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Welcome to Yerevan Presidential interview Dear (foreign) delegates Committee Articles Who is who?

We are all magicians EYP alumni

2nd NSC of the EYP Armenia 1. - 3. 11. 2013

EDITORIAL “Congratulations!

You are the 1000th visitor!“ No, no worries. We are not about to congest your Internet browsers.

If you are reading this, you have already clicked on the right link and got to this online issue of the

IDEA newspapers!

The sad news are: the 2nd NSC of the EYP Armenia is definitely over. If you are still feeling you would like to return back in time (like Hermione with her magic time tur-

Warning!

If you are scared of continuous PED stop reading here!

ner) and to see all your EYP friends again, you are most probably showing the signs of the still continuing PED (see the explanation on the pages 20,21). As none of the members of the Media Team is a psychoterapist, we cannot cure you from this specific form of depression.

But the happy news are: we can add something to your memories. We have prepared for you a short hindsight to remember some of the session moments, participants and venues of the session.

When I was walking through Yerevan I accidentally found a wish tree.

So I made a wish...

THANK YOU, Samson, Avnik, Lilit and Kristi to make it true.

Thank you for the huge load of work you have done and for your always smiling faces.

And also thank to you, organiser, chairs, delegates, all the participants of the 2nd National Selection Conference—thank you for being there, in Yerevan, with us, and making the magic happen.

Yours Lenka

www.facebook.com/IDEA - 2nd NSC of the EYP Armenia

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TABLE OF CONTENTS : W ELCOME

TO

4,5

YEREVAN

PRESIDENTIAL INTERVIEW

6,7

D EAR ( FOREIGN )

8,9

DELEGATES

C OMMITTEE

10-17

ARTICLES

W HO WE

IS WHO ?

ARE ALL

18,19

20,21

MAGICIANS

E YP

ALUMNI

22,23

WELCOME TO YEREVAN

by Lilit Gevorgyan

Yerevan (former name Erivan, ancient name Erebuni) with its population of 1,200 000 is the largest city of Armenia. It is situated along the Hrazdan River.

The modern city of Yerevan was built on tragedy and dreams. It was only a little more than a fortified town of mud-brick houses before it became capital of the independent Armenia in 1918.

The flood of refugees from the 1915 genocide and its aftermath fueled an uneasy but productive alliance of Armenia and the Soviet Union, which hoped to spread communism. The city experienced prosperity under the Soviet rule.

Modern Yerevan was built to be the center of the country with an educational and cultural infrastructure far expanding the Soviet standards.

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN YEREVAN: 1. VISIT THE REPUBLIC SQUARE DURING DAY AND NIGHT

Being surrounded by 7 mojor buildings and located at the intersection of various streets, the Republic square tis he centre of Yerevan. Singing fountain in its centre is one of the main tourist goals. The Republic Square frequently hosts concerts and performances.

Originally 2. VISIT CASCADE COMPLEX planned by Alexander Tamanyan and realized by Yerevan chief architect Jim Torosyan. Not only it serves as a connection between centre and the Hanghtanak Park, but it is also the centre of art and a place of daily meetings.

3. VISIT OPERA HOUSE

Designed by Alexander Tamanian, located in Tumanyan Street, it was opened on the 20. January, 1933.

It took around 20 years of construction works to bring the building to its current shape.

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Tsitsernakaberd

4. VISIT MONUMENT OF The Genocide MemoARMENIAN GENOCIDE rial was officially opened during the 47th anniversary of the Soviet Armenia (November 29, 1967). The memorial consists of three main buildings – the Memorial Wall, the Sanctuary of Eternity (Memorial Hall & Eternal Flame) and the Memorial Column “The Reborn Armenia.”

5 VISIT

THE

MOTHER OF ARMENIA

Made of copper, the Mother Armenia Statue, which came to replace Stalin’s statue, was placed into the Victory Park in 1967. With a sword in her hands and a shield at her feet the Statue protects Armenia against any foreign invasion or danger.

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MEET HOVSEP PATVAKANYAN! president of the 2nd NSC of the EYP Armenia

by Avnik Melikian

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Age: 22 Inspired by: Italy Afraid of: nothing Views on smoking: Non-smoker Views on alcohol: Drinking prolongs life

Talking about yourself: what are the 3 worst things about you?

One should live through the session and not feel as a random but rather inherent part of it. EYP Devotion is a category yet to be examined. Meanwhile, I should thank to the team I was working with for the great job they did. I am sure each participant found something close to his/her heart and a certain vision in the session - this made it so successful.

What kind of girls do you like?

