Lorenz Rudolf Gonschor thanks President Ilham Aliyev for addressing issue of colonialism

A panel discussion titled "Resistance and Decolonization" was held in Baku as part of the international academic conference "Imperial Structure: Ideologies and Realities of Colonialism."

According to Report, the event brought together leading scholars, human rights defenders, international legal experts, and UN-affiliated decolonization specialists.

Participants explored contemporary manifestations of colonialism, its lasting impacts across various regions, and proposed frameworks and tools to advance decolonization efforts in the 21st century.

Murad Ozkaleli, Associate Professor at ADA University, emphasized the importance of academic rigor in addressing colonial legacies:

"In the real fight against colonialism, scientific evidence must serve as the foundation. We need solid data — how many women have been killed, how many cases of domestic violence have been documented, and so forth," he said.

Professor Chakib Benkhefri of Algeria 2 University called for greater cooperation among nations in resisting colonialism:

"It is vital for countries of the Global South to collaborate and share experiences across all sectors. I firmly believe we possess the resources and values necessary to showcase our strength and identity to the world," he stated.

Lorenz Rudolf Gonschor, senior lecturer at the University of the South Pacific (French Polynesia), expressed his appreciation to Azerbaijan for its commitment to decolonization issues:

"I would like to thank Azerbaijan and its leadership for their dedication to this cause. In particular, I commend President Ilham Aliyev's remarks at COP29, where he did not shy away from addressing the issue of colonialism on such a prominent global platform," Gonschor noted.

In conclusion, the panel underscored the need to rethink international relations and advance a just global agenda aimed at eradicating colonial legacies in all domains — from politics and economics to science, education, and culture.

PHOTO CREDIT: Muhammad Aghayev