OSCE Office sponsors "Olympiad" for schoolchildren in Azerbaijan

BAKU, 17 May 2004 - Over 50,000 Azerbaijani schoolchildren had a chance to show their knowledge of political affairs during an "Olympiad" sponsored by the OSCE Office in Baku.

Launched in April as a part of the Office's initiative to assist the educational reforms in Azerbaijan, the quiz programme was aimed at secondary school pupils.

"Education is a cornerstone for the future of any country building a democratic society," said Ambassador Peter Burkhard, the Head of the OSCE Office in Baku. "We are particularly pleased with the enthusiasm and creativity demonstrated by the thousands of pupils, as well as with the remarkably high level of knowledge. We are glad to do something for the young generation - the future of Azerbaijan. The young people are showing their desire to live in a democratic and pluralistic society."

The Olympiad, organized together with the local non-governmental organization Kainat (Universe), helped the participants find out more about the activities of the OSCE Office and other international organizations, the importance of a civil society and democratic institutions.