Culture and art traditionally have a significant social impact in Azerbaijani society, influencing policymakers in developing new policies, which ultimately finds its expression in decisions taken by the state. Therefore, the participation of the Ministry for Culture is provided for in the preparation and implementation of various kinds of relevant state programmes and action plans. In addition, the legislation ensures the active participation of the public in these processes. So, according to the Law on Public Participation (№ 816-IVQ of November 22, 2013), state bodies must ensure the participation of citizens and civil society institutions in the preparation and implementation of state policy in various spheres of state and public life and consider public opinion. These procedures also apply in decision-making at the national and local levels, in the organisation of public control over the activities of relevant government agencies. Furthermore, private or civil society actors, individual figures, and researchers in culture and art actively use this right. All this is reflected in various state programmes, including activities and projects in culture and art.
The essential strategic document Development Concept for Azerbaijan 2020: the Vision for the Future (№ 800 of December 29, 2012) included preservation and effective management of cultural heritage along with the main directions for the country’s development.
The State Programme for socio-economic development of the regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2019-2023 prescribes continuation of work in the field of overhaul and construction of cultural facilities, restoration and conservation of historical and cultural monuments, including buildings of the National History Museum of Azerbaijan, the Yerevan State Azerbaijan Drama Theatre, and so on.
The Azerbaijani Youth State Programme for 2017-2021 (№ 3236 of September 15, 2017), among other areas of youth support, involves numerous cultural events to support the creative activity of young people and the organization of leisure time such as:
- Supporting the participation of young talents in international festivals, competitions, contests and summer schools;
- Organisation of festivals, competitions, summer schools, master-classes, creative evenings, concert programmes and other events for young talents in the field of culture and art (painting, music, dance, cinema, literature, photography, architecture, theatre, etc.);
- Issuance of state orders to creative and talented youth for the production of theatrical performances, as well as feature, documentary and animated films;
- Organisation of local and international exhibitions and film screenings of works by young directors, artists, sculptors and photographers;
- Promoting the achievements of talented and creative youth in the country and abroad; and so on.
Furthermore, the Action Plan of the Strategy for Children for 2020-2025 (№ 2306 of November 27, 2020) ensures cultural and aesthetic education of children and their right to development. Furthermore, it involves creating a system for early detection, development and support of talent in the interests of the individual, society and the state provided by the State Strategy for the Development of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan (January 19, 2015, № 995), et cetera.
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