportunities for regional cooperation. The open discussion sessions allowed students to share their ideas, identify future initiatives, and evaluate opportunities for mutual collaboration.

Speaking at the event, Head of the Career Center of the Sheki branch of ADPU, Khuraman Hamidova, emphasized that the systematic involvement of young people in volunteering activities plays a significant role in their personal development as well as in shaping them as socially responsible citizens.

Project coordinator at Mingachevir State University Aynur Guliyeva highlighted the conceptual importance of the project, noting that the “Voice of Volunteer Return” initiative not only represents a series of events but also serves as a platform that strengthens young people’s sense of civic responsibility and encourages legal awareness and active citizenship. According to her, the establishment of an interregional youth network opens new opportunities for future social initiatives.

Coordinator of the Mingachevir STEAM Center Mushfiq Tarverdiyev stressed that in the modern era young people should stand out not only with theoretical knowledge but also with initiative, collaboration and problem-solving skills. He noted that volunteering activities play an important role in developing leadership qualities and social responsibility among youth.

MDU lecturer Nargiz Niftaliyeva underlined that such open discussion platforms are highly beneficial for students, enabling them to express their ideas freely, develop their perspectives on social initiatives and improve teamwork and decision-making skills.

Chairman of the MDU-BIR Volunteer Organization and project manager Gorkhaz Rahimli spoke about the project’s goals and objectives, emphasizing that the main intention of organizing the forum was to strengthen connections among active youth, promote a systematic approach to volunteering and create conditions for socially impactful initiatives.

At the end of the forum, participants emphasized that volunteering for modern youth is not only a form of social activity but also an important field for personal development, building social networks and strengthening civic responsibility. The ideas and proposals expressed during the event were considered an important foundation for future projects and regional cooperation initiatives.

It should be noted that the “Voice of Volunteer Return” project, implemented with the support of the Youth Foundation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, envisages organizing a series of events in different regions to promote youth civic engagement, strengthen the culture of volunteering, and support regional youth cooperation.