OSCE Office supports civic involvement of young people in Armenia's regions

YEREVAN, 7 October 2008 - The OSCE Office in Yerevan and Armenia's Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding today to promote civic activism among young people in Armenia's regions.

The parties will work together to promote effective management of regional youth centres, and to support the centres in establishing partnerships with public organizations to share experiences and organize training sessions, workshops and discussions.

"We attach great importance to the civic involvement of young people in the regions, who have fewer opportunities compared with young people in Yerevan. Their increased participation in the activities and governance of the regional youth centres, we believe, will help to educate the next generation of democratic leaders in Armenia," said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, at the signing ceremony today.

"Investments made in the youth sphere are most beneficial since it is the young people who create the future of the country. Educated, healthy and socially protected youth today means a developed Armenia tomorrow," said Armen Grigoryan, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs.

The co-ordinators of the regional youth centres attended the signing of the memorandum. The Office also distributed OSCE publications for the newly-established "OSCE Corners" at the youth centres, which have been operating in Armenia's ten regions since 2006.