Other Projects
National Book Award
Bakcell was pleased to give support to the National Book Award (NBA), known as the major cultural event of the year. On June 4, 2011 the winners of the 
project were announced: Parviz Jabrayilov - 1st place winner, Magsad Nur - 2nd place winner, Nariman Abdurrahmanli and Natiq Rasulzade - 3rd place winner. The winner of the first award received 3,000 AZN, the second place – 2,000 AZN and the third place winners – each 1,000 AZN. During the meeting with the winners, Mr. Richard Shearer, CEO of Bakcell said: “Bakcell, as an Azerbaijani company believes it is an important mission of its corporate social responsibility program to support the development of the arts and Azerbaijani culture. The National Book Award is one of most prominent initiatives in this regard and we are very pleased to support this project. Bakcell is committed to promoting Azerbaijani literature and we want to make it accessible to all, including those living abroad. Today with increasing popularity of internet education, e-books are growing in popularity. Not many books are available though for e-book readers in Azerbaijani and it is our next CSR target to help develop digital infrastructure of Azerbaijani literature. I am pleased to announce that for the first time in Azerbaijan “Ali and Nino” Publishing House and Bakcell will launch National E-book Award.
My SMS Dream
On the eve of the New Year 2010, Bakcell, together with “Birliya Dogru” Union for Support to Children with Disabilities and Deprived of Parental Care launched “My Dream SMS” campaign. The aim of the campaign was to realize New Year wishes of orphaned children. Children from four orphanages in Baku and Guba sent their holiday wishes to Santa Claus via SMS using the Mock-up phone installed in the orphanages. After the SMSes were collected, Santa Claus visited the orphanages and presented holiday gifts to children. Sometimes children are in need of warm words, rather than gifts. Mobile Santa Clauses distributed flyers with Bakcell Star cut out at the Bakcell Service Centers. Those who wished to send their holiday greetings to children without parental care could write their wishes down on these Stars. The wishes were collected by Santa Claus and delivered to the orphanages. The authors of the most interesting holiday greetings got prizes from Bakcell.
“The most active MP of the Year” Award
On March 10 2011, “The most active MP of the year” award ceremony was organized by the Parliament Journalists Union. Parliament Journalists Union conducted a survey among the journalists assigned to the Parliament and selected 10 most active MPs. All the key mass media representatives, including newspapers, information agencies, and national TV channels participated at the event. MPs were awarded with diplomas by Bakcell.
International Child Protection Day at Surakahani Boarding School
The holiday event dedicated to June 1 - International Child Protection Day was organized at the initiative of ANS Press Publishing House, “Bala Dili” and “Elli” children’s magazines. Bakcell, together with children who participate in the “Bakcell Stars” program, joined to support this initiative. “Bakcell Stars” children’s choir from Baku SOS Children’s Village and Dancing Group from Baku SOS Youth House for Girls performed in front of their peers.
On behalf of children, Head of Surakhani Boarding School, Ms. Gabila Bagirova thanked to Bakcell and ANS Press Publishing House for organizing such an entertaining event and commended SOS Children’s choir and dancing group for their wonderful performance. “This is a great social experience for children. It creates a good chance for them to interact, laugh, play, have fun, make new friends and feel members of the big community.
“Abilities are Limitless” - UNICEF and Heydar Aliyev Foundation campaign
Heydar Aliyev Foundation and UNICEF launched the Campaign “Abilities are Limitless” aimed at combating discrimination against children with disabilities. For six months the Campaign will encourage integration and social inclusion of children with disabilities, nationwide through special events, TV Public Service Announcements, billboards and other communication materials. Being committed to CSR and supporting children in need, Bakcell launched bulk SMS to all Bakcell subscribers on 8-9 July 2011 raising their awareness of the campaign.
AMCHAM Annual Picnic
American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan organized its 16th Annual Independence Day Picnic on July 2 at Shafa Stadium. Bakcell was supporting the event among other sponsors, such as ERNST&YOUNG, CHEVRON, BMI, IBA, UNIBANK, COCA COLA, EFES, MCDERMOTT, PWC, AMEC, BAKER&MCKENZIE, HYATT, LANDMARK, EXCELSIOR HOTEL, GDF SUEZ AND INTERNATIONAL SOS.
