The
U.S.-Educated Azerbaijani Alumni Association (AAA) hosted a two-day Model U.S. Senate exercise on February 18 and 19, 2017. Led by AAA board member and YLP alumna Samira Gasimova and FLEX alumnus Elmir Mukhtarov, the mock exercise provided an opportunity for participants to experience the U.S. legislative process while providing education and experience on how a legislative body makes laws.
Non-exchange participants were drawn from ADA University, Tourism and Management University, Baku State University, Moscow State University Baku Branch, Baku Engineering University (formerly Qafqaz University), Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Azerbaijan State University of Economics, Azerbaijan University of Languages, Khazar University, University of Culture and Fine Arts, and Baku Slavic University as well as several local high schools including Dayanat Lyceum, Haydar Aliyev Lyceum, Zarifa Aliyeva Lyceum, Baku European Lyceum, Dunya School and Istek Lyceum.
The Model U.S. Senate conference required participants to assume the role of an existing American Senator and to exercise the Senators responsibility for representing his/her constituents. As Senators, participants discussed the pros and cons of healthcare policy in the U.S., researched a variety of bills, crafted appropriate amendments, represented the people of their States and portrayed the assigned Senator as accurately as possible. In doing so, the Senators proposed legislation, convened committee meetings, held floor debates, and passed several motions relating to healthcare discrimination, public-private partnerships with insurance providers, pre-existing health conditions, and employer provided health insurance benefits.
The Model U.S. Senate was a tremendous success at fostering shared values while offering participants a better understanding of democracy’s benefits as well as the complexities inherent to the legislative process.
The U.S.-Educated Azerbaijani Alumni Association (AAA) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that unites alumni of U.S. Department of State exchange programs in Azerbaijan. The AAA was established in October 2003 by a group of US-educated Azerbaijani alumni with the aim of uniting all alumni of Azerbaijan under one umbrella to apply their knowledge and skills to promote mutual understanding, peace, and development.
The Model U.S. Senate is yet another example of U.S. Exchange Alumni applying the knowledge and skills acquired from their exchange experience while giving back to their communities.
Founded in 2014 by SUSI Alumna Zara Apetrei Huseynova,
WoWoman is a women’s empowerment platform which creates space and tools for women to develop themselves personally and professionally. WoWomen stands for helping women to dare to follow their dreams, live up to their full potential and most importantly, enjoy the Journey itself.
With a team of over 50 volunteers, WoWoman Azerbaijan has organized and managed 15 programs and over 100 events, trainings, seminars, and master classes that empower women to follow their dreams through a variety of disciplines such as entrepreneurship, information technology, cinematography, human resources, project management, yoga, and much more. WoWomen receives up to 800 applications for each event every week. At present, more than 6,500 women have enriched their lives through WoWoman programs & events.
WoWomen celebrated its 2nd year anniversary on February 19 at the Fairmont Hotel where media representatives, famous guests, trainers, representatives of embassies and ministries, government agencies and private sector supporters were present. During the event WoWomen shared all of its achievements of 2016 and held an awards ceremony recognizing best trainers, partners, teams and projects.
WoWomen announced a bold vision for 2017 that included plans for creating a
global online platform to connect all its members, create a peer mentorship system, and provide a hybrid—online and offline—education platform. WoWomen has also launched the WoWomen Global Ambassador Program to create local chapters around the world. Ambassadors are currently active in five cities and
applications are open for anyone who is interested in becoming a WoWoman Ambassador in their city.
Zara Apetrei Huseynova is a 2012 alumna of the
Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) program for leadership, public policy, and social entrepreneurship hosted by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Ms. Huseynova is a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for sex equality and women’s entrepreneurship. She is the founder and CEO of
ALZA Boutiques in Baku, Azerbaijan and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Azerbaijan Oil Academy. She is currently a finalist for the Fulbright Student program and looking forward to start an MBA program in the U.S. this fall. Her motto is: “Nothing is impossible, even the word says, 'I’m Possible.'”
