Azerbaijan

November 7, 2013
November 7, 2013
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Azerbaijan: Re-establishing Civil Society

Arseh Sevom--In part two of Arturo Desimone's interview with the civil society activist "O" in Azerbaijan, we read about the struggles to create capacity for critically analyzing the actions taken by the government. Education, O, argues is something that cannot be left to the government. "I think we have to start now with realism," O states, "actually depicting the sufferings as they are, in their immense intensity and contrast, in all their extreme dimensions."
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October 14, 2013
October 14, 2013
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Azerbaijan: Rebuilding Culture from the Ruins

Arseh Sevom -- In the first of a two-part article documenting his conversation with Azeri opposition member "O.", Arturo Desimone uncovers a movement struggling to reclaim its heritage of critical thinking. It does this through education, translations, and social movements. After ninety years under Soviet Rule followed by authoritarian rule rife with human rights abuses, O. describes a society in need of reconnecting to its own culture and in learning again to question, think critically, and create its own Enlightenment.
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May 23, 2012
May 23, 2012
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Azerbaijan: Democracy is a Motor that Needs Constant Maintenance

As people all over the world watch the Eurovision competition beaming in from Azerbaijan's largest city, Baku, competing images of the country emerge. One is the clean, happy face of the music competition, while the other is one of oppression and control.

Sahand Sahebdivani spoke to Arjen de Wolff, current director of Radio Zamaneh, about his experiences working for the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Azerbaijan. During the interview, De Wolff reflected on working in closed societies and the nature of democracy.

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