Azerbaijan State University of Economics-Special Talents Faculty
Firangiz Aghayeva
In these latter days I visualize the future Azerbaijan quite often. What do I see?
I see bright, energetic, and dynamic Ideas Economy that lead the country only to the top!
“Excelsior!” With this word I would like to start. That is how I can describe my vision for Azerbaijan. Living in a such dynamic, fast developing country, I can hardly imagine that this country obtained its current position within 23 years. Before sharing my vision for future Azerbaijan, I would like to look back, and pass through that arduous way. Despitethe fact that I was a child in 90s, stories of my parents andhistorical basis helped me to visualize transition period of how economy backed on its feet. By my view, that period was glorious, as well as difficult. Because after gaining the state sovereignty in 1991 the country has done almost everything from zero. It is well known that you learn more on the way to your goal, rather than when you achieve it.
Since regaining the independence, it was inevitable forAzerbaijan to changepolitical and economic systems in order to formthe sovereign state, and national economy based on free market relations. At the same timethe government had to solve such important issues as the strengthening of territorial integrity and national independence,forming of a legal state; tranforming to the market economy system,development of the security and well-beingof the nation and many other issues.
The Contract of the Century was the first step in establishment of economic development. Further, extensive economic, political and social reforms were implemented in order to build today’s modern Azerbaijan.
Establishment of Southern Energy Corridor, construction of the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) became the biggest Gas Agreement bringing Azerbaijani gas resources to the European market.
Launching the first Azerbaijani satellite-Azerspace-1, and Trans-Eurasian Information Superhighway (TASIM) are the major achievements in ICT sector of Azerbaijan providing global connectivity and building better IT environment in the region.
TASIM project was selected to be one of the world’s 13 global projects. The project involves the creation of major transit link from Frankfurt to Hong Kong.[1]
The list of achievements and successes of Azerbaijan is very large. But the size of the list is not important, asthe main concept is the People and their Ideas that stand behind these achievements.
People are the Real Wealth of Nations. The basic objective of development is to create an enabling environment for people to live long, healthy and creative lives. This may appear to be a simple truth but it is often forgotten in the immediate concern with the accumulation of commodities and financial wealth. (UNDP, 1990).
İn 20 years from now, the People will be Azerbaijan’s wealth, rather than oil. Oil is just a means for achievement human development. The government has done great job regarding the development of the nation. Since early 20th century, great philanthropists as H.Z.Taghiyev financed the education of young people abroad. Now sovereign Republic of Azerbaijan continues this important mission. It is exceptional opportunity to be able to get high education in world’s leading universities by the governmental support.It is the way of development of human capital. But the main idea is not only to develop, but also to put this future human capital into right development direction. Above stated quota describes best the creative capital. It is all about the ideas that stand behind innovation and development. If Azerbaijan has made such a huge progress during 23 years since gaining independence, then the country is able to take the leading position in the world in less than 20 years. The main goals are to work hard, believe and create new ideas.
What stands behind the success of the Facebook?-Idea. Or what stands behind the success of Apple?-Ideas that generate new technologies. I do not mean that there is lack of ideas. Ideas exist. But there is lack of support, talents and tolerance.
Who is the talented person?-The person who thinks and acts differently. One of the features of the talented person is tolerance. As Richard Florida (2009) pointed out “Economic prosperity relies on cultural, entrepreneurial, civic, scientific, and artistic creativity. People with these talents need community, organizations that are open to new ideas and different people. In other words, Talent loves tolerance”. [2]
By my view, talent and tolerance together create synergy. Even if a person is talented, by being non-tolerant, he will not be able to create any valuable capital. It destroys any kind of creative capital. Tolerance opens a broader world for a person who can improve his talents by accepting other ideas, values and beliefs.
Government should not only explore talents, but also bring up them. And it should start this mission from the youngest people. Improvement of children’s thinking and intellection should be one of the prioritized tasks of the nation. One of the ways of doing this is teaching children the tolerance. Establishment of program of tolerance in Azerbaijani schools can change their perceptions, making them open to different ideas and people. Changing their thinking from early ages can help to find out young talents.
Other idea for improvement of young generation is to teach them how to deal with money. In my opinion, it should also be included into school program. Children should know how to use money in order to finance their actual needs. The main goal of this program is making the children clearly understand “what for they have the money, and how they can use it rationally?” It will allow children to support their future ideas.
In addition, such kind of opportunities should be created for children from orphanages. Also free courses on accounting, finance or other basic field knowledge should be arranged for orphans. Orphans could also be a valuable asset for economic prosperity. This kind of courses could be the Corporate Social Responsibility of different companies. Those companies could find potential specialists among them.
Further, instead of imagining of how Azerbaijan will be in 20 years, by my view, the young people should see how the country will be in 20 years. They should clearly know what they want to see by that time.
Youth should understand how they want Azerbaijan to be look like. The effective way to realize the vision of young generation is to develop Future Studies in the country. The main concept of the Future Studies is building a better world for humanity through analyzing current situation and then applying new ideas.
