DOST Agency Represented at the 33rd European Social Conference
A delegation from the DOST Agency and the Social Services Agency participated in the 33rd European Social Conference organized by the European Social Network (ESN).
The conference, held in Aarhus, Kingdom of Denmark, focused on the theme “When Care Meets Technology.” Chairman of the Board of DOST Agency, Farid Mammadov, and Chairman of the Board of the Social Services Agency, Vuqar Behbudov, held meetings with heads of organizations from various countries. During these discussions, they highlighted recent social reforms and achievements in Azerbaijan.
At the conference, Farid Mammadov gave a presentation on both the overall experience of the DOST Agency and the topic “DOST Students Acceleration Program: Support for the Socio-Economic Development of Young People with Disabilities.”
The program aims to transform young people with disabilities into a workforce that meets labor market demands, enhance their employability skills, provide relevant internship opportunities, and change the negative societal behaviors and stereotypes associated with disabilities. More than 70 young people with disabilities have participated in the program, with a 100% satisfaction rate. The next phase envisions the establishment of a digital platform to ensure permanent implementation of the program and to foster more effective communication between students and employers.
The 33rd European Social Services Conference focused on how technology and digitalization, alongside personal development and social connection, are transforming social services. It also served as a platform for sharing experiences and shaping ideas for the evolution of social services. This flagship annual event by ESN is one of Europe’s largest in the field of social welfare, drawing close to 1,000 participants and addressing globally relevant issues.
A key theme of the conference was the synergy created by combining technology and integrated approaches in social services, enhancing their effectiveness and accessibility. It provided leaders of member organizations with the opportunity to share innovations in the social services sector and exchange insights with colleagues from across Europe and beyond.
Notably, the DOST Agency has been a member of the European Social Network since February 2021. Since March 2021, Farid Mammadov has served as a voting member of the ESN Board, and in December 2023, he was elected to the ESN Board of Trustees for a three-year term.
