On June 14, Anna Barfyan, Youth programme analyst at UNFPA Armenia, participated in the panel discussion of the “Youth in Action: Youth Empowerment and Leadership Development in Armenia” project launch event, funded by European Union and Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Participants of the panel discussion on “Youth Leadership” also included the Senior Specialist of Youth Policy, Supplementary and Continuing Education Department of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, Armenuhi Petrosyan, Chairman of the International Board of Youth Initiatives Centre NGO Artur Najaryan, researcher Marina Galstyan, EU4YOUTH network graduate Razmik Mnatsakanyan and student Sharmagh Tonoyan.
The panel covered various topics, including the significant challenges faced by young leaders, the presence of uncertainties in post-war Armenia, and the role of state institutions, civil organizations, and international bodies in promoting and nurturing the leadership potential of young individuals.
“Try to lead by your example, actions, not words. Lead honestly, without losing your authenticity, and as a leader, demonstrate the behaviors and values you want to see in others,” Anna Barfyan emphasized, addressing young people.
The panelists identified the emergence of barriers to young leaders’ participation in decision-making as one of the significant challenges they face. Anna Barfyan, Youth programme analyst at UNFPA Armenia, highlighted the difficulty in recognizing or accepting youth leadership in public perceptions.
“Our efforts should not be aimed at “creating” young leaders, but rather at recognizing, strengthening, and supporting the leadership already existing among young people,” said Anna Barfyan.
The Armenian branch of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, World Vision Armenia, Media Initiatives Center, and Youth Initiatives Center organized the event. Active young people, representatives of the government and civil society, Zhanna Andrasyan, RA Minister of ESCS, the head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, and the head of the “Political Dialogue in the South Caucasus” project of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Stefan Marius, were present.
The primary objective of the “Youth in Action” project is to enhance Armenian civil society’s capacity and collaboration in educating and empowering young people.
