The Mayor of the French City of Colmar Gilbert Meyer and the President of the Association of Azerbaijan’s Friends in France Jean-Francois Mancel and the Secretary General of the Association, the Chief of Paris House of Azerbaijan Mirvari Fataliyeva have been to Baku International Centre of Multiculturalism.

At the meeting with the guests the Acting Executive Director of Baku International Centre of Multiculturalism Ravan Hasanov spoke of the model of Azerbaijani multiculturalism, the centuries-old multicultural values and traditions of tolerance in our country, the activities of BICM which was established by President Ilham Aliyev’s Decree, and the projects implemented by it. R.Hasanov stated that the rich cultural–spiritual legacy and traditions of tolerance of Azerbaijan, which is situated at the juncture of civilizations, are internationally recognized. The present national-cultural diversity and religious-ethnic tolerance have turned Azerbaijan as a multinational, multi-confessional land into an unparalleled space of intercultural dialogue. The state policy, which has been targeted at the maintenance of that cultural, ethnic diversity, and is being successfully pursued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan today, necessitates a special care and enrichment of the great historic experience accumulated for centuries in multiculturalism and intensification of the international advocacy of the unique achievements in society in this regard.

The participants of the meeting discussed the possible projects of BICM in France as well as the issues of advocacy and study of the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism in France. During the discussions it was emphasized that due to the frequent acts of terrorism, in France the notion of multiculturalism is misunderstood. Religious extremism and the freedom of religious identity, multiculturalism and the policy of isolation are confused. In this sense, as an exemplary model, teaching the course “Azerbaijani Multiculturalism” at the universities of France, its advocacy in society, as a whole, are of great importance.

Further the Acting Executive Director Ravan Hasanov was awarded with the medal of French Parliament for BICM’s international advocacy of the ideology of tolerance and multiculturalism. And the visitors from France were elected the Honourary members of BICM. They were given diplomas and certificates.

Запись The Mayor of the French City of Colmar and the President of the Association of Azerbaijan’s Friends in France at the Centre of Multiculturalism впервые появилась Baku International Multiculturalism Centre.