YOUTH EMPOWERMENT - Civic and Social Engagement

Youth in the Former Soviet Union

The citizens of the Former Soviet Union (“USSR”) including Armenia, historically lack both entrepreneurial and capitalism experience since all commercial enterprises were state-controlled and institutionalized.  Self-motivation and capitalism was stifled among the youth for decades.   After the fall of the Soviet Union, Armenia was in a position of democratic self-determination.  Civil society participative public services were, and arguably still today, in an embryonic state.  Seventy years of state socialism stripped people of a capacity to think and plan for themselves.   After the fall of communism, the Armenian people sought ideas and advice from the West, though it was rarely clear where to turn when the thoughts and perspectives of others derived from very different cultural, political, economic and social traditions. 

Propaganda Images:  “Don’t talk too much!” and “People and Army are united!” 

The post-Soviet period

After the end of the Soviet period, Armenia literally faced a “dark age”.  As Glasnost and Perestroika heralded the end of the USSR, the earthquake of 1988 resulted in over 25,000 deaths in Armenia.  The wars with neighboring Azerbaijan over the enclave called Nagorno-Karabakh, led to the displacement and exodus of thousands of Armenians from that territory and the rest of Azerbaijan.   Armenia is a country of three million people but includes an active diaspora of roughly 11 million Armenians living worldwide due to mass migration outflows.  There were wild economic transformations and fluctuations which at one point led to the rationing of electricity to two hours a day and bread rations of only 400 grams a day.  During this period, young people saw little future for themselves in Armenia.  The old Soviet system of “youth work” had predictably broken down the spirits and questioned any newfound hope or optimism for the Armenian People.  Not surprisingly, the Youth Movements of Armenia possess the resilience to triumph these obstacles of gloom, poverty and despair.

Armenia’s “Velvet Revolution of 2018” heralds new hope for the Youth

The presence of young people in decision-making positions benefits all citizens not just the youth.  The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reports that people between the ages of 20 and 44 make up 57% of the world’s voting age population but only 26% of the world’s Members of Parliament (MPs). Young people under 30 represent 1.9% of the world’s MPs with more than 80% of the world’s upper houses of Parliament having no MPs under 30 years of age. While young people often play central and catalyzing roles in movements for democracy around the world, they are less engaged than older generations in voting and party activism. Together, these trends have inspired us to study the lack of youth political participation and to support training youth activists to become politically involved.

Young people are often excluded or overlooked as political candidates. Politics is typically regarded as a space for politically experienced men, and while women are often disadvantaged in accumulating experience to run for office and young people are systematically marginalized because of their young age, limited opportunities, and projected lack of experience.

Due to youth discriminatory practices, and despite police brutality, mass arrests and periodic threats from the regime, a peaceful protest arose in April 2018 “the Velvet Revolution”.  These protests snowballed in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan with demonstrators soon joined by thousands of students who left universities and schools to join the movement.  After one month of demonstrating, a new government was elected not only to prevent the old government from staying in power indefinitely but to change the political and economic model.  The past soviet styled model was suppressing economic freedom, enabling monopolies to flourish, undermining the judiciary, corrupting state officials, and imposing severe austerity on the poorest members of society.

Our team at the Inti Raymi Fund was inspired into action after these peaceful protests in Armenia.  With overwhelming people-power in the streets, there appeared to be no alternative to genuine democracy.  Social justice and economic fairness was yielded by the elites to this grass-roots progressive campaign fighting for justice.  As a consequence of the protests, their leader, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan was newly elected as the Minister of the Diaspora of Armenia.  This made history as he is the youngest minster in the history of Armenia.  Mkhitar and our Human Rights Advisor Anas Talalqa have been close friends since 2014 when they met to study together the importance of Youth in Peace Education. The IRF was inspired by the creative forces, innovation and self-determination among the young people in Armenia led by Mkhitar.  The IRF team was fortunate to be able visit with Mkhitar while in Armenia. The IRF is supporting the Armenian Youth Non-Profit Organization, helping them to continue their successes through youth training in activism and political involvement.  

Globally connected – Locally engaged

Actions speak louder than words!  Supporting “active citizenship” allows people the confidence to stand up and be heard, which makes a difference in their communities and country.  During our time in Armenia we met with the non-profit team called Loesje Armenia.  This self-determined group of Armenian young leaders are effecting change in Armenian communities through organizing projects and trainings focused on personal development of young people and Intercultural learning and active citizenship.  Loesje Armenia has organized and hosted large numbers of local and international youth exchanges, trainings courses, summer camps and seminars for Armenian and other international youth. These functions have brought together over 7,000 young people from more than 50 countries, broadening their perspectives and empowering them to be active citizens and entrepreneurs.

Our support is focused towards young people who are socially responsible, influential and engaged at the local community level.  The IRF is helping the Loesje team in Armenia to create a platform for youth workers, human rights activists, community development professionals and volunteers. Through our support, Loesje will help enhance leadership and project-management skills of youth, and give participants the personal confidence to succeed in all aspects of their lives.