A “friendly debate” on “Accommodation and non-accommodation of elderly people in nursing homes” was organized among the students of Azerbaijan University and Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts (ASUGA) studying in the specialty of Social Work. 

The event, held at Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, was opened with an introductory speech by Sadagat Aliyeva, the Vice-Rector for Scientific and Creative Work of this University. Welcoming the delegation of Azerbaijan University and the students participating in the debate, the Vice-Rector threw the debate open. Then Aykhan Gahramanov, a lecturer in Social Work at both universities, acquainted the students and the jury with the topic and rules of friendly debates and gave the floor to the speakers.  

The debate was attended by 10 debaters and 3 speakers separately from both universities. The 1st group of speakers informed about old age in general and about the situation of the elderly in Azerbaijan. The 2nd group of speakers tried to refute the opinion of the other group, giving arguments, and, finally, the 3rd group of speakers offered real solutions to the problem.

After the debates, the jury was given the floor. Head of the Social Work Organization Department of Azerbaijan University Tunzala Verdiyeva stressed that the role of social workers is of particular importance in ensuring the social well-being of people belonging to vulnerable groups of the population, including the elderly. Mubariz Suleymanli, head of the Department of Social and Cultural Activities of ASUGA, emphasized the importance of preserving national values and at the same time applying modern approaches. Sadagat Aliyeva, the Vice-Rector of ASUGA, highly appreciated the performance of both teams and noted the importance of such debates on the specialty of Social Work becoming a tradition. 

At the end, the participants of the debate were presented with gifts. It was decided to hold the next meeting at  Azerbaijan University.

Public Relations Department