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October 7, 2002 For Immediate Release National Citizens’ Initiative
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The NCI Youth Committee, through a variety of real-life scenarios and applied exercises and games, tried to develop and refine the students’ decisionmaking, team building, negotiation skills with emphasis on discussing values and ethics. With great interest, the students heard Arousiak Sahakian, ethnographer, talk about the epic of David of Sasoon. The students also learned traditional Armenian songs and dances.
After the religious ceremony in the Kecharis St. Grigor Lusavorich church, the young leaders, around the bonfire, had the opportunity to meet with prominent public-political figures, statesmen, representatives of the Armenian Church.
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NCI founder Raffi K. Hovannisian, Peoples’ party leader Stepan Demirchian, Hanrapetutiun party leader Albert Bazeyan, National Assembly commission chairman Shavarsh Kocharian, NCI coordinator Hrach Hakobian, former Minister of Defense of Armenia, Lieutenant General Vagharshak Harutiunian, principal of Demirchian school Anahit Bakhshian, and NCI councilmember Arshavir Kapoudjian addressed the students.
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Speaking about state institutions and the current political situation in Armenia, Stepan Demirchian said: “You all know the problems we face at present. We cannot refrain from considering the political processes in the world, but have to gain the most from these procedures, preserving our ethnic and moral identity, our peculiarities. I strongly believe that there are future leaders among you who will be the followers of that identity.”
In his speech, Shavarsh Kocharian pointed out: “Today, the dream of our forefathers, to live in an independent Armenia, has come true. We attained triumph with the blood of our brothers and the best of our sons. However, today, we still have reason to be concerned. Our victories can be lost since emigration continues and the government has lost all credibility. We, together, have much work ahead of us. We are the masters of this land, and we, together, have to eliminate its downfalls.”
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Albert Bazeyan remarked: “We must cherish our national, spiritual and cultural values, cherish our statehood. To this end, we have to be a well organized nation and state: united around one ideology.”
Addressing the youth conclave, Raffi K. Hovannisian stated: “Dear students, it is in our hands to solve our problems. We hold the keys to our doors. You represent the hope, the faith, the self-confidence, the conviction that we hold for the Armenia which you shall build. Among you are our tiller and intellectual, soldier and general, tomorrow’s president and spiritual leader. A powerful potential and capability is in you and will be ours, if we are prudent and wise. In you are our tomorrow and the essence of our statehood in this new era. Become the master of your country by improving your skills, attaining a good education, and standing a pillar in your family.”
It was interesting to hear the impression of the participants. Aida of school number 7 of Etchmiatzin said: “We are so grateful to the organizers of this event. In two days, we gained much knowledge and learned the potential within us, as if just discovering ourselves.” Martoun Panosian of school number 19 named after Nikol Aghbalian added: “I am thankful for such a rich, educational and warm gathering. I would like very much to have the opportunity to participate again.”
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
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