The “Zafar” American Summer Camp, organized for the children of martyrs, is currently underway with the joint efforts of the “Zafar” Public Union for Support to Martyrs’ Families and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the USA, supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan, sponsored by Veysaloglu Group of Companies, and partnered by ADA University. The camp, which runs from July 15 to 26, involves 10 children of martyrs from ADA University, Khazar University, and Azerbaijan Medical University, who are studying in English and have demonstrated high academic performance during the current academic year, participating in a rich academic, cultural, and educational program in the USA.
The main purpose of the camp is to support the personal and professional development of the participants, enhance their leadership skills and worldview, provide them with opportunities to learn about education and career prospects in the USA, and increase their knowledge of the country’s history, state structure, culture, science, and innovation sectors.
At the opening ceremony of the camp, Luet Ragusa, Director of Operations at the ADA University Washington Center, provided information about the camp’s goals, program, and the opportunities it will create for the participants, wishing the youth success. Sevinc Orucova, Chair of the “Zafar” Public Union for Support to Martyrs’ Families, spoke about the importance of such projects aimed at the personal and academic development of the children of martyrs, stating that the camp will make a significant contribution to achieving their future goals. On the first day of the camp, Khatai Aliyev, a PhD student in Economics at Indiana University, conducted a training session on “Educational Opportunities in America.” During the training, participants were provided with detailed information about the US higher education system, the admission process, scholarship programs, and available opportunities for international students, and their questions were answered.
Within the framework of the “Zafar” American Summer Camp, the participants had the opportunity to get closely acquainted with the history, art, and cultural heritage of the USA. As part of the program, they visited “The People’s House: A White House Experience” museum, where interactive information about the history of the White House and the US presidency is presented. Later, they visited the Renwick Gallery to see the “State Fairs Tour: Growing American Craft” exhibition dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the USA, where they viewed exhibits reflecting the development path of American craftsmanship. The participants walked around Lafayette Square and the White House, getting acquainted with the city’s historical sites. During the visit, the National Museum of American History was also visited. There, the Presidential Pavilion, the First Ladies Pavilion, the George Washington statue designed in the style of a Greek god, the historical flag that inspired the US national anthem, as well as the “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” exhibition dedicated to the country’s 250th anniversary aroused great interest among the participants. Subsequently, the camp participants visited the National Gallery of Art, where they explored the “Celebrating American Art,” “Dear America,” and “American Symbol: The US Flag in Art” exhibitions, closely observing works reflecting different periods of American art.
Continuing the program, the participants visited artist workshops at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia, specifically the studio of Azerbaijani artist Abulfaz Bahadori, originally from Tabriz, and learned about the creative process. Later, they took an excursion to the ancient city of Alexandria, walking through its historical streets and architectural landmarks.
As part of the program, the participants also attended various meetings focused on international experience and professional development. At a meeting held with the participation of Lydia Borland, a representative of LB International, the participants gained information on international experience and professional development. They also visited the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Washington. The participants visited the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and explored the Diamond and Ancient Egypt pavilions. They also enriched their knowledge of US history and cultural heritage by visiting the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. During the trip, a warm meeting was held at the Baku Delicious restaurant with Sevda Tahirli, head of the Azerbaijan House, and representatives of the Azerbaijani community living in the USA. Also, a meeting with Bakhtiyar bey, the son of our late artist Sakhavat Mammadov living in America, remained a special and unforgettable moment for the participants.
Within the framework of the summer program in the USA, the participants visited the Library of Congress and learned about its history and rich heritage. Afterward, they visited the US Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the administrative buildings of the US Congress – the Cannon, Longworth, and Rayburn buildings – gaining a closer understanding of the country’s legislative and judicial systems. Later in the day, a meeting was held with Leslie Schweitzer, a member of the Board of Directors of the ADA University Washington Center. During the meeting, there was an exchange of views on education, youth development, and future career opportunities, and the participants’ questions were answered. The camp participants also visited the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to learn about the history of aviation and space exploration. On the next day of the program, the participants attended a meeting on law at American University and visited the university’s Katzen Arts Center. Later, a meeting was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the USA with Khazar Ibrahim, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to the USA. During the meeting, the participants learned about Azerbaijan-US relations and diplomatic activities. During the trip, the participants visited the US-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce and the Azerbaijan Trade and Cultural Center, where they met with American businessmen to exchange views on business and professional connections, as well as opportunities for economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries. In the evening, the participants walked around Georgetown Waterfront, Thomas Sweet Ice Cream Shop, and M Street. At the end of the day, well-known journalist Ganira Atash, living in America, met with our children. During the sincere meeting, interesting conversations were held with the participants, their questions were heard, and valuable ideas were shared. Continuing the program, a meeting was held with a representative of the Engineering, Science, and Technology department of George Washington University. Later, the participants visited the “Textile Museum” of George Washington University. The participants also visited the National Museum of Asian Art and explored the “Of the Hills” exhibition. Later in the day, they participated in the “Beyond the Exhibition: 250 Years of Messaging” program at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where they learned about presentations and exhibits related to the development of communication and technology. As part of the program, the participants also visited George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate to learn about the life and historical legacy of the first US president, George Washington. On the final day of the camp, the participants visited the Smithsonian National Zoo and then took part in an interactive program at the Planet Word Museum.
At the conclusion of the camp, certificates will be presented to the participants for their involvement in the program. It should be noted that the 12-day “Zafar” American Summer Camp, as a continuation of projects aimed at the development of children of martyrs, uncovering their potential, and gaining international experience, provides participants with rich experience and new opportunities.