Youth problems and concerns in Armenia - Today marks World Youth Day

Today marks the World Youth Day.

On November 10, 1945, the World Federation of Democratic Youth was founded on the sidelines of an international youth conference in London with an aim of uniting young poeple, struggling for peace and protecting the rights of the young generation. Ever since, the day has been celebrated annually to raise the world's attention to the problems and expectations of the youth.

On this remarkable occasion, Tert.am has conducted a short survey to figure out the problems and concerns of the Armenian youth, and their vision of future.

Arsen Karamyan, a deputy minister of sport and youth affairs, says he finds that young people in Armenia are preoccupied in the same concerns as the youth around the globe.

“I first of all mean the existing vast number of socio-economic problems that emerged in the wake of the 2008 financial-economic recession. Understandably, the Armenian youth is not isolated from those difficulties,” he said.

Karamyan cited the employment issue, quality education and the existing socio-economic challenges as the major problems facing the youth today.

He said he believes that the youth needs to work much to promote positive changes. “In any society, the youth is the most receptive and most active segment; and so is it here. So in order to change something, long and tireless work is necessary. I don’t think we can attain the desired result in just one day; that has to be achieved through solidarity between generations,” he added.

Asked to what extent the Armenian youth is competitive today, the deputy minister said he sees that the young generation aspires at least to reach certain targets. “The Armenian youth’s aspiration for learning testifies to that, but in absolute terms, the Armenian youth has be given the chance to realize that to the maximum,” he replied.

As for young people themselves, they find unemployment to be their major problem. Most do not have jobs, while those who are employed often complain about low salaries; many with university education are not able to find corresponding work etc.

Arpine, 22, says she believes that employment remains the number one problem. “Many young people pay big sums to study but have no job as a result,” she told Tert.am.

“The saddest thing is that no young person sees his or her future here, with work being difficult and the money paid in return amounting to pennies,” said Anna, a 22-year-old graduate of the Yerevan State University, who complained about the difficulty to find a job despite having graduated with honors.

Suren Beglaryan, a young man who talked to our correspondent, said he content with all he has now to enjoy his youth, “If things go this way, it’s good again,” he said.

Others, however, believe that the youth is not given sufficient freedom. “I would like to see freedom and justice. We do not see enough justice in Armenia today,” said Lilit, another representative of the youth.

Edgar, a 24-year-old taxi driver, pointed out to employment, money and well-being as the major problems of the Armenian youth. “Everything has to change in the country. A young Armenian cannot enjoy a full-fledged life today,” he noted.

Speaking to Tert.am, psychologist Karine Nalchajyan agreed that socio-economic difficulties remain the youth’s dominant concern but admitted that the market psychology, stemming from today’s widespread market relations, is also a major cause of the existing problems.

The specialist said she sees that there is a bright youth but admitted that quality education still remains a problem. “Of course, it is difficult to imagine a modern human being’s life without the internet, but there are big losses there, such as isolations from books. We seldom meet young people who love reading,” she noted.