What do we do?
Our full objectives are set out in the "Constitution of the Society". Aiming at our two main objectives - charitable work and the enhancement of knowledge of Azerbaijan - we undertake a wide range of activities which in the past have included the following:
Speakers at Society events:
- Lindsay Forbes, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
- Michael Townshend, BP Caucasus Regional Manager.
- Dr. Gavin Graham, Shell Vice President.
- Tim Turner, Caspian Environmental Programme.
- Angus Hay, Britain’s foremost expert on "Dunsterforce" and the British defence of Baku in 1918.
- Representatives of KBR, KCA Deutag, BMed airlines and the BTC (Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline Company) talking on the work of their companies.
Presentations and Seminars:
- Round table chaired by Lord Fraser at the Palace of Westminster on "Exercising of tolerance in Azerbaijan".
- Seminar on "Azerbaijan: Multi-Sectoral Opportunities, Building on Oil Wealth" attended by companies interested in trading and investing in Azerbaijan.
- Society Dinner at the House of Commons attended by 200 guests.
- Ministry of Economic Development/Azerbaijan Embassy conference "Investment opportunities in Azerbaijan" held during the visit of President Ilham Aliev of Azerbaijan.
The Society keeps in close contact with the Britain-Azerbaijan All-Party Group of MPs and holds many of its functions at the Houses of Westminster.
Student Sponsorship
- The Society has supported an Azerbaijan national as a postgraduate student at Cambridge who was later awarded a Foreign Office Chevening Scholarship.
- The Society has sponsored young Azeri artists including a violinist who was awarded a scholarship at The Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey.
Charitable events
- Charity Balls in London in 1988 and 1999 raised funds for causes in Azerbaijan to the tune of £35,000
- Events held in Baku in 2000, 2001 and 2002 jointly with the British Business Group, including a Charity Ball raised some $65,000 which went to upgrading the Saray Orphanage in Baku for mentally and physically handicapped children.
- Events in 2003 and 2004 at the time of the Baku Oil and Gas Exhibition raised some $87,000 for local charities including Community Shield Azerbaijan, The Leonard Cheshire Foundation, UFUQ and The Burnaby Blue Foundation.
- In 2004 the Society held its first Charity Burns Supper in Aberdeen which raised over £9,500 for charity. The 2005 Burns Supper, also in Aberdeen, raised £11,000 for Community Shield Azerbaijan.
The Society channels most of its funds through non-governmental organisations who ensure that they are used to maximum benefit. Together with those mentioned above, these NGOs include: United Aid for Azerbaijan, Leonard Cheshire Centre of Conflict and Recovery, HealthProm Safe Motherhood Programme, Association of Young Azerbaijani Friends of Europe, RSLSTEEPER (a company producing aids for the handicapped) and the International Women's Club in Baku. Some of the proceeds from the 2004 Burns Supper went towards the refurbishment of a school handicapped children in Gendje.
Hosting VIP visitors from Azerbaijan
As part of the mandate to foster good relations between Azerbaijan and the UK, the Society plays an important role in hosting Azerbaijani guests visiting London. The last major event of this kind was the dinner for President Ilham Aliev during his official visit to the UK in December 2004 at which HRH Prince Michael of Kent and Lord Hurd were the hosts. In addition there is a continuing programme of functions for Azerbaijani Government Ministers who visit the UK. In the recent past events have been organised for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Economic Development, the Chairman of the National Bank of Azerbaijan, the Chairman of the State Oil Fund and the Minister for Education. Such events give an opportunity for Society members to meet Azerbaijani decision-makers from a wide background.
Client events
On special occasions the Society hosts dinners and other functions solely for its members and their guests. The last such event was a dinner in December 2005 at the House of Commons which included a tour of the Palace of Westminster, a glittering occasion enjoyed by some 120 members and guests.
