Student democraty in Armenia... See more http://armstudentmovement.wordpress.com/

1. 17th European Student Convention, Prague, Czech Republic 18 February 2009 Student activism in Armenia

2. General overview ofRepublic of Armenia Mountainous country in South Caucasus Former republic of the Soviet Union with the population of 3,215,800 (Ethnic Armenians make up 97.9% of the population) Higher education institutions are highly valued in Armenia

4. 1994-1998 Development of SCs

5. 1998 Creation of All-Armenian Youth Foundation (AAYF)

6. 2001-2005The politicization of SCs’ members

8. The elections of the members of SCs The representatives of each academic group is elected by students of that group The heads of departments’ SCs are elected by the representatives of academic groups The president, vice-president and presidency are elected in the general assembly of institution’s students

9. Students’ participation in student organizations Any student admitted to HEI has the right to elect and be elected as a member of the institution’s Student Council

10. The main activities of Student councils Advocacy of students’ interests and participation in the governance of the HEI Addressing social problems Organizing cultural, scientific and academic events Organizing excursions and Sport events Collaboration with other HEIs and organization of extra-curricular activities

11. Students’ awareness about SC

13. Most of the leaders and members of SCs are the political parties’ members

18. Information access

20. Student self-governance The steps of development 1st step Only the head of the student organization was a member of the Scientific Council 2nd step A 15% quota on students’ participation in the highest administration body of the HEI 3rd step A minimum 25% quota on students’ participation in the highest administration body of the HEI(The Republic of Armenia Law on Higher and Post-Higher Education, 1988-2000)

21. Student self-governance Prior to 2005, the representatives of students participated through the SC in the elections of various officials of the HEI, although their participation was often of a symbolic nature Nowadays At the end of 2005, when the aforementioned laws were implemented, granting to students 25% of the seats in the governing councils of HEIs, the role and significance of SCs grew considerably

22. All-Armenian youth foundation (AAYF) Was created in 1998 Is non-profit, non-member organization Is based on voluntary financial investments of its founders Is aimed at the improvement of educational, scientific, cultural, social situation in Youth Field It functions according to the principles of National, legislative and Right equality During the whole period of its activity AAYF has implemented projects with total budget of 400 million AMD

23. COOPERATION BETWEEN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS The umbrella structure for youth NGOs, SCs, and youth wings of political parties is NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL OF ARMENIA

24. National youth council of Armenia NYCA was established in 1997 NYCA unifies more than 60 organizations NYCA is one of the biggest youth NGOs in the Republic of Armenia But……… At the same time it unifies youth wings of political parties

25. We hope for better future, because… Internet tools for student activism are widely used now There is group of enthusiastic students in every university, which are ready to act  BEST WISHES ZaruhiSurmenyan Shushan Harutyunyan shushan@ysu.am