AZG Armenian Daily #113, 21/06/2005

Society

YOUTH RAISES THEIR PROBLEMS

“Youth, Reality, Prospects” youth congress was held in Yerevan on June 17.
Over 50 youth NGOs participated in the congress from Armenia, Nagorno
Karabakh and Javakhk. The representative of the youth NGOs will discuss and
submit to the consideration of the state bodies a number of issues they are
concerned about. In particular, the issues of the role the Armenian Diaspora
young men play in the relations between Armenia and Diaspora, the problems
of the village youth, issues concerning the national and patriotic
education, the role of the youth NGOs were discussed at the congress.

Nelly Simonian, representative from Vayots Dzor, put forward the issue of
village youth. She is sure that they should first of all raise their issues,
and only then they can expect some support from the adult. “If we create at
least various vacancies for the youth, the 50 per cent of the problems will
be discussed. Only after that we can speak of entertainment. The youth
leaves the village and soon the whole republic will be concentrated in
Yerevan only,” Nelly Simonian said.

The Youth Congress was organized at RA Culture and Youth Affairs Ministry.
The participants of the congress are determined to establish relations with
the NGOs in various regions of Armenia, in Artsakh and Javakhk, to elaborate
and carry out projects with them.

Lilit Asatrian, RA culture and youth affairs deputy minister, expressed hope
that by the end of the congress the youth will adopt a formula and deepen
cooperation with the state bodies and international organizations. Mrs.
Asatrian assured that the representatives of the ministry will be with the
participants of the congress during all its arrangements. They will
represent the state’s position concerning the issues put forward by the
youth and will try to find ways for settlement.

Besides, the congress, the youth represent their activities also in the
exhibition pavilions. The authors of the best reports and of the best
exhibition pavilion will be awarded special prizes by the end of the
congress.

By Tamar Minasian