 | On November, 10-11, 2005 one hundred teachers from eleven regions throughout Azerbaijan shared their experiences and expertise in teaching economics at the School Economics Education (SEE) Program's Lead Teacher Conference held by Junior Achievement Azerbaijan (JAA) and Project Harmony (PH). The US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mr. Reno L. Harnish, Azerbaijan Republic's Minister of Education, Dr. Misir Mardanov, USAID Country Coordinator Mr. James L. Goggin, local and foreign business community and media representatives all participated in the event.
During the two-day Lead Teacher conference the participants enrolled in economics and business education training sessions, participated in round-table discussions, and practiced teamwork and leadership skills in interactive activities. Speaking at the opening session, Dr. Mardanov, Ambassador Harnish, and Mr. Nicholas Blower, JAA Board member, emphasized their support for JAA and the School Economics Education program, indicating importance of economic and business education for Azerbaijan's developing economy. Following the opening speeches, Vusal Khanlarov, JAA Executive Director, provided an overview of the School Economics Education Program, pointing out perspectives of involving local businessmen in the program activities.
The session on “The Importance of Teaching JA Economics Curriculum in Azerbaijani High Schools” introduced innovative JA activities, such as Applied Economics, the Management and Economic Simulation Exercise, Student Companies, Hewlett Packard Global Business Challenge, and Global Business Ethics. “JA Economics curriculum is a great source for conducting interactive economics classes. Our students learn economic theories and get the opportunity to use their skills in simulation practices,” commented Ms. Naila Ahmadova, JAA projects trainer. “This economics curriculum indeed prepares young Azerbaijani students for their future lives.”
The Business Environment and Business Ethics presentation by Mr. Teymur Abasquliyev, Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, provided complete picture of Azerbaijan's economic status, presented main factors attracting foreign investments into the country, particularly in the oil and gas sector, and supported the importance of business ethics. During the training sessions by Project Harmony the participants gained essential skills and tips of becoming a successful online project facilitator, as they will introduce the international school partnership component into their classes. The event ended with the closing ceremony, during which the participants received certificates for successful participation in conference seminars and workshops. “The conference taught us new strategies and technologies to introduce in our classes and, most importantly, encouraged a massive flow of ideas,” said Zarema Almazova, teacher from Intellect Lyceum in Baku. Junior Achievement Azerbaijan will continue its efforts to build a successful and active network of teachers through follow-up online and offline activities. |
Junior Achievement provides teachers, and schools with concrete programmes, and allows students to learn how to put theory into practice and to understand what entrepreneurship is about. In this way students gain self-confidence and motivation, become proactive and learn how to work in a team. This is an important investment in Europe's future.