National culture plays a significant role in the collective consciousness of Azerbaijani society, and the cultural heritage and achievements of arts and literature organically fit into its mentality, axiological attitudes, and everyday behaviour. In this context, the primary purpose of cultural policy in Azerbaijan is to harmonise relations between culture, artists, the public, and the state. It means building relationships where culture develops based on internal needs, creative individuals realise their potential, the audience receives aesthetic inspiration, and the state provides the necessary support. At the same time, society does not merely play the role of a consumer of culture and art; on the contrary, as feedback, it actively shapes the cultural agenda using the examples of created masterpieces.
The traditional significant societal impact of culture and art ultimately finds its expression in decisions taken by the state. The established practice is that when developing various types of state programs, strategies, and action plans, relevant events in the field of culture are often included that contribute to the implementation of these state programs. As examples, the State Program of Socio-Economic Development of the Regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2023 (No.500 of January 29, 2019) and the Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026 (No.3378 of July 22, 2022) can be cited.
Moreover, the legislation ensures the active participation of the public in these processes: according to the Law On Public Participation (№ 816-IVQ of November 22, 2013), state bodies must provide the participation of citizens and civil society institutions in the preparation and implementation of state policy in various spheres of state and public life, including cultural one, and consider public opinion. These procedures also apply in decision-making at the national and local levels in organising public control over the activities of relevant government agencies responsible for culture. Private and civil society actors, individual figures, and researchers in culture actively utilise this consultative right, and their opinions and proposals are considered in various state programs, including cultural and artistic activities and projects. Forms of public participation include public councils, public discussions, public hearings, public opinion surveys, public consultations on draft legal acts, and written submissions. Thus, the Public Council under the Ministry of Culture is committed to facilitating the participation of civil society institutions in the adoption of legislative acts concerning the Ministry of Culture and organising public oversight of its activities.
The societal impact of culture is considered in the draft “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Concept of the Republic of Azerbaijan; one of the priorities is the culture of behaviour. The proposed policy in the field of the culture of behaviour envisages increasing the role and socio-political influence of culture in the behavioural algorithms of individuals, development and promotion of effective models of verbal and non-verbal communication within society and at the level of various state and social institutions, implementation of coordinated interdepartmental activities and projects to strengthen the reputation of the family institution as the primary bearer of national and spiritual values, ensuring the application of etiquette related to individual types of the culture of behaviour, such as contact with the environment, family and household behaviour, public behaviour, communication, aesthetic tastes, etc.
See also chapter 1.2.5
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