On March 15, 2024 The Armenian Multiparty Democracy Academy (ARMDA) was officially launched in Yerevan. The project is implemented in cooperation with the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and is funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The project aims to create a new generation of politically aspiring youth who are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to become influential leaders and advocates for democracy and civic engagement in Armenia, promoting a culture of democracy, participation, and youth leadership.
During the opening ceremony, the main objectives, components, and expected results of the project were presented. Additionally, opportunities for cooperation were discussed. The participants then engaged in a panel discussion reflecting on the role of dialogue platforms for youth in strengthening democracy in Armenia.
Ambassadors accredited to Armenia, representatives from political parties, policymakers, decision-makers, youth, researchers, and experts attended the event.
In her opening speech, Margarita Hakobyan, the Executive Director of the OxYGen Foundation, expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for their financial support of this vital project and emphasized that The Armenian Multiparty Democracy Academy is aligned with OxYGen’s strategic direction of youth empowerment.
“It is vital to unlock the potential of young people in politics, civic engagement, and leadership. This program aims to achieve just that,” mentioned Margarita Hakobyan in her speech.
Ambassador Jaap Frederiks, Charge d’ Affairs of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Armenia, welcomed the attendees and expressed hope that the Academy will play an important role in strengthening democracy in Armenia.
“We hope that this Academy will be a community where people with different backgrounds meet, where people have the opportunity to match different backgrounds, to understand one another, teach one another and go forward together,” mentioned Mr Ambassador.
Thijs Berman, the executive director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, greeted the attendees, highlighted the activities of the the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy and the background of this initiative.
“You are the ones who will overcome the deep polarization in the country because you have learned to respect each other, to listen to each other and to see how you can find solutions bridging the divides, going beyond the divides and making this country together,” Mr Berman noted.
Artur Martirosyan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, greeted the attendees and noted. “The vitality of democracy implies the continuous exercise of active citizenship by its citizens. And this is possible if young people have the appropriate skills and knowledge, which is what The Armenian Multiparty Democracy Academy is aimed at.”
Karen Ayvazyan, the program manager of the OxYGen foundation started his speech with the following words: “Now, if you ask me what the Academy is about, I would say: the Academy is about the present.” Then, he confidently presented insightful details about ARMDA, including its objectives, components, current results, trainers, and the meticulous preparations made before the Academy.
Following this, the participants of ARMDA, Ani Mkhitaryan, Arthur Simonyan, Iskuhi Mirzoyan, and Hrant Sarkisov, engaged in a riveting panel discussion moderated by Valentina Gevorgyan, PhD, on the indispensable role of dialogue platforms for youth in strengthening democracy in Armenia.
The event also featured empowering final observations from Thijs Berman, the executive director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, and Armen Sahakyan, NIMD representative in Armenia. It was proudly noted that the speakers of the panel discussion were specifically chosen by the Academy participants.
The event participants also shared their opinions and posed questions to the panel discussion participants.
The Academy has been in session since February 3, providing impactful training sessions, thought-provoking debates, and engaging guest speakers on various topics related to democracy.
