Events

Political Clubs Discussions

PROSPECTS OF PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE REGION

As part of the “Launching Political Clubs in Bordering Regions of Armenia” project, a second discussion was held in the Gegharkunik region in collaboration with the “Bayazet” Center NGO. This discussion was dedicated to the peace and security trends in the region. Political scientist, President of Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan and security expert, Vice-director of Caucasus Institute Sergey Minasyan shared insights on the topic. Participants included active citizens and students from various communities of Gegharkunik. The project is supported by the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Political Clubs Discussions

THE CONSEQUENCES OF POTENTIAL OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER

As part of the “Launching Political Clubs in Bordering Regions of Armenia” project, a second discussion was held in the Armavir region in collaboration with the Armavir Development Center. This session focused on the potential opening of the Armenian-Turkish border and its impact on the regional economy. The discussion featured insights from political scientist Hrant Mikaelyan and turkologist Artak Shakaryan, a Candidate of Historical Sciences. Participants included active citizens, students, business leaders, and agriculturalists from various communities of Armavir. The project is supported by the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Political Clubs Discussions

CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN OF “ACADEMIC CITY”

Under the auspices of “Launching Political Clubs in Bordering Regions of Armenia” project the first discussion was implemented in Gegharkunik region in cooperation with “Bayazet” Center NGO. During the discussion participants from various communities of Gegharkunik discussed the issues related to the conceptual master plan of the “Academic City” with Dean of the College of Business and Economics at the American University of Armenia Vache Gabrielyan and education expert Serob Khachatryan. The “Launching Political Clubs in Bordering Regions of Armenia” project is supported by the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Political Clubs Discussions

PROSPECTS OF ARMENIA’S FOREIGN POLICY

Under the auspices of “Launching Political Clubs in Bordering Regions of Armenia” project the first discussion was implemented in Lori region in cooperation with “NGO” Center. The discussion was dedicated to the foreign policy of Armenia. The participants discussed issues related to the visions of Armenia’s future with Associate Professor of YSU International Relations and Diplomacy Chair, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Shavarsh Kocharyan and Journalist and Host at CivilNet TV Arshaluys Mghdesyan. The “Launching Political Clubs in Bordering Regions of Armenia” project is supported by the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Political Clubs Discussions

INTRODUCTION OF NEW EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS

In July “Launching Political Clubs in Bordering Regions of Armenia” project kicked off its second. The first discussion was held in Armavir region. Thymen Kouwenaar, the Deputy head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands made the opening remarks. Under the auspices of Armavir Development Center, teachers and educational workers of Armavir region discussed the introduction of new educational standards with education expert Serine Avetisyan and Director of NCEDI Foundation Artashes Torosyan. The “Launching Political Clubs in Bordering Regions of Armenia” project is supported by the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Workshop

PROMOTING FUTURE ORIENTED YOUTH DIALOGUES

On July 25, “Promoting Future Oriented Youth Dialogues” project launched in Goris, Syunik, with a workshop hosted by Goris Press Club. Youth from various communities in Syunik participated, envisioning the future of Syunik and Armenia over the next 15-20 years in areas like security, foreign policy, migration, economy, and education. They identified barriers to achieving this ideal future, mapped relevant stakeholders, and proposed key actions to address current challenges. However, the workshop revealed that the youth’s vision for the future is pretty blurry and controversial. Imagining the ideal region/country they would like to live in turns out to be extremely challenging, let alone the ways to overcome the existing obstacles.
The workshop was held in the framework of the project “Promoting Future Oriented Youth Dialogues”, implemented by the Caucasus Institute in cooperation with the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law. The project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Lecture

EMERGENCE AND EVOLUTION OF DEMOCRACY

On June 25 Caucasus Institute organized a public lecture at the Artsakh State University which was conducted by the Director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan and research fellow of the Caucasus Institute Gor Petrosyan. The lecture was hosted by Artsakh State University. During the lecture speakers touched upon the origins and grounds of emergence of democracy. During lecture the speakers represented to the audience the historical preconditions for the emergence of democracy, historical stages and stages of transformation of democracy. Speakers in detail explained the meaning of democracy in modern world, the systems and requirements needed to fulfill in order to be named democracy.

The lecture was followed by a Q&A session, where the participants of the lecture discussed the theoretical backgrounds and the threats democracy faces today. The issue of competence in democratic societies also was touched upon. The students and lecturers of Artsakh State University were also interested about local, regional and international processes and developments.

The lectures are held in the framework of a project on Building Capacity for Societal Engagement in Nagorno-Karabakh implemented by the Caucasus Institute in partnership with Armavir Development Centre, Civil Society Institute and INTRA Mental Health Centre with support from the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.

