July 1, 2002

For Immediate Release

The National Citizens' Initiative Convenes Young Leaders' Assembly

Raffi Hovannisian and Greta Sargsian Address Nationwide Youth

Lusakert, Armenia—More than 100 high-school seniors from all parts of the Republic gathered here between June 28 and 30 to take part in the first of a series of youth leadership workshops organized under the auspices of the National Citizens' Initiative (NCI).

Held at the scenic Lusakert Events Facility, the nationwide assembly brought together competitively-selected young leaders from 40 different public high schools across the country for training in decisionmaking, conflict resolution, and negotiation.

Through a variety of real-life scenarios and applied exercises, the young leaders addressed such critical issues as public accountability for public officials, graft and corruption, ethics and emigration, and reproduction of national values in the contemporary world. They were called upon to refine their decisionmaking skills and analytical capacity in a variety of relevant circumstances. Case studies requiring a discussion of ethical and legal issues were staged by the students.

Among the invited guests engaging the students during these activities and at the concluding bonfire were Mrs. Greta Sargsian, mother of Prime Minister and General Vazgen Sargsian, who was tragically killed in October 1999; Armenia's first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian; deputy Minister of Culture Alice Adamian and deputy Minister of Social Welfare Karine Hakobian; chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Education, Sports and Youth, Mr. Shavarsh Kocharian; former deputy Minister of Health, freedom-fighter Artak Zeinalian; NCI Coordinator and former Minister of State Mr. Hrach Hakobyan; Dr. Haik Sargsian, NCI Councilmember and dean of Yerevan State University's department of economics; Dr. Hranush Kharatian, NCI Councilmember and professor of ethnology at Yerevan State University; Demirjian High School principal and public activist Anahit Bakhshian; Junior Achievement executive director Armenouhi Hovannisian; and the Paul Kazarian family of Providence, RI. Acclaimed literary figure Vera Hakobian recited an array of Armenian poems, Father Shahe Hairapetian provided inspiration from the Armenian Church, and renowned singers Nersik Isbirian and Artur Isbirian struck the intersection between traditional roots and modern hues.

In addressing the youth conclave, Raffi Hovannisian remarked: "It is your generation that will be called upon to make the most crucial decisions of modern Armenian history, to define and enforce vital national interests, to run the affairs of state, to empower the body politic, and to finalize development of a citizen-based society. This is no easy calling; but it is yours. And for that you must be armed with scholastic foundations, intellectual depth, personal self-confidence, conscientious reasoning, and faith in yourselves and the future of our nation."

In an emotional appeal to tomorrow's leaders, Mrs. Sargsian, endearingly known as Greta Mairik, said: "Love our country. Learn about the history and the rich culture and heritage of our people. Honor the memory of our martyrs and continue loving and serving our homeland in their spirit."

NCI's first leadership training assembly concluded with the participants' evaluation and self-critique of the weekend program. David Matevosyan, Yerevan School No 174, age 16: "This initiative is very important for young students. We learned to be a leader and to serve the people rather than our self- interests. Moreover, it seems that we had forgotten about our national values, and in these two days, we realized that without these values we could not build a lawful and powerful nation."

Hasmik Mnatsakanyan, Raffi High School of Yerevan, age 16: "I am sure that the leadership camp organized by the National Citizens' Initiative will inspire the youth to become exemplary leaders, to develop and initiate new and interesting programs. I am proud that I had the opportunity to meet popular public figures, especially Mr. Raffi Hovannisian, from whom we, tomorrow's leaders, have a lot to learn."

The National Citizens' Initiative is a public nonprofit association founded in December 2001 by Raffi Hovannisian, his colleagues, and fellow citizens with the purpose of realizing the rule of law and overall improvements in the state of the state, society, and public institutions. The National Citizens' Initiative is guided by a Coordinating Council, which includes individual citizens and representatives of various public, scientific, and educational establishments. Five commissions on Law and State Administration, Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy, Spiritual and Cultural Challenges, and the Youth constitute the vehicles for the Initiative's work and outreach.

For further information, please call (3741) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax (3741) 52-48-46; e-mail info@nci.am or NCI_Aghababyan@yahoo.com.