YOUTH PROBLEMS AND CONCERNS IN ARMENIA – TODAY MARKS WORLD YOUTH DAY
10:35 * 10.11.14
Today marks the World Youth Day.
On November 10, 1945, the World Federation of Democratic Youth was
founded on the sidelines of an international youth conference in
London with an aim of uniting young poeple, struggling for peace and
protecting the rights of the young generation. Ever since, the day
has been celebrated annually to raise the world’s attention to the
problems and expectations of the youth.
On this remarkable occasion, Tert.am has conducted a short survey
to figure out the problems and concerns of the Armenian youth, and
their vision of future.
Arsen Karamyan, a deputy minister of sport and youth affairs, says
he finds that young people in Armenia are preoccupied in the same
concerns as the youth around the globe.
“I first of all mean the existing vast number of socio-economic
problems that emerged in the wake of the 2008 financial-economic
recession. Understandably, the Armenian youth is not isolated from
those difficulties,” he said.
Karamyan cited the employment issue, quality education and the existing
socio-economic challenges as the major problems facing the youth today.
He said he believes that the youth needs to work much to promote
positive changes. “In any society, the youth is the most receptive
and most active segment; and so is it here. So in order to change
something, long and tireless work is necessary. I don’t think we can
attain the desired result in just one day; that has to be achieved
through solidarity between generations,” he added.
Asked to what extent the Armenian youth is competitive today, the
deputy minister said he sees that the young generation aspires at
least to reach certain targets. “The Armenian youth’s aspiration for
learning testifies to that, but in absolute terms, the Armenian youth
has be given the chance to realize that to the maximum,” he replied.
As for young people themselves, they find unemployment to be their
major problem. Most do not have jobs, while those who are employed
often complain about low salaries; many with university education
are not able to find corresponding work etc.
Arpine, 22, says she believes that employment remains the number one
problem. “Many young people pay big sums to study but have no job as
a result,” she told Tert.am.
“The saddest thing is that no young person sees his or her future
here, with work being difficult and the money paid in return amounting
to pennies,” said Anna, a 22-year-old graduate of the Yerevan State
University, who complained about the difficulty to find a job despite
having graduated with honors.
Suren Beglaryan, a young man who talked to our correspondent, said he
content with all he has now to enjoy his youth, “If things go this way,
it’s good again,” he said.
Others, however, believe that the youth is not given sufficient
freedom. “I would like to see freedom and justice. We do not see
enough justice in Armenia today,” said Lilit, another representative
of the youth.
Edgar, a 24-year-old taxi driver, pointed out to employment, money and
well-being as the major problems of the Armenian youth. “Everything has
to change in the country. A young Armenian cannot enjoy a full-fledged
life today,” he noted.
Speaking to Tert.am, psychologist Karine Nalchajyan agreed that
socio-economic difficulties remain the youth’s dominant concern but
admitted that the market psychology, stemming from today’s widespread
market relations, is also a major cause of the existing problems.
The specialist said she sees that there is a bright youth but admitted
that quality education still remains a problem. “Of course, it is
difficult to imagine a modern human being’s life without the internet,
but there are big losses there, such as isolations from books. We
seldom meet young people who love reading,” she noted.
Armenian News – Tert.am
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
