On May 22, 2025, a scientific-practical conference on "Our Family Values in the Modern Era" was held jointly organized by Khazar University, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Youth Assistance Fund, and the "Istanbul Family Foundation."
At the conference organized at Khazar University, the blessed memory of our martyrs was commemorated with a minute of silence, and the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Independence March of the Republic of Türkiye were performed.
Subsequently, a video presentation titled "Where There is Family, There is Life," dedicated to the family theme and prepared by "Value Media Group," was screened.
In his speech, Acting Rector of Khazar University Prof. Mahammad Nuriyev stated that the main issue facing every country in the globalizing world is the preservation of national-cultural heritage and spiritual values. The professor noted that in such circumstances, making the right choice and protecting our identity and national-spiritual wealth has become more difficult. "Joint initiatives implemented in this field between two brotherly countries - Azerbaijan and Türkiye - are also commendable," the rector noted.
In his speech, Türkiye's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Prof. Birol Akgun stated that the issue of preserving family values in the modern world is important and sensitive, and therefore 2025 was declared the "Year of the Family" in Türkiye on the President's initiative. The ambassador noted that important measures have been implemented in Türkiye to strengthen the family institution, and this initiative has led to increased public and academic attention in the relevant direction. Birol Akgun thanked the organizers for raising this issue in Azerbaijan and bringing it to the agenda with the scientific-practical conference, wishing success to the event's activities.
In his speech, Member of Parliament Ceyhun Mammadov noted that national-spiritual values are being targeted in the modern era, that this struggle is not only cultural but also ideological, and that national values are weakened by weakening the family institution. The deputy stated that family values are the foundation of our national identity and that the family has been the most important pillar holding our society together throughout history.
In her speech, Chief Adviser of the Family Issues Department of the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Issues Samra Aliyeva stated that social media deals a major blow to families, that parents alone are not responsible for such issues, and that society's indifferent approach also causes negative phenomena.
Prof. Saffet Kose, Rector of Katip Celebi University, who spoke next, cited the United States as an example, drawing attention to attempts to change the concept of family in the modern era and particularly to implement the fatherless family model. Stating that sociologists and psychologists are sounding alarm bells, Saffet Kose said that research shows fatherless families lag behind in all aspects and concluded that it is important to return to the previous family model.
President of the Youth Assistance Fund Ahmet Tecim stated that family holds great significance in our culture, in our national and spiritual values, and that family carries sublime meaning in the Turkic world. He noted that families are currently being deliberately destroyed, and thus our millennial culture is being fragmented. He emphasized that it is the healthy family that upholds society - one that embraces its national identity and preserves its traditional values.
After the official opening ceremony, the conference continued with panel presentations. During the panel session, presentations were heard on the topics: "Our Family in the Modern World: Problems - Solutions," "Family Institution and Transformation of Values in Digital Society: Socio-demographic Trends, Challenges," "Modern Azerbaijani Family: Sociological Analysis," "Changing Roles with Time: Contemporary Model of Husband and Wife," and "Family Institution in Turk-Islamic Cultural History."
At the end of the conference, the presenters were awarded plaques by the organizers.
AZERTAC published news about the event.
Copyright © Khazar University, 2025