Workshop

PEACE OR WAR: CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

On June 28, 2019 the Caucasus Institute hosted a workshop at the National Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh on societal engagement in decision-making over the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
CI expert Nina Iskandaryan moderated the first part of the workshop. Ms. Iskandaryan conducted a brainstorming activity, engaging the participants in examining the level of freedoms and democracy in their society, drawing conclusions regarding their role in the peacebuilding activities, as well as in determining political and social life of their country.

CI research fellow Gor Petrosyan touched upon the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, highlighting the fact that the keys to the conflict resolution do not lay in Paris, Moscow or elsewhere. The axis of the conflict is Yerevan-Stepanakert-Baku, where the societies are more radical than the elites. Inasmuch as they influence the political leadership, a shift in societal perceptions is necessary. The speaker generated a debate-discussion concerning the role of a citizen in this particular context. Alexander Iskandaryan, Director of the Caucasus Institute made some final remarks and answered to the questions of the participants regarding citizen participation, upcoming elections in Karabakh etc.

The workshop is part of a project on Building Capacity for Societal Engagement in Nagorno-Karabakh implemented by the Caucasus Institute in partnership with Armavir Development Centre, Civil Society Institute and INTRA Mental Health Centre with support from the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.

Debate

DEBATE ON “ANTI-CORRUPTION EXPERIENCE IN THE EU MEMBER STATES: WHAT CAN ARMENIA LEARN?”

Anti-Corruption Experience in the EU Member States: What Can Armenia Learn? This was the topic of a youth political debate held at the Caucasus Institute on July 18, 2019. At the beginning, Gor Petrosyan, CI research fellow, presented Romania’s anti-corruption experience.

The participants were divided into four groups representing:
• Anti-corruption Commission
• Members of a legislature (the ruling party members)
• Parliamentary opposition
• Private sector

The first part of the event unfolded in two stages:
• First, one general question was asked, in response to which each of the debating teams delivered a speech. Then the teams proceeded with Q&A.
• The second stage was a quiz that was followed by the final presentations of the debating teams summarizing the debates.

The main question raised during the first stage of the second part of the event was: what is the fight against corruption?

The second stage, a quiz included but was not limited to the following questions:
– Is the fight against corrupt officials actually fight against corruption?
– Is there only financial corruption?
– Minor or major corruption? Which is more dangerous?
– Does democracy contribute to the fight against corruption?
After the debate, participants shared their impressions of the event.
The program is a joint initiative of the Caucasus Institute (Armenia) and Expert Forum (EFOR, Romania) supported by the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, a Project of The The German Marshall Fund of the United States.
Opinions expressed in the print brochure do not necessarily represent those of the Black Sea Trust or its partners.

Roundtable

ARMENIA AND ROMANIA: COMMUNITY, COOPERATION AND PERSPECTIVES

On July 23, 2019 a round table-discussion on “Armenia and Romania: community, cooperation and perspectives” was organised at the Caucasus Institute. Lianna Khachatrian, a participant of a study visit to Romania, journalist, shared her comments on the minorities in Romania (on the example of the Armenian community). Arshaluis Mghdesyan, another participant of a study visit, journalist, presented the Romania’s experience in fight against corruption. Dr. Sergey Minasyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia in Romania was also present at the event.
The event was organized within the framework of the Transition Experience Exchange between Romania and Armenia program, implemented by the Caucasus Institute. The program is a joint initiative of the Caucasus Institute (Armenia) and Expert Forum (EFOR, Romania) supported by the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, a Project of The German Marshall Fund of the United States. Opinions expressed during the discussion do not necessarily represent those of the Black Sea Trust or its partners.

Tea party

DEMOCRACY, DEMOCRATIZATION AND ELECTIONS

Do we have the right to complain about our own choices after elections? Or should we keep silent and just accept our responsibility for the choices contemplating the repercussions? That was one of the questions that were discussed during the CI Tea Party held in Stepanakert on September 12, 2019 and moderated by Alexander Iskandaryan, Director of the Caucasus Institute.
The discussions are held in the framework of a project on Building Capacity for Societal Engagement in Nagorno-Karabakh implemented by the Caucasus Institute in partnership with Armavir Development Centre, Civil Society Institute and INTRA Mental Health Centre with support from the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. The opinions and statements that will be made and discussed during the event may not coincide with the official position of the UK Government.

Lecture

EMERGENCE OF DEMOCRACY AND ITS TYPES

As young democracies, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia have a long way to go in order to develop the culture of elections and conscious voting and responsibility for one’s vote. Yet, unlike developed democracies, the new ones at least have examples, which can help accelerate that process. This idea was voiced by Alexander Iskandaryan, director of the Caucasus Institute during the “Emergence of democracy and its types” lecture at Artsakh State University in Stepanakert on September 12, 2019. The discussions are held in the framework of a project on Building Capacity for Societal Engagement in Nagorno-Karabakh implemented by the Caucasus Institute in partnership with Armavir Development Centre, Civil Society Institute and INTRA Mental Health Centre with support from the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. The opinions and statements that were made and discussed during the event may not coincide with the official position of the UK Government.