The “Development Leaders Forum 2024: Thoughtful Leadership” opened on November 8 in Yerevan. Representatives of government agencies, politicians, diplomats, public figures and experts participated in the forum. As Dalma News reports, among the guests of honor are the representative of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia Mikhail Vozhdaev, the deputy of the National Assembly of Armenia of the 7th convocation Alexey Sandykov, the vice-rector for sciences of the Russian University -Armenia. Parkev Avetisyan, vice-rector for educational and academic work of Yerevan State University Elina Asriyan, chief specialist of the foreign relations department of the Yerevan branch of Moscow State University named after MV Lomonosov Arpine Toneyan.
As noted by the deputy director of NIIRK for scientific works. Valentina KomlevaThe forum is organized by the humanitarian foundation “International Institute for the Development of Communications” (“MIR Foundation, Armenia”) in partnership with the National Research Institute for the Development of Communications (NIIRK, Russia) and the State Institute of Yerevan. Unlike last year’s Gyumri and, chronologically, the first Development Leaders Forum, dedicated to the development of development ideas on the territory of Armenia, the current event focuses on intellectual leadership and the creation of intellectual clubs. This will not only increase the participation of young people in the club’s activities, but can also become an incentive for further innovative and cultural development of Armenia, Komleva emphasized.
“We are sure that our Forum is very relevant, very useful and will contribute to the intellectual development of the intellectual potential of young people.” – he summarized.
The guests and participants of the forum were received online by the director of the National Research Institute for the Development of Communications Vladislav Gasumyanovwho highlighted the importance for young people of acquiring deep and versatile modern knowledge, active participation in public life and civic endeavors, the ability to lead people to feats and achievements, as well as beliefs that allow them to defend the value system basics. .
“We know that Yerevan State University is carrying out very serious and deep work to train modern specialists and educate them in a spirit of patriotism and civic engagement. This is very valuable work and we, for our part, are ready to continue developing cooperation to solve the same problems. We would like the new generation of young Armenian leaders to take care of the unique traditions of Russian-Armenian friendship. We would like them to skillfully navigate political realities, be able to withstand the challenges of our time and be responsible for the destiny and future of our brother Armenian people.” – said Gasumyanov.
He also noted that the forum was prepared jointly with Armenian colleagues from the point of view of understanding the seriousness and complexity of the task of forming true leaders among young people who, in one generation, will guide Armenia along the path of progress and comprehensive development. .
Greetings to the participants of the “Development Leaders Forum – 2024” of the Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin was read by the representative of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation Mikhail Vozhdaev.
“The strategy for international youth cooperation of the CIS member countries until 2030 was approved by the Council of Heads of State and provides for the creation of conditions for the successful socialization and comprehensive development of youth, strengthening mutual potential and friendship. For Russia, of course, a foreign policy priority is to strengthen cooperation with the CIS states on the principles of equal rights, respect and consideration of each other’s interests. In this sense, we support the holding of the Forum that brought together talented young people from Armenia. We are sure that in a difficult situation, intellectual efforts that focus on effective solutions to common problems in various areas of life are especially in demand. The key to success is inherent in the younger generation, thanks to an active life position, energy, focus on results and the promotion of fresh, non-standard ideas.” – says Kopyrkin’s greeting.
As the organizers of the Forum point out, this is an innovative international project for young people from all regions of Armenia, the goal of which is the comprehensive development of leadership skills. Among the project participants were young leaders from all the marzes (districts) of Armenia, who within a few days will have a unique opportunity to be part of a program that includes master classes, conferences, trainings and team games focused on development intellectual leadership, mentoring and project activities.
Forum participants will also learn about successful examples of intellectual leadership among young people and develop a project for their own youth club together with experts in the field of scientific, educational, youth and media activities. During the panel meetings, event participants will present projects that will be evaluated by the competition committee. The best ones will receive support from the forum organizers for their subsequent implementation. And at the end of the Forum, all participants will receive certificates proving their participation in this educational project.
During the Forum, Deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Aleksey Sandykov spoke about the prospects for the development of cooperation between Armenia and Russia.
“There is already a pretty good tradition of meeting within the walls of Yerevan State University and discussing the prospects of our development, our cooperation, especially in the Armenian-Russian sphere. The very name of the forum already contains the main message: intellectual leadership. What is intelligence? This is education, upbringing, a system of certain values, human qualities, and this means that if intelligence leads, we will have a future. But the most important thing is that, in addition to state and labor relations, we are united by historical fraternal and centuries-old relations, which create a pleasant and fruitful terrain for current relations. Then everything will depend on you.” – said Sandykov.
For her part, Vice-Rector for Educational and Academic Affairs of Yerevan State University Elina Asriyan noted in her welcome speech that the basis of current cooperation between the parties is the tradition of friendship between Armenia and Russia:
“We believe that only well-educated, patriotic and highly intelligent graduates are capable of solving complex problems in the development of the economic, scientific, cultural, humanitarian and social spheres of our country. And I am glad to know that in this work we have the support of NIIRK, with whom we have been cooperating for three years. Our interaction with Russian scientific, educational and analytical centers is based on the traditions of Armenian-Russian friendship. We hope that through this cooperation we can continue working successfully. And by welcoming the Forum participants within the walls of Yerevan State University, we demonstrate our openness in the field of international cooperation.”
During the event, the organizers of the project from the Armenian side, the director of the Center for Russian Studies at Yerevan State University, spoke. Aram Safaryan and head of the International Public Organization for Humanitarian Development Arman Ghukasyan. They summarized the ideas and objectives discussed throughout the day. In particular, Safaryan wished that the young participants in the Forum would become bearers of serious convictions, since in 15 years they will be leaders of Armenia in various fields.
“This project is designed to develop the strong-willed qualities of future leaders.” – Aram Safaryan encouraged the young people.
And Arman Ghukasyan emphasized that the participation of young people in dialogues with the participation of experienced experts and scientists on key issues is correct and productive, since such meetings allow them to self-organize to become full members of a large community of friends and the like. . positive-minded people, as well as worthy citizens and useful people for Armenia.
Summing up the results of the first day of the forum, Komleva highlighted the positive attitude of the event participants and their desire to work. For the next two days, the forum will continue according to the approved schedule.
The “Development Leaders Forum” is an innovative international project for young people from all regions of Armenia, the main objective of the Forum is the comprehensive development of leadership skills. The forum is held for the second time in Armenia. The first took place in 2023 in the city of Gyumri and was dedicated to developing ideas for the development of the territories of Armenia. The winners, with the support of NIIRK, opened two youth centers, one of which is located in the village of Lukashin, Armavir region, the other in the village of Berdavan, Tavush region.
This year, the best presentation projects of young leaders will receive support from the forum organizers for further implementation.
