Invisible harm of visibles to UN-Azerbaijan relations
All that glitters is not gold

ANALYTICS  05 April 2023 - 13:07

The UN Office in Azerbaijan held a training session on the role of civil society in conflict prevention and peacekeeping.

As we know, the UN conducts many such trainings. And while in the 90s they were rare, nowadays such events do not surprise anyone.

We are not against such events. There are many professionally prepared and tailored discussions and exchanges of experience to the specific needs of the country's development. A developed civil society is an indispensable component of any developed state.

So what was it that drew our close and, to put it bluntly, not too happy attention to this particular meeting of UN staff and civil society representatives?

First of all, the topic chosen for discussion. It is no secret how important, desirable, and at the same time painful it is for every citizen of Azerbaijan. Plunged into the abyss of war by the separatist aspirations of neighbouring Armenia 30 years ago, Azerbaijan strives for peace. It seeks peace despite the catastrophic devastation caused by the aggressor during the long years of occupation. It strives to overcome the bitter pain of losses and sacrifices that our nation suffered in the struggle for territorial integrity and independence. Struggle although mines of Armenian occupants are still killing and crippling us today. It is worth remembering this when the whole world marks International Day of Mine Awareness. Yes, we want peace, but we are witnessing numerous obstacles and impediments being put up by our neighbours. Why does the UN show such zeal by actively involving our NGOs while the US, Russia, the European Union, and many other superpowers have not been particularly successful? The NGOs' interest in this topic is well explainable and predictable due to the reasons given above, and more specifically because the topic is more than important and relevant.

What is the involvement of state structures in this initiative, and is there any involvement at all? We would venture to guess that they are not particularly involved. Yes, not all initiatives involving civil society should involve the state. Moreover, there are cases when it should not even be there. But to discuss the role of NGOs in building peace in a country that has not yet concluded a peace treaty with a neighbouring state which has occupied its territory for 30 years is a little strange. While the role of people's diplomacy and the need to involve civic activists in building a lasting peace are important, attempts to exclude the state from this process are utopian, to say the least.

The programme was replete with topics such as preparing society for peace, the basic elements of a civil society approach to peace and security issues, working across dividing lines, and national priorities for establishing an inclusive society.

We are not going to indiscriminately accuse the organisers, let alone the participants, of mortal sins. We accept that this could be an innocent conversation on a topic that is important for the country and its society. But who can tell us why those who were preparing the agenda did not even bother to consult with those whose efforts should harmoniously complement and reinforce the very idea of an active role for civil society in confidence and peacebuilding? Why, in matters of real urgency that require the attention and support of international partners - for example, demining or planning for the recovery and reconstruction of liberated territories - do we have to drag foreign partners along?

We have been and continue to be open to cooperation. Moreover, we invite cooperation. But this is our country, and we believe that the opinion of its government should at least be listened to and, ideally, taken into account when setting the agenda and priorities for external assistance.

Caliber.Az