I become friends easily with anyone, I trust Armenian taxi drivers, and I love taking risks. Taking risks gave me already a lot of experiences - like visiting a small Swedish city, getting to know a random Japanese guy Talking about EYP and the session in Amsterdam or a drunk Polish villager who itself: How come you have decided to had a collection of different knives. I like initiate EYP Armenia, what was your taking risks, and that bad habit brings me to the extreme, awkward and unforgettable sitmotivation and aim? uations and places.

We realized a year ago that there are many active young Armenians, who do not have an What is the most important thing in opportunity to share their thoughts with others for you? others. There was no common platform for the hundreds of young people to come together and speak up on a regular basis. Of Sincerity, sense of humor, course, some conferences, projects or sessions “maximalism� (that is striving for the best). take place in Armenia but they are either non-innovative, or not on a regular basis.

What is your personal priority?

The EYP format is a perfect one because it Family and friends, personal development, perfectly combines fun and debating, and sharing what I know with others. that is the exact reason why it became so popular in Armenia with the total outreach of 20.000 members in less than 9 months of What was your childhood dream?

Are you on the way of realizing it? its existence.

My dream was to be a head of a university.

But I am doing totally different thing right What are the basic steps to take in now so I do not know whether I will ever be able to realize the dream. order to create successful session?

Smart, with beautiful smile and eyes. The rest can be fixed over time. She should also be a good dancer and passionate about travelling. Most of my girlfriends have been dancers.

Describe your ideal place to live.

There are no buses here, intertwined narrow streets, a little old church on a hill... One of my neighbours is a fisherman and the other one owns a grocery and makes wine. There is Motivation letters and interest in the EU a small pub at the corner of the street where relevant issues. For instance, we have had great applicants from countries like Ghana, I am living and from there you can enjoy a Indonesia, Egypt, who have not even slightly great sea view. referred to the topic of the conference.

According to what presumptions were the delegates selected?

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by Avnik Melikian

DEAR (foreign) DELEGATES, please, take a post-it and share with us your

IMPRESSIONS...

My view of Armenia and Yerevan changed and was somehow completed many times during my stay in the „POMEGRANATE“ country.

I got to taste lavas, sucuk and savas. I drank Ararat, Kilikia and Kotayk.

I saw Ararat from the distance of 30 km.

I got lost. I hired taxi with a functionless gas pedal to get to the Museum of Armenia Genocide. I admired deep eyes of Armenian girls. I experienced Yerevan streets full of scary colourfulypainted Halloween faces. I played (game) Narde with owner of a roller coaster. I fed swans at the Swan lake. I danced.

I decided to take courses of Armenian. I saw artworks at the Cacasdes and the singing fountains. I traveled in Armenian metro, marshutkas and also almost hitchhiked. I was invited to see 2 weddings and I was offered marriage 3 times (never from the potential husband).

I visited many interesting places and I got to know many inspiring people, which I now dare to call my great friends.

I shared lot of IDEAS.

Honestly, I really enjoyed getting to know Armenia.

But that is all just „me“.

I am wondering, now: what are YOUR impressions and IDEAS about Armenia

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by Lenka Vysokรก (CZ)

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INTRA

by Lilit Gevorgyan

Chairs of the INTRA committee, Hovsep Patvakanyan and Lika Mkrtchyan, lead the passionate delegates´ discussion on Armenia joining either the Customs Union or the Association Agreement with the EU. The participants were divided into 4 groups, each of these discussing one different aspect of the whole topic (1.politics, 2. economy, 3. security, 4. human rights) Delegates were very interested in discussing the given issues. As the chair of INTRA Lika Mkrtchyan said: “All the delegates of the

INTRA committee are active and as a team very productive.

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They are expressing thoughtout opinions with well-grounded arguments.”

Both individually and as a team-member they support every single argument raised up by the subcommittee.

As the other chair of the group Hovsep Patvakanyan told us. ”The topic is very tough and burning issue and it is on the Agenda of both - Armenian and European leaders. How can Armenia cooperate with EU, and in which format, in case Armenia joins the customs Union?



chairs: Hovsep Patvakanyan Lika Mkrtchyan



Abert Markaryan, Anatoli Chenyaev, Anna Danielyan , Anna Churshina, Danara Kurmanova, Elene Maisuradze, Levon Avetisyan, Mariam Gongladze, Mikayel Charchyan , Nane Sargsyan , Nikolay Harutyunyan, Ripa Hovsepyan, Shushanik Hakobyan , Sophie Maytesyan, Victoria Grigoryan

Read the answer in INTRA resolution!

Armenia has recently announced about its intention to join the Customs Union, which in the first place excludes signing of the DCFTA agreement with the EU. Nevertheless, Belarus, being a part of Customs Union, has not changed its tariff scheme with the EU countries.

