OSCE organizes youth debates in Armenia

YEREVAN, 27 November 2015 – A national debate contest on the role of the OSCE in ensuring security was launched today in in Yerevan, marking the 40th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act.

The contest is organized by the Jinishian Memorial Foundation (JMF) with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, bringing together  40 students from seven universities in Yerevan, Ijevan, Gavar, Gyumri, Goris, Kapan and Vanadzor, and giving them the opportunity to improve their public speaking and debating skills.

The participants have been divided into eight teams of five people. The two best teams will meet in the finals taking place tomorrow, after which the winner will be announced. The contest is being assessed by an independent panel composed of NGO representatives.

“For me, the main achievement of taking part in the debate was to be able to look at an issue from different viewpoints,” said Qajik Harutyunyan, a debate participant who is a third-year student at the Geography Department of Gyumri’s State Pedagogical Institute. “The debate also taught me how to use different sources of information, how to collect information quickly and effectively, and how to make a logical and strong argument.”

Prior to the debate, students learnt about the OSCE, including its history and work.

University debate clubs have been established in six regional towns and in Yerevan to foster the civic activism of youth through participation.