On 9-17 March 2019, the 89th International Session of the EYP for the first time took place in Yerevan, the capital of Republic of Armenia. This was the biggest youth conference ever held in Armenia. More than 350 participants, including 250 young boys and girls from 40 countries got together for the Session. The “Ayb” high-school in Yerevan, the EYP 89th Session’s main host, opened its doors for the youth and offered a warm atmosphere for them throughout the Session.
Photo c. UNHCR
Owing to the partnership agreement between UNHCR and EYP, a group of ten young people (seven girls and three boys) representing Armenia and Georgia, participated in the nine-day event. Among them were refugees and displaced youth from Iraq, Iran and Syria, an asylum-seeker from Afghanistan and an IDP from Abkhazia. UNHCR facilitated refugee youth’s participation by selecting the participants, lending technical support, organising a briefing with the organisers before the Session, and encouraged the youth throughout the event.
The Session programme was rich in activities. It included team-building, series of educational sessions, debates and discussions on youth rights, socialisation and multicultural exchange. Upon the invitation by the organisers, UNHCR participated in a number of events: the official opening ceremony with the EYP President, EU Ambassador in Armenia, and the Minister of Culture as core guests and speakers, and a concert at the Aram Khachatryan Concert Hall in Yerevan with the participation of the youth performing traditional dances, songs and recitation of all over the world.
For some refugee youth, this was their first travel experience. They expressed that the EYP helped them ‘see the world’, understand the value of education, knowledge of different languages and cross-cultural exchange. They were particularly impressed by the welcoming environment at the “Ayb” School. “We were impressed by the cooperative and easy-going atmosphere and the feeling of being equal, different and similar at the same time“, Ojeni and Nanor from Syria were sharing their first impressions with enthusiasm.
The EYP Session in Yerevan which went under the motto: “Overcoming global challenges together”, granted the youth an excellent platform to discuss and debate over some crucial issues relating the youth in Europe and in the world. The core element of the Session was Committee Work: by forming different committees, the participants brainstormed on some issues affecting themselves, their communities and countries as a whole.
The Committees discussed socio-economic situation in their communities and environmental issues, importance of improved cooperation between the local authorities, employees’ and consumers’ rights, access to technologies, cultural heritage, education, development and other issues. At the end of the EYP Session, the youth reunited at the General Assembly to present and discuss the result of their many days’ work. The different Committees presented and defended their resolutions, and following intensive debates, the youth voted for the final resolutions and – in a unified voice – passed them on to the decision-makers in Europe.
As expressed by the youth afterwards, “This was the most exciting moment of the Session: we understood that our voice could reach the destination, and that we were the youth that could make a change in the world”, Shant, a socially active young boy from Syria, said.
“Upon the conclusion of the General Assembly, we sensed a feeling of triumph, we were full of pride and motivation, ready to act and make a difference in the world”, said Gagach, a young girl from Syria. “But it was also a very emotional moment as we realised that the EYP Session was over, too… The youth will soon depart and who knows, we may never see each other again…”, Gagach sighed with some sadness in her voice. The smile came back to her face when she scrolled down her FB chat to find her new EYP friends she was determined to stay in touch with.
“I am proud for having made the 89th International Session in Yerevan a reality and a great success. This was the most pleasing experience for me – we did it!”, said Davit Manukyan, one of core organisers, the EYP Vice President of External Affairs.
The displaced youth concluded their EYP mission in Yerevan by a study tour to UNHCR Armenia at UN House in Yerevan. They met UNHCR colleagues and learnt about the agency’s activities benefiting refugees and other displaced population, and the volunteer work by refugee and the local youth in Armenia. Talking about the EYP, the youngsters shared their impressions on how much the EYP gave them in terms of broadening their mind, helping them unfold their communication skills, artistic talents, socialise and learn.
The EYP in Yerevan seemed to have made a breakthrough in the lives of the youth. “EYP was a great opportunity for us to meet great people and learn from them. We learnt new things and understood how best we could cooperate. EYP gave us confidence and a deeper sense of cooperation and value of friendship”, said Mina and Rahma from Iraq. “We are inspired for educational and civic endeavours, we want to act and make a positive change in our lives and in the lives of other refugees”, the girls continued in delight.
“It’s amazing to know that if we want, we can make the world a better place to live. Now I am so motivated, I want to start doing things as I have understood my role in this life. Here, at EYP, I learnt how to fight inner weaknesses and fear. I understood that I should never stop learning and sharing”, said Ani from Abkhazia, a future psychologist in Georgia.
The youth were very grateful to EYP and UNHCR. Our talk would now and then be ‘interrupted’ by their words of appreciation – “Thank you EYP, thank you UNHCR! Without you, we would not be part of such a beautiful gathering of youth from all over the world.”
Alex, a refugee young man from Iran in Georgia, shared his impressions with us: “We have some ideas in mind which were generated during the EYP. It will be lovely if we can initiate and lead some activities at home. I am a writer, so I can create a scenario for a community theatre”, he said. “Together, we can highlight a priority issue the refugee and local youth face and propose a solution – for example higher education we dream of, active community life, genuine friendship – and perform it in Georgia and in Armenia one day”, Alex continued with excitement in his eyes.
The EYP made an invaluable change in the lives of the refugee youth. As they expressed afterwards, the EYP empowered them for social activism, unfolded their communication and leadership skills, and helped them understand the value of peace, friendship and love.
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