Children are future of Azerbaijan, let's not be indifferent to their problems: President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation

"Children are future of Azerbaijan. Let's not be indifferent towards their problems," Azerbaijan's First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO Mehriban Aliyeva said addressing a national conference on Child Protection Reform in Azerbaijan, which was dedicated to the Year of Children and the 20th anniversary of UN Convention on Child Rights.

The modern world has faced many global problems, including military conflicts and clashes, global climate changes, epidemic and pandemic. But children's problems must be on the top place, Mehriban Aliyeva said.

She said that family atmosphere plays great role in forming children as personalities.

"Respect for a family is one of the best qualities of Azerbaijani people. At present, an Azerbaijani woman, being a mother, takes an active part in social life of the country," she said.

"As a mother of three children, I think that motherhood is the most important mission in my life," Mehriban Aliyeva said.

She regretted that now definite part of children grows up without parents' care.

"All of us should worry about these children's destiny," Mrs Aliyeva said.

Mrs. Aliyeva said the Heydar Aliyev Foundation that she heads pays special attention to solving problems of these children.

About 31 infantile schools were overhauled and equipped in Azerbaijan within the Fund's program 'Development of boarding schools and orphanages'.

However, none of modern and well-equipped boarding-schools and orphanages can replace a family, Mehriban Aliyeva said.

In March 2006, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev approved the state program to deliver children from children's homes to families (de-institutionalization) and alternative care.

Mehriban Aliyeva said that tremendous work is being done within this program covering 2006-2015.

About 45 infantile institutions are planned for transformation in Azerbaijan within coming 3-5 years.

/Trend News/