Biography

Arzu is a pioneering peace activist and conflictologist in Azerbaijan's democratic movement since 1988, with a focus on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, human rights, and democracy. She is a Co-chair of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly (HCA) International (2000–2012) and has led Azerbaijan's National Committee of HCA since 1992. The HCA is an international NGO network advocating for peace, diversity, and human rights across Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Her contributions have been recognized with the Olof Palme Peace Prize (1993), the US–EU Marshall Prize for Democracy Building (1998), and the Netherlands Helsinki Committee Civil Society Award (2015).

Research Interests

Peace and Conflict Studies, War and Peace, The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, Caucasus, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iranian Studies, Middle East.