The global organization engaged in Future Studies is Millennium Project, which is independent future research think tank of researchers, futurists, scholars and business planners. [3]
The main mission of Millennium Project is “Improvement of thinking about the future and make that thinking available through a variety of media for feedback to accumulate wisdom about the future for better decisions today.” [4]
It is what Azerbaijan definately needs. Millennium Project has already have joint programs with Azerbaijan Future Studies Society, which organize Future Studies courses jointly with world’s leading futurists at Azerbaijan State University of Economics. I was one of the participants of future studies online courses. The knowledge that I obtained there is exceptionally valuable, as I know what future I want now. The young generation should be aware of the realities they will face in the future.
They should be aware of the fact that, for instance, by the year 2025 water demand will exceed supply 56%.[5] It is the reality, which accompanied with several other issues. But we can change it through creating new ways for solution of such problems. Being aware of current situation is the first task. Expansion of Future Studies project among the universities, also including Future Studies courses into schools and universities program could be helpful in performing this task. Changing the thinking of children about the future from early ages is more efficient rather than changing their minds when they become mature. Studying the Futures Research Methodologies will help young people to make relevant forecasts allowing them to see their future. These programs can also be implemented jointly by Millennium Project and Azerbaijan Future Studies Society.
Further, creating TV channel broadcasting builders of the future, different information and facts regarding the future could be the most effective way to implement the development of Future Studies in Azerbaijan. This TV channel will totally differ from the other local TV channels of the country, in a way that, it will be regulated by young generation. They can share their ideas about the future, different researches and prognosis regarding global challlenges like, population and resources, transnational crime, clean water, status of women and others. Based on their works they can build the future Azerbaijan there.
Above stated ideas are the first steps in development of Ideas Economy. Further, I would like to share my view about the main consequences of the Ideas Economy in 20 years. The main tool for this purpose is the Futures Wheel, which is the one of the Futures Research Methodologies.
Futures Wheel is one of the Future Research Methodologies and was invented by Jerome C. Glen. It is a method for graphical visualization of direct and indirect future consequences of a change or development. [6] The main trend is the “Ideas Economy” in the center of the wheel.
Creating new ideas is the key driver for economic development. New ways will allow Azerbaijan to improve the level of economy which subsequently will increase aggregate national income and subsequently resulting in better living standards. Economic development will also reduce the gap between poor and rich.
One of the major consequences is economic diversification, which is the main strategy of the government.
As Richard Morningstar stated “Further diversification of the economy of Azerbaijan will open up great prospects for long-term development and will allow to become one of the most economically developed countries in the world” [7]
Diversification will definitely develop different sectors of economy. Development of alternative energy sources will significantly reduce country’s dependence on oil and gas sector. Azerbaijan uses hydro energy mainly from the rivers. In order to save resources government can expand this energy sector, as it has too many mountainous rivers.
One important issue is to improve the alternative sources of energy, such as wind energy, solar energy and thermal water energy. Climate of Azerbaijan creates suitable conditions for improvement of solar energy. City of winds, Baku has enormous potential for wind energy sector.
Economic diversification strengthens distribution of the economic, political and social power within an economy. The distribution of power will promote a more democratic regulation of the economy.
Diversification makes the economy less vulnerable to the different external shocks. Proper structured economic diversification will make the country more steady when facing the crisis.
Successfull new ideas are the basis for new businesses, which in turn, mean the creation of new work places which will decrease the level of unemployment. Also new ideas provide people with the wide range of capabilities, subsequently creating large variety of goods in the market.
Ideas Economy will create cutting-edge technologies, new methods of doing business. Tecnological development will allow producers to reduce the costs.
The future that I clearly see is the Ideas Economy strenghening the country day-by-day. The way to implement Ideas Economy lays through tolerance. Tolerant people are true creators.
It is expected that Azerbaijan will become an economically and politically developed and competitive country with high population incomes, minimum unemployment rate, developed human capital, a sound environment and extensive opportunities for every citizen.
It is not surprising, considering the country’s achievements, and tremendous potential. Azerbaijan is an ambitious and young country. It differs from other countries for its striving for success. Despite all above mentioned, Azerbaijan has a difficult way ahead. Nevertheless, I have no doubt that Azerbaijan will pass all challenges on his way and will be always on the top!
References:
- 1Trans-Eurasian Information Super Highway (TASIM), 2008, Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum. Available:
- http://www.mincom.gov.az/projects/tasim/
- 2 Richard Florida “The rise of the creative class”, 2002, University of Toronto.
- Interview with Richard Florida-Talent loves tolerance, 2013. Available: http://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/item/33828-interview-richard-florida
- 3Millennium Project, 1996, History. Available:
- http://millennium-project.org/millennium/overview.html
- 4Millennium Project, 1996, Mission. Available:
- http://millennium-project.org/millennium/overview.html
- 5The World Water Organization, Water facts, 2010. Available:
- http://www.theworldwater.org/water_facts.php
- 6Futures Wheel, Futures Research Methodology Version 3.0, The Millennium Project, Washington, DC 2009. Available:
- http://millennium-project.org/millennium/FRM-V3.html
- 7 Richard Morningstar, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Meeting of the Caspian European Integration Business Club (CEIBC), 2012. Available:
- http://www.news.az/articles/politics/74031
