In conjunction with UNICEF’s 75th anniversary, the Ministry of Education and the UNICEF Office in Azerbaijan hosted an event titled “Reimagining Youth Skills for the 21st Century.”

The event was attended by Education Minister Emin Amrullayev, UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan Alex Heikens, staff from the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, the Institute of Education, the State Agency for Vocational Education, students and others.

In his opening remarks at the event, Education Minister Emin Amrullayev emphasized the importance of the UNICEF organization’s work in our country and the cooperation between the Ministry of Education and UNICEF. Emin Amrullayev also spoke about joint projects in the field of education during the pandemic between the Ministry of Education and UNICEF.

Speaking on “Reimagining Youth Skills for the 21st Century”, the Minister of Education stated that long-term thinking, planning for new skills and competencies for the future is a very important issue and stressed the importance of taking labor market demands into account.

In his speech, UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan Alex Heikens stated that the Ministry of Education has become UNICEF’s most successful and important partner in our country over the past decades. When discussing climate change, migration, and other issues in a globalizing world, Alex Heikens stated that being prepared for such changes is the key to success.

Mr. Alex Heikens noted the impact of the pandemic on education in his speech, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and skills that meet the demands of the twenty-first century.

The event included a panel discussion on the impact of the pandemic on the field of education and ensuring the continuity of education, adaptability and skills required to face the challenges of the 21st century. The panel discussion was attended by students from schools, specialized classes, students from SABAH groups and members of the Union of Student Youth Organizations of Azerbaijan. The panel discussion focused on young people’s skill levels, employment opportunities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and the acquisition of skills to meet future labor market demands.

Source: Ministry of Education Republic of Azerbaijan