The 2nd Forum of the Federation of Youth Clubs kicked off today.

By the decision of the first forum held in 2009, the forum became ongoing and will be held at least once every two years. Two years ago the forum saw a turnout of more than 40 youth clubs (organizations).

After the first forum, the Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia was joined by nearly 30 clubs, meaning that it also expanded its geography and included Yerevan, the regions of Armenia, as well as Artsakh and Javakhk.

“We hope this will help us bring the youth together. After all, several clubs have been established in the past two years, and the others don’t know about them,” says President of FYCA Atom Mkhitaryan, mentioning that this year the majority of the clubs are youth clubs from the regions of Armenia. According to him, the clubs from Shirak, Vayots Dzor, Armavir and Kotayk regions are the most active.

The forum raises issues concerning youth in the given period, and in just three days it will be clear as to what the youth are concerned about. “I can only predict that the youth will present more social problems due to the social-economic situation of Armenia. In any case, the forum will be followed by analyses,” says Atom Mkhitaryan.

The forum will lead to the creation of groups that will propose their versions for solving the issues raised. Some of those issues can be solved through the groups’ combined efforts, while others can be solved by the FYCA. As for issues, the solutions to which are more complicated, the youth will appeal to the corresponding bodies, especially the ministry coordinating the youth sector so that those issues are included in the government’s plans.

During the opening ceremony of the forum, representative of the RA Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs Melanya Baghdasaryan assured that the ministry would be willing to support the participants in implementing any initiative that they propose.

FYCA coordinator in Kotayk region Sirarpi Manyan says youth discussed the fact that youth are very passive during the last forum and adds that it seems as though that issue is not too apparent now due to the development of the NGO sector. “This time we will raise the issue of youth of the regions participating in international programs such as seminars, exchange programs and more. The youth are more involved with daily issues than community service, meaning that they should become more involved in international programs.”

On August 12 at 12:00 there will be a flashmob on Abovyan Street, followed by the reading of the FYCA’s message which will include everything that the youth have concluded as a result of the discussions. There will also be concrete proposals to not only corresponding bodies, but international organizations as well. In the evening the participants will join the dance flashmob organized by Yerevan Municipality near Swan Lake in Yerevan.

Tsovinar Karapetyan