YOUTH ACTIVISM IN POLITICS AND CIVIC ISSUES

Robert Ghazinyan
September 29 ACNIS Youth Forum

Yerevan 2010

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

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Youth in politics

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

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Youth in politics

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

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Youth in politics

Young activists

Many young people were brought to the police stations Tigran Arakelyan and David Qiramijyan were arrested and put in jail

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Youth in politics

Civic movements
On the basis of MIAK, the MIASIN youth movement was organized They are addressing corruption and environmental problems

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Youth in politics

Civic movements

Save Teghut movement and Mariam Sukhudyan Architects against the decision to dismantle Moscow theatre Summer Hall

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Youth in politics

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 ArmenianTurkish protocols in Armenia and throughout the diaspora as well

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Youth in politics

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

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Youth in politics

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

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Youth in politics

10

Situation out of Yerevan

Difficult social-economic conditions Difficulties of getting education and finding a job Lack of awareness Under-developed multimedia systems Emigration

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Youth in politics

11

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

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Youth in politics

12

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

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Youth in politics

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Thank you for your attention