Multiculturalism and inter-religious tolerance: the experience of Azerbaijan and its significance for Europe

Seminar

Jointly organized by the Baku International Multiculturalism Center, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of Sweden and the Institute for Security and Development Policy.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015, 14.00-18.00

On November 18, 2015, a delegation of religious dignitaries from Azerbaijan will visit Stockholm. The delegation consists of the Muslim mufti, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, as well as the Russian Orthodox Archbishop, the Catholic Nuncio, and the leaders of the community of Mountain Jews and the Community of European Jews of Azerbaijan, as well as the State Counsellor for multiculturalism and religious affairs. In a time when the greater Middle East suffers from escalating sectarian conflict, the Azerbaijani delegation provides a unique example of ethnic, religious tolerance and mutual understanding — as recently showcased by Time Magazine.

A seminar will be held in Stockholm’s Sheraton Hotel on November 18 between 14.00-18.00, which will provide the opportunity to discuss the Azerbaijani and Swedish experiences of multiculturalism and religious tolerance.

The Institute for Security and Development Policy is a co-organizer of this seminar in cooperation with the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of Sweden, and the Baku International Multiculturalism Center.

Location: Sheraton Stockholm Hotel.

To attend: RSVP to Nijat Safarov at azembnijat@gmail.com

Conference program:

14:00 – 14:30 Welcome speeches
Kamal Abdullayev: Member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
State Adviser on Inter-ethnic, Multicultural and Religious Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazada
Chairman of the Caucasian Muslim Board

Adish Mammadov
Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of Sweden

Svante Cornell
Director of the Institute for Security and Development Policy

14:30 – 16:00 Panel I
“Azerbaijan’s experience of inter-religious tolerance”
Moderator: Azad Mammadov
Executive director of Baku International Multiculturalism Center

Lectures:
Kamal Abdullayev: Member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
State Adviser on Inter-ethnic, Multicultural and Religious Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazada
Chairman of the Caucasian Muslim Board

Alexander Ishein
Archbishop of the Baku and Azerbaijan eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church

Ordinary Vladimir Fekete
Ordinary of the Apostolic Prefecture of the Roman Catholic Church in Azerbaijan

Milix Yevdayev
Leader of the Mountain Jews Religious Community

Gennadiy Zelmanovich
Chairman of the Baku Religious Community of European Jews

16:00 – 16:30 Break

16:30 – 18:00 Panel II
“Azerbaijani and Swedish models of multiculturalism: comparative analysis”
Moderator: Dr. Svante Cornell
Director of the Institute for Security and Development Policy

Lectures:
Helene Egnell
The Centre for Inter Faith Dialogue

Göran Lennmarker
Former member of Swedish parliament, former president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

Azad Mammadov
Executive director of Baku International Multiculturalism Center

Svante Cornell
Director of the Institute for Security and Development Policy

Stefan Gullgren
Deputy Director-General of the Swedish MFA, Head of Department for Eastern Europe and Central Asia

 The working languages of the conference will be Azerbaijani and English.