On International Youth Day, August 12, RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan and Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan met with the youth in Aparan, the youth capital of Armenia.
As part of the holiday's events, sports and entertainment competitions, a youth conference featuring thematic panel discussions, motivational speeches with the participation of successful youth initiatives, and informational exhibitions were held in Aparan. The festivities in Aparan will wrap up with the concert by renowned singer Gor Sujyan
Congratulating the youth on the holiday, Zhanna Andreasyan stated that this year's UN theme, “Local Youth Actions for the Sustainable Development Goals and Beyond,” emphasizes the significant contribution of young people to community life. According to her, Aparan is one of the best examples of this: thanks to the initiative of local youth, the city is becoming more beautiful, well-kept, vibrant, and meaningful day by day.
“Youth is the stage of life when one should envision big goals and move confidently toward their realization. All big goals start with a change in environment and are achieved only through consistent daily effort. The world cannot become better if our communities and immediate surroundings are not better. The picture as a whole is made up of individual components: the effort we put into our communities is also changing our country,” the ESCS Minister said.
She also emphasized the significance of youth participation in the decision-making process, noting that youth councils are being established in various communities in Armenia, which fosters a connection between young people and state bodies. Starting this spring, the ESCS Ministry has introduced a special reception day for schoolchildren, students, and youth, during which the Minister personally listens to their suggestions and concerns without a set agenda.
Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized that attention to the youth should go beyond a one-day event each year: they should be included and have a voice in every major discussion. According to the Minister, the new law “On Youth Policy” provides an opportunity to make this process institutionalized and ongoing.
Concluding her speech, Zhanna Andreasyan addressed the young people: “Make the most of your youth and keep learning, so that each day you grow stronger, more capable, and better prepared to tackle the challenges we face. Your strength, prosperity, and happiness reflect the strength and well-being of our country. It is happy individuals and citizens who form a happy state.”
Governor of Aragatsotn Region Sergey Movsisyan also extended his welcome and congratulations to the participants of the event.
On the occasion of International Youth Day, events were also held in Yerevan and around 96 settlements in all regions of Armenia, including sports and cultural programs, intellectual games, film screenings, theatrical performances, and thematic discussions. The events were organized at the initiative of state and public institutions, creating a platform for recognizing and encouraging the potential, voice, and creative initiatives of young people. The event program was developed based on a preliminary online survey, which identified the preferences, interests, and preferred forms of youth participation.
