1 Civic Activism Yerevan 2010 Hripsime Yeghoyan 29 September 2010 ACNIS Youth Forum

2 Agenda What Does Activism Mean? What Does Activism Mean? Types of Activism Types of Activism Civic Activism Civic Activism Armenian Specifics of Civic Activism Armenian Specifics of Civic Activism Mass demonstrations in 1965Mass demonstrations in 1965 February protests & December 7th earthquake in 1988February protests & December 7th earthquake in 1988 February 2008 post-election crisisFebruary 2008 post-election crisis Civil Rights and Freedoms in Constitution of RA Civil Rights and Freedoms in Constitution of RA Conclusion Conclusion

3 What Does Activism Mean? Involvement in action to bring about change, be it social, political, environmental, or other change. This action is in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial argument. Involvement in action to bring about change, be it social, political, environmental, or other change. This action is in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial argument.

4 Types of Activism Types of Activism PoliticalEnviromentalCivicSocialJudicialCultural

5 Civic Activism

6 Armenian Specifics of Civic Activism 1965, mass demonstrations in front of the Opera House on the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide 1965, mass demonstrations in front of the Opera House on the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

7 Armenian Specifics of Civic Activism February 1988, Armenian demonstrations in Yerevan for Nagorno Karabakh’s secession from Azerbaijan February 1988, Armenian demonstrations in Yerevan for Nagorno Karabakh’s secession from Azerbaijan December 7, 1988, devastating earthquake December 7, 1988, devastating earthquake

8 Armenian Specifics of Civic Activism February 2008, thousands protest results of Armenia’s 5th presidential elections February 2008, thousands protest results of Armenia’s 5th presidential elections

9 Civil Rights and Freedoms in Constitution of RA Article 27. Everyone is entitled to assert his or her opinion. No one shall be forced to retract or change his or her opinion. Everyone is entitled to freedom of speech, including the freedom to seek, receive and disseminate information and ideas through any medium of information, regardless of state borders. Article 29. Citizens are entitled to hold peaceful and unarmed meetings, rallies, demonstrations and processions.

10 Conclusion Current situation Looking to the future