Job hunting seminar was organized for 15-21 year old young people from Gyumri orphanage after F. Nansen in the scopes of “For Better Life” Educational project. The seminar included computer, resume writing classes, as well as internet usage and interview skills sessions. Fifteen young people took part in the trainings and demonstrated active participation throughout the whole learning process. Upon completion of the seminar farewell party was organized during which all the participants received certificates.

“Youth For Achievements” Educational NGO with financial support of American Councils For International Education has started “For Better Life” educational project which aims at improving lives of young orphans and thus encourages them to continue fighting for better life and never give up their dreams to achieve their goals in life.  Job finding, resume writing and basic computer knowledge seminars/trainings will be organized for our youngsters, with the purpose to help them to be ready to step out into adulthood by themselves. The target group of the project are young people aged 16-18 from Gyumri orphanage named after F. Nansen and Vanadzor orphanage.

On May 4-6^th in Armenia Marriott Hotel National Debate Championship took place in the scopes of “Youth Engaged in Society” debate club creation project, which was full of exciting and interesting debates.

Collective teams from Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Armavir, Echmiatsin, Hrazdan, Abovyan, Sevan, Gavar, Ashtarak, Artashat and Masis arrived in the capital city to compete for the first places using their debating skills. As all the teams stated participation and acquiring new friends were the most important for them.

As a result of fervent competition collective teams of Yerevan and Artashat appeared in the final round. In this round the two teams debated on the following topic: “Rights of consumers are protected in Armenia”. The judge panel consisted of such experts as Abgar Yeghoyan – the president of “Protection of consumers’ rights” NGO, Gayane Vardanyan  - the media representative of Ministry of Economy, Lusine Hakobyan – representative of “Couterpart International”, Hamazasp Danielyan -  representative of IFES and  Edgar Vardanyan – independent politician /  evaluator.

Judges outlined the fact that both teams were equally prepared and were fighting hard to prove their position, but according to the overall points Yerevan team won the first place, aс Artashat team received the second place award.

      If interested you can visit www.debates.am website, which has been created in the scopes of YES project and contains detailed information on all the debate competitions.

All the participant clubs have already gone through friendly debate stage and are familiar to one topic  from the overall 4 topics suggested for the National Debate Championship. Each club has already selected their participants for the compiled teams that will be representing their towns during the competition.

Twenty compiled debate teams consisting of 5-7 members from Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Armavir, Metsamor, Echmiatsin, Hrazdan, Abovyan, Sevan, Gavar, Ashtarak, Artashat, Masis towns, as well as from Karbi, Mughni, Karin, Oshakan, Dalarik, Qarakert, Lernagog villages will arrive in Yerevan to compete for the first places in the competition.

Preperation works have already started and there are only a few days left to the start of the National Debate Championship.

The four topics of the National debate Championship are:

• Rights of consumers are protected in Armenia.
• Integration into European Union is beneficial for Armenia.
• Armenian government supports the relationship between Armenian Diaspora and local Armenians.
• Monuments of historical and cultural value are protected within the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

“Youth Engaged in Society” Project team cordially invites everyone who is interested to be present at the National Debate Championship, which will take place on May 4th, 5th and 6th in Armenia Marriott Hotel. (Download the agenda of the Games)

We wish all the luck to our twenty participant teams in their preparation works and of course during the competition itself.