How can the DCFTA framework be reconsidered to make it plausible for Armenia to sign it?

DROI 

chair: Davit Dilanyan



Anna Gabrielyan, Anna Vardanvan, Anush Nalghranyan, Armine Patatanyan, Astghik Matevosyan, Aza Khachatryan, Elene Gaelaia, Hakob Sharabkhanyan, Ishuki Baghdasaryan, Khrystyna Kushnir, Melanie Le Dain, Robert Tsaturyan, Tigran Ghazaryan,, Varduhi Avanesyan, Zura Gamtenadze

by Lenka Vysoká

„AWESOME, FRIENDLY, RIGHT“ - these are the adjectives, which descibe DROI committee the best according to its members´ opinions.

Myself, I would definitely add: „CREATIVE“, too.

When I asked DROI to pose for a topical group photo, I expected one, two fast „click-clicks“ with camera. Instead, I was the witness of a truly creative process of the picturing of right, businesses and the stealing of ideas.

(See below, how the

DROI depicted their topic of the intellectual property)

And although the majority of DROI members were maybe surprised first hearing the committee topic is not about trafficking people, but about the intellectual property, they have created well-considered creative resolution and advocated it easily at the GA. Davit, chair of the DROI, shared a secret insight gossip: one of the human rights specialists from his „awesome, friendly, right“ committee came to Armenia to find a future husband. „And did she manage?“ you might ask.

I cannot tell you.

Privacy is also considered as the the fundamental human right...

The protection of the intellectual property rights has been an issue in the countries of the Eastern Partnership for 2 decades with no credible solution suggested yet. What model of the intellectual property rights protection will assist EaP countries to boost growth and better integrate in the European framework?

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EMPL

by Samson Martirosyan

The lack of the institutional framework and underdeveloped labour unions in the EaP countries don’t let the labour markets to perform efficiently. What should the EU’s stance Committee of EMPL had a be to assist EaP countries very interesting topic connected to the procedures of on this matter?

business establishment for citizens of the EaP countries in the EU.



chairs: Anna Hovhakimyan, Suzanna Shamakhyan

 Marina Supac, Anano

Basilaia, Anna Hakobyan, Arpine Babakhanyan, Davit Alaverdyan,, Gevorg Khodabakhshian, Hasmik Kababyan , Hayk Mkrtchyan, Isabel Shatoyan, Khosrovadukht Mamyan, Nuki Gogberashvili, Seda Bagiryan, Vacheh Sahakian, Victoria Movsesyan

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They managed to include educational segments in the resolution and as a result they had a very decent and well-developed resolution, which, undoubtedly passed with majority of votes for its adoption.

An interesting fact about EMPL was that all the members said Vacheh & Gevorg, who are close friends, looked like brothers. Guys were not happy about it, but their pictures from teambuilding show a different thing.

Well, at the end relative ties are not that important in EYP, what matters most is the connection that makes us all friends and sometimes even more than friends...

SEDE Taking into double standards based approaches of global stakeholders regarding reconciliation of the frozen conflicts of Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, What steps should the EU undertake to guarantee peaceful resolution of the conflicts and prevent the possibility of military actions on the ground?

 chairs: Catherina Duca +

RIma Sargayan  Alexandrina Vasilichi,

Ani Davtyan Ani Hakobyan, Anna Sargsyan, Aramayis Madatyan, Areg Kochinyan, George Melashvili, Greta Avetisyan, Gvantsa Gverdsteli, Karapet Gyumjibashyan, Kushane Chobanyan, Nare Chobanyan, Narek Grigoryan, Narine Daneghyan, Narine Hambardzumyan , Nune Gevorgyan , Saba Sekulovic

by Samson Martirosyan

By the way, this committee had 2 amazing men – Karo and Areg, former soldiers.

When I entered SEDE’s room during their committee work the discussion was so intense and so hectic in a positive sense that I was sure their resolution will have a great success, and eventually it turned out to be true.

Just for you to know Karo was awarded "The Best Squad Commander of the AntiAircraft Defense (AAD) Forces of the RA", is laureate of "Qajari Martik" (Brave Soldier) medal, named “The Best Squad Commander” in joint Armenian -NKR AAD competition, is laureate of the diplomas for excellent service and has military rank of "Senior Sergeant".

They had very controversial topics of frozen conflicts of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh. The con- And Areg is awarded “Medal of troversy didn’t scared them off Bravery”, “Medal For Firstthough.

Class Military Skills”, “Medal For The Best Physical Condition” and has the rank of “First Sergeant”.

Impressive, isn’t it?

