Throughout the centuries, the Azerbaijan people have embraced the traditions of kindness, self-sacrifice, volunteerism and disinterested help.
Volunteerism is one of the most successful format of civil, society and state co-operation that unites people around a common purpose. Volunteerism is also a school of patriotism, an example of connection and service to one's people, state, national and moral values.
In order to promote this activity, our state has taken the necessary steps, the regulatory framework has been improved and mechanisms of state support have been established. Volunteerism has become a nationwide movement, penetrating into many areas of activity, covering every region of our country, various areas of social life, covered all layers of our society and became a lifestyle of the youth. ASAN, “Regional Development” Public Union, “One” Student Volunteers and other volunteer movements have been established, and voluntary groups have been formed uniting ten thousands of young people in the central and local executive bodies.
Our volunteers have given a new breath to their work with their creativity, initiative, innovative thinking and modern outlook. They have played an unexampled role in the implementation of large-scale international events in our country such as the Eurovision Song Contest, I European Games, Formula 1, IV Islamic Solidarity Games.
The Volunteer Week, which was held for the first time in Azerbaijan on the eve of the International Volunteer Day, December 5 this year and covering all volunteers, has shown that volunteering in our country has entered a new phase and has great potential.
Basing on the point 32 of the Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in order to encourage the personal development of young people, to increase their sense of social responsibility, to effectively use the potential of youth for the welfare of the people and the sustainable development of our country, I decide:
1. To declare 2020 the Year of Volunteers in the Republic of Azerbaijan. 2. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan shall within a month prepare and submit to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan an action plan on declaring 2020 the Year of Volunteers in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Ilham Aliyev The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku city, December 30, 2019
