Identity Defined by Core Values by Galib Mammad

Originally published on GalibMammad.com

On May 2, 2011, we gathered to celebrate the seventy year anniversary of Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev. We gathered as faculty, students and staff of The Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy. His family came. Some Cabinet members came. The First Lady of Azerbaijan came. It was a truly memorable event with important people, students, faculty, staff and family. They had all gathered to pay respect to a showcase of success in public service.

That night, for the first time in the past 18 years, I went on stage and spoke. I spoke about principles and values which define one’s identity. I spoke about a public servant who had served his country with dignity, integrity and honor. A man whose life and identity has shaped the landscape around him. Joining that man in his journey of public service has changed my own life forever. He has shown me an incredibly meaningful path in life. A life worth of living.

Here, I share a video of that speech. Most importantly, I share words by Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor to the US President. Dr. Brzezinski and Ambassador Pashayev were close friends. Zbigniew Brzezinski talks about aspirations, hopes, determination, being a devoted patriot, proud of being Azeri, pleased of being an independent Azeri. He says those early days were very special days. By all means they were.

Ambassador Pashayev not only possessed those qualities Dr. Brzezinski listed. He also managed to pass those qualities to everyone who has come in contact with him. Dr. Brzezinski concludes wishing him the best in “what I know will be a continuingly successful and important career in the service of your country, in the service of your people”.

Once they asked Mir Jalal Pashayev which one of his works was his masterpiece. Mir Jalal said his masterpiece was his family. That night, I told everyone Ambassafor Pashayev’s masterpiece was The Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA). On his behalf, I promised everyone we would build it into a university; not just any university, but a world-class university; that it would not be a private university, but a public one; that we would make sure it became the pride of that country; and that we would convert public’s support into cultivating a kind of citizens who would never stop serving the public cause. Looking back now, we have kept every single word of our promise.

Enjoy the rest of this article by visiting Galib Mammad’s website.