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LIBE

by Lenka Vysoká

Civil Society institutions in the EaP countries nowadays have limited capacities and are ill represented in the decision making processes.

What should the EU’s engagement policy be towards those institutions in order to foster a better checks & balances system in the Eastern Partnership countries?



chairs: Margarita Gevorgyan, Sos Avetisyan

 Agnieszka Lyszcz,

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Andranik Shirinyan, Anna Daghlaryan, Arman Gasparyan, Erik Vardanyan, Flora Babajanyan Hovsep Babayan, Liana Hovhannisyan , Lilit Janibekyan, Magda Grigolia, Marine Meliksetyan, Mate Tevzadze, Mushegh Ghahrinyan, Nino Kharebava, Rima Shahverdyan, Vardan Hakobyan

Lead by their chairs Margarita and Sos, delegates of the LIBE Committee took the advantage of their multilingualism and tried jawcrackers in various languages during teambuilding.

Although it is probably still not easy to pronounce Polish or Georgian sentences, DROI delegates found their way through the language barrier and learned how to understand each other.

They later proved this skill well during the committee work, while discussing the topic of ill representation of civil society institutions in the EaP countries. They showed that they not only understand each other, but also that they are able to find common solutions and to compromise.

Being the 1st committee to be presenting their resolution at the GA, they advocated for their resolution vigorously and with huge enthusiasm.

ECON

by Kristi Arakelova

On a way to a deeper cooperation between the EU and EaP, there is still no well developed institutional framework to attract entrepreneurs from the Eastern Partnership countries. What approaches should the EU undertake to simplify business establishment procedure for the recipients from Eastern Partnership countries?

Lusine Nalbandyan: “This committee’s full name is Economic and Monetary Affairs (Econ). I should say that committee work is really very interesting and productive as we get to know a lot about economy. We spend and use our time efficiently and we work in a friendly atmosphere. We make new relationships.

It is a great opportunity to share ideas with others and to discuss, make decisions.

I feel free with EYP, with my committee.

 chair: Davit Shin-

dyan

I am really excited.“

 Albert Hayrapetyan,

Anna Mamyan, Anzhela Movsisyan, Davit Abgaryan, Harutyun Avagyan, Hovhannes Zhamharyan, Lusine Nalbandyan, Nana Miquchadze, Nelli Minasyan, Pawel Wilkos, Raffi Elliott, Revazi Maghlakelidze, Svetlana Cocul, Taline Saghdasaryan

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AFET 

by Kristi Arakelova

chairs: Veronika Aghajanyan, Julietta Beglaryan

 Ani Hayrapetyan,

Anna Aghabekyan, Elena Bugaets, Ewa Polak, Hagop Khatchadourian, Haykuhi Ghazaryan, Ninel Gasparyan, Nver Kirakosyan, Petros Arabyan, Roza Sargsyan, Saba Karanadze, Siranush Seyranyan, Svetlana Hovhannisyan, Taguhi Minasyan

If you walked around the American University of Armenia you would definitely feel working atmosphere. Each committee has its own room where they work.

Go inside and see how delegates debate, argue and make compromises about the problems. You will learn, how the current issues are one by one solved.

I asked two questions in the AFET committee:

1. How do you like the committee work?

2. Describe what are your feelings in one word Read the answers below: Ninel Gasparyan

Siranush Seyranyan

“The committee work was great as it opened new doors to new ideas, white working with other people!

Taguhi Minasyan “I liked today’s job as it was quite interesting, intensive, comprehensive and challenging.

I liked being criticized!

The thing that I disliked was too much work within the same working group (but I can understand the reason behind).

“Our committee involved people with Feeling - Amazing” different personalities and backgrounds and this made committee work really Elena Bugaets: diverse and all“The committee work today inclusive.“ appeared very interesting. So, all in all, I feel satMy feeling – Demoisfied and in a good The main thing is that it cratic!” mood“ turned to be very productive. We shared our ideas and took into consideration all of them.

Svetlana Hovhannisyan “I really liked how enthusiastically the members were getting involved into the committee work. There was a mice atmosphere to share ideas and exchange knowledge. The councern I can point and is that the decision in divided groups have work tine to decision and revise the problems resolution all together.”

“Feeling – excited”

What should the EU’s policy be towards regimes in the grey zone between democracy and autocracy? Particularly, taking into account no aspirations towards European Integration from the side of Belarus and Azerbaijan, what stance should the EU take to ensure balanced engagement?

