“Decolonization: Awakening of the Renaissance” international conference kicks off in Istanbul

The “Decolonization: Awakening of the Renaissance” international conference organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) continues in Istanbul, Report informs.

Speaking at the opening of the event, the executive director of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), Abbas Abbasov, noted that in the last four months of 2023, the organization held five international conferences.

According to him, the main goal of these events is to convey to the world community the voices of residents of regions affected by colonization: "The Baku initiative group has achieved this, and people who suffered from colonial oppression convey their voices to the whole world through the created platforms. Now the world community is aware of what is happening in these regions, about the dire consequences of French colonial policy."

A video clip about the activities of the Baku Initiative Group was shown at the event.

This will be followed by an open discussion and quiz session, and then BIG executive director Abbas Abbasov will make a closing speech.

The “Decolonization: Awakening of the Renaissance” international conference organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has kicked off in Istanbul on Saturday, Report informs.

The primary objective of these conferences was to amplify the voices of people in countries affected by colonialism to the global community.

The conference convenes 50 representatives from 13 countries and four international organizations, including delegates from French colonies such as New Caledonia, French Polynesia, French Guiana, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.

The Baku Initiative Group was established by participants of the round table on “Towards the complete elimination of colonialism” held in Baku on July 6, 2023, as part of the ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) chaired by the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Panels will discuss artificial legal barriers created by the French government, including border, security and defense issues, national resources and property, international recognition (human rights and justice), citizenship, nationality, legislation and regulations, as well as economic reforms.

The conference will continue with an open discussion and a quiz session. Later on, the executive director of the Baku Initiative Group, Abbas Abbasov, will make a final speech.

The panel to be held on February 25 will be dedicated to ethnic and cultural discrimination. The panel will address political instability and conflicts, repression/arbitrary arrests, political history, social and economic issues, harassment of independent media, security issues (human, health, environment, cyber security), immigration and emigration, and foreigners.