New world order highlights the role of NGOs in the development of civil society, deepening of democracy, protection of national interests. Heydar Aliyev Foundation has been established on the bases of the nation’s wish to express esteem in the memory of Heydar Aliyev, who went down our history as an architect of an independent state, and out of the necessity of reflecting his rich moral heritage, underlining the importance of the philosophy of Azerbaijanism for our country and suggesting the national statehood ideas to our children. The purposeful works done in the 10 years demonstrate the Foundation’s devotion to this purpose.    

Heydar Aliyev Foundation supports projects in the spheres of education, culture, health, science, technology, ecology and sports, operates in the country and on the international level. In this respect, the activities the Foundation performs in the social direction are of special importance. Care to children and elderly, numerous schools, healthcare centers, music lyceums and children’s homes built and repaired, special attention to children suffering from thalassemia and diabetes is an integral part of the Foundation’s work. The key objectives of the Foundation feature helping people needing a special care, bring up children and youth as citizens with a comprehensive knowledge, solve social problems of local importance, discover and develop the creative potential, knowledge and skills of people. The social activities comprise construction of dwelling buildings for youth graduated from children’s homes and boarding schools, restoration of religious institutions and communities, construction and restoration of kindergartens, creation of children’s entertainment centers, measures taken to enhance relations with other states (construction of a school for girls in Pakistan, Friendship Park in Sarajevo, Friendship Bridge in Astrakhan and so on). Such project as “Assurance of access of blind and visually impaired children to ICT”, performed on the initiative of Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, is a kindness, humanism with no alternative. Since 2004, schoolbags and educational supplies are traditionally distributed in the beginning of a new school year to first graders from refugee and IDP families as part of the Support to Education Project.    

Naila Mammadova
“Azerbaijan Realities”