Everything is built based on the system of values. Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the Founding Member of the US Alumni Association of Armenia, President of Armenian Lawyers’ Association (ALA), Coordinator of the Secretariat of CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition said at the seminar organized in the scope of “Young Citizens take Action” Program implemented by the USAAA. He specifically said, “Everything is based on the system of values. The system of values that you have chosen shall guide you in the course of conscious life.” Mr. Zadoyan brought an example from the university system: “Let’s consider that students are accepted to the university paying bribes and graduate it with bribes and sponsorship. Naturally they gain black values. In other words, the person, how gave money as a bribe, then tries to get it back in the form of receiving bribes. For me, the system of values is priority.”
On Karen Zadoyan’s initiative, which had the aim to explain the system of values to the young citizens, the students participated in the game of anti-corruption values. They split into three groups. Members of each group chose 3 most important anti-corruption values from the provided list. They were legitimate power (20 votes), social justice (17 votes) and impartiality (15 votes).
The “Young Citizens take Action” Program will enable the youth to pass their values and ideas to the public.
Miss Ani Ordyan, student of YSU, is from the bordering Aygedzor Community of Tavush region. She says that the program enables them to understand the community issues in depth and to view the problems from different aspects. Thanks to the program Ani has decided to develop cultural and sport centers in the village. She noted that there is no transport in the village and the fact is a real hindering problem for the population. “I have the aim to organize a cycling club through which we shall provide children with bicycles. Further we shall organize training and the bicycles will serve as a means of transportation for children. Children can help the elderly with their shopping.”
Tigran Mughnetsyan, student of department of Political Sciences is sure that the basis of all our existing problems in our country is corruption which snatched the vital forces of the society, “We decided that the priority should be to address the reasons of causes; try to identify and recommend anti-corruption mechanisms to the public and establish preventive mechanisms,” he said.
“Young Citizens take Action” Program is a ten-month project aimed at the creation and development of literacy and civic values, which aims to raise the level of civic consciousness among youth through providing appropriate knowledge and skills. The program is administered by the US Alumni Association of Armenia, with support of the US Embassy.
Participants gain the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in the scope of the project in in areas of public interest such as leadership, fight against corruption, civic education and good public governance, volunteering, etc.