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178

WHO IS

(CHAIR)

(ORGANISER)

(CHAIR)

(DELEGATE)

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WHO?

by Lenka Vysokรก & Samson Martirosyan

(DELEGATE)

(DELEGATE)

(DELEGATE)

(JOURNALIST)

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WE ARE ALL MAGICIANS HERE...

by Samson Martirosyan Now imagine a car driving slowly on

Imagine a young girl sitting in the class of Chemistry in school. The week has just started. It’s Monday. She is desperately trying to concentrate and listen to a teacher, but all in vain. All the information about dynamic equilibrium seems solely meaningless complex of words, boosting in her no enthusiasm. The shape of professor that hectically draws ionic equations on the board is looming in the distance as if she would look at him through the prism of a distorted piece of glass. All her attempts to regain control over the distracted mind fail completely. Then she takes her phone, turns on the WiFi, enters Facebook and writes a post in a group with hundreds of members:

“Guys, I am so in PED right now. I wish we all were together & never had to say good bye. PED replaced you, I want it over as soon as possible but it seems PED is going to last till the next session. I am so deeply PEDed :’(”.

an empty avenue early in the morning. Everything is still. The driver rides the car slowly; he is not thinking of anything, there is only unexplainable feeling of loneliness and emptiness inside him, as if something is missing somewhere out there, deep in both his mind and heart.

He continues his chill drive up till the moment when a song starts playing on the radio. An enormous bomb goes off inside him as he recalls the lyrics of the song. The volume is on maximum. The driver is singing vociferously nearly tearing his lungs apart.

The images of the best moments and feelings he had been having the previous three days are like powerful lightening flashing inside him during three minutes of the song.

Once it is over he quickly stops the car, grabs his phone, turns on the Internet connection, enters Facebook and writes a comment on a post of one of his dearest friend that just posted something similar to what he himself wanted to write:

“I feel what you are saying, I just managed to drive 160 km/h for three minutes while listening to our session song.

I LOVE you all, PED is something that can be forgotten easily if we try, but memories of these three days will stay with me forever.

What connects these two imaginary persons, as well as any other EYPer who had just finished her/his session?

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PED - Post EYP Depression No matter in what part of Europe you are, no matter what you do and no matter how old you are, PED will come. Right after a session.

And if the session is a huge success, just like our 2nd NSC of EYP Armenia, ghe PED will be stronger and more powerful.

THE STAGES of the PED If you are a new, freshly baked EYPer, you are more vulnerable for the. There is only one stage which is a deep frustration that starts immediately after a session.

1.STAGE

3. STAGE

Things are different for those who have experienced EYP and PED before. As a rule you have the first feeling of the future PED during the teambuilding.

Something very small, barely palpable rises in you and says that the PED is going to be hard. But you try to quickly get rid of it and instead savor happy moments and make friends.

The third stage, which is the most powerful one, starts when you have already seen all your friends off or when you are already in a plane. At this stage the PED blends with tiredness and emotional ascent, making everything even worse. Because of this you can have frequent and very sharp shifts in mood - you are depressed that it is all over then 10 minutes later you are smiling with joy remembering everything and being happy it all happened to you.

2. STAGE The second stage of PED starts the moment when you have already made friends with people who have to leave or, vice versa, when you have to leave and they stay. That fact makes you forget about the natural need of sleeping and sometimes even eating and instead you try to spend as much time with your friends as possible. That is one of the reasons why EYPers don’t sleep most of the time during the sessions and organize crazy late night parties.

Despite the fact that PED stands for Post EYP Depression, it would be too biased and unfair to see only the negative side of the medal. What matters here is the individual perception of PED. One might get into a deep depression and end up not being able to concentrate on literally anything else than the memories of the session. And one might THINK POSITIVELY, realize the PED is not forever but the friendships with people he/she met might be. Depending on the individual perception of PED by every participant, it can boost a new wave of enthusiasm to engage in the EYP.

4. STAGE Hours spent in social web sites, hundreds and even thousands of photos, dozens of tags and countless numbers of status updates, endless repeats of the session songs and videos happen exactly at this stage. The fourth and the last stage is when the PED is almost over but still it is not gone completely. This stage doesn’t last for a long time and is very easy to overcome.

We live in world, where it is very easy to catch up with everything we want.

If you already overcame the PED and feel like EYP is where you belong, it is very easy to manage. You will see the EYP is open for everybody and if there is the will to make magic happen then there is always means to do it.

Being a part of EYP is in no circumstances an easy job because it requires a lot of efforts, hard work and time but it might be also is extremely satisfying and delightful.

JUST TALK TO PEOPLE IN YOUR NATIONAL COMMITTEE, ASK HOW TO TAKE PART.

And remember: you can be a part of magic, the EYP magic, too. You also can become a magician, an EYP magician.

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