YOUTH ACTIVISM IN
POLITICS AND CIVIC ISSUES
Robert Ghazinyan
September 29
ACNIS Youth Forum
Yerevan 2010
Elections 2008
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Mostly young people were agitating for
candidates
Their age was fluctuating from 15 to 22
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The capabilities were not equal
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4/13/2015
Two main opponents
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Youth movements
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4/13/2015
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 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
4/13/2015
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Young activists
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4/13/2015
Many young people
were brought to the
police stations
Tigran Arakelyan and
David Qiramijyan
were arrested and put
in jail
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Civic movements
On the basis of MIAK, the
MIASIN youth movement
was organized
They are addressing
corruption and
environmental problems
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Civic movements
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4/13/2015
“Save Teghut”
movement and Mariam
Sukhudyan
Architects against the
decision to dismantle
“Moscow” theatre
Summer Hall
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National issues and youth
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4/13/2015
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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Reasons of activism
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4/13/2015
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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Reasons of activism
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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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Situation out of Yerevan
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Difficult social-economic conditions
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Difficulties of getting education and finding a job
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Lack of awareness
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Under-developed multimedia systems
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Emigration
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What should be done
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4/13/2015
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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What should be done
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4/13/2015
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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Thank you for your attention