CNIS held a conference in Sumgayit – PHOTOS



On 30 January, the Center for National and International Studies (CNIS) held a conference in Sumgayit titled “Political Pluralism and Electoral Democracy: Azerbaijan’s traditions and Turkey’s experience.”

Among the participants of the conference were the President of CNIS, Dr. Leila Alieva, Professor of Middle East Technical University, Dr. Ayse Ayata, political analyst Zafar Guliyev, local expert from Sumgayit, Esabeli Mustafayev, as well as representatives of political parties and civil society, students.

Upon her opening remarks, Leila Alieva stressed the importance of discussions about political pluralism and electoral democracy in today’s Azerbaijan.

Doktor Maryam Orujlu talked about emergence of political pluralism and electoral traditions in Azerbaijan at the turn of XIX and XX centuries. Political analyst Zafar Guliyev shared his analysis about elections and pluralism in modern Azerbaijan while Esabeli Mustafayev made an interesting presentation about elections and political pluralism in the city of Sumgayit and challenges that they face.

Professor Dr. Ayse Ayata shared her insights about Turkey’s electoral history and experience as well as political pluralism.

At the end of the conference, the participants received a special CNIS edition titled “Democratic Values in the History of Azerbaijan.”

The conference was held within a project supported by the National Endowment for Democracy.


January 30, 2010