YOUTH ACTIVISM IN POLITICS AND CIVIC ISSUES Robert Ghazinyan September 29 ACNIS Youth Forum Yerevan 2010

7/3/2015Youth in politics27/3/2015Youth in politics2 Elections 2008  Two main opponents  Mostly young people were agitating for candidates  Their age was fluctuating from 15 to 22  The capabilities were not equal

7/3/2015Youth in politics37/3/2015Youth in politics3 Youth movements  MIAK was agitating for Serzh Sarkisyan  Young people from opposition were agitating as well  After elections opposition youth groups HIMA and HATUK GUND were established

7/3/2015Youth in politics4 Youth activism after elections and March 1st HIMA and HATUK GUND were organizing opposition youth rallies Police was trying to prevent rallies, but young people still struggled 7/3/2015Youth in politics4

7/3/2015Youth in politics5 Young activists  Many young people were brought to the police stations  Tigran Arakelyan and David Qiramijyan were arrested and put in jail 7/3/2015Youth in politics5

7/3/2015Youth in politics6 Civic movements On the basis of MIAK, the MIASIN youth movement was organized They are addressing corruption and environmental problems

7/3/2015Youth in politics7 Civic movements  “Save Teghut” movement and Mariam Sukhudyan  Architects against the decision to dismantle “Moscow” theatre Summer Hall

7/3/2015Youth in politics8 National issues and youth  Many young people participate in annual “March with Torches ” organized by Dashnaktsutiun party.  Youth were especially active in the movement against the Armenian- Turkish protocols in Armenia and throughout the diaspora as well

7/3/2015Youth in politics9 Reasons of activism  New generation since 1991, so called “Generation of Independence”  after the collapse of USSR political life in Armenia has been re-activated

7/3/2015Youth in politics10 Reasons of activism  Awareness of democratic values, human rights, freedom of expression  Experience on European standards & values  Opportunities to connect and change ideas with people all over the world

7/3/2015Youth in politics11 Situation out of Yerevan  Difficult social-economic conditions  Difficulties of getting education and finding a job  Lack of awareness  Under-developed multimedia systems  Emigration

7/3/2015Youth in politics12 What should be done  Special lessons in schools and universities about human rights and civil society  Force youth to think and make decisions in schools and universities  Create more space for work for the new generation in government and political parties

What should be done  Organize debates between young people of different parties  Not to use young people as a weapon against somebody or something  Support to youth movements and initiatives 7/3/2015Youth in politics13

Thank you for your attention