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OSCE ENHANCES STUDENTS' ACTIVISM THROUGH DEBATES IN ARMENIA
armradio.am
12:53 20.11.2012
Seven teams of students from Yerevan and Armenian regions will gather
today and tomorrow in Yerevan for the final debate.
The students will debate and defend their views on important social
issues such as the fight against corruption, domestic violence and
Armenia's integration into the European Union.
Under this project, university debate clubs in the universities
of Gyumri, Vanadzor, Ijevan, Gavar, Kapan, Goris and Yerevan were
established, each club involving some 40 students. Prior to the finals,
the students took part in 21 intra-university debates.
"Exchange of ideas and opinions is the bedrock of democracy, and
fostering debate culture among young people is vital in this respect,"
said Oliver McCoy, Democratization Programme Officer of the OSCE
Office in Yerevan. "The process of researching a topic, becoming
versed in a subject, and defending for your points is an invaluable
experience. Debating makes you smarter, more flexible and responsive;
it is a skill that will help these young people develop into active
and aware citizens,"
Ruben Krikian, Civil Society and Education Programme Co-ordinator at
the Jinishian Memorial Foundation, added: "We have been successful
in organizing high-school debates' club throughout Armenia for a
number of years now. Organizing a similar initiative for university
students was a challenge, but it turned out to be a useful exercise
for students to help them enhance their presentation skills and clearly
shape their viewpoints on social, economic and political issues".
As part of the project, the OSCE Office also supported three TV debates
with the participation of university students. The debates focused on
the work of the Human Rights Defender's Office, women quotas during
the elections and the regulation of internet and the new media.
The initiative is implemented by the Jinishian Memorial Foundation
with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. It aims to promote
civic activism and to bolster the development of a debate club network
in Armenia.
From: Baghdasarian
armradio.am
12:53 20.11.2012
Seven teams of students from Yerevan and Armenian regions will gather
today and tomorrow in Yerevan for the final debate.
The students will debate and defend their views on important social
issues such as the fight against corruption, domestic violence and
Armenia's integration into the European Union.
Under this project, university debate clubs in the universities
of Gyumri, Vanadzor, Ijevan, Gavar, Kapan, Goris and Yerevan were
established, each club involving some 40 students. Prior to the finals,
the students took part in 21 intra-university debates.
"Exchange of ideas and opinions is the bedrock of democracy, and
fostering debate culture among young people is vital in this respect,"
said Oliver McCoy, Democratization Programme Officer of the OSCE
Office in Yerevan. "The process of researching a topic, becoming
versed in a subject, and defending for your points is an invaluable
experience. Debating makes you smarter, more flexible and responsive;
it is a skill that will help these young people develop into active
and aware citizens,"
Ruben Krikian, Civil Society and Education Programme Co-ordinator at
the Jinishian Memorial Foundation, added: "We have been successful
in organizing high-school debates' club throughout Armenia for a
number of years now. Organizing a similar initiative for university
students was a challenge, but it turned out to be a useful exercise
for students to help them enhance their presentation skills and clearly
shape their viewpoints on social, economic and political issues".
As part of the project, the OSCE Office also supported three TV debates
with the participation of university students. The debates focused on
the work of the Human Rights Defender's Office, women quotas during
the elections and the regulation of internet and the new media.
The initiative is implemented by the Jinishian Memorial Foundation
with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. It aims to promote
civic activism and to bolster the development of a debate club network
in Armenia.
From: Baghdasarian