On 23-27 June 2014 three representative of the Yerevan School of Political Studies participated in the first session of V4-EaP program initiated by the Visegrad School of Political Studies. The seminar was held in Warsaw, Poland. During the week-long program, 30 participants from Visegrad Region and Eastern Partnership countries not only learned more about each other but also improved their mediation, negotiations, political rhetoric and speech writing skills during lectures and practical workshops.

The VSPS-EaP initiative aims to promote the collective and individual V4 democratic transition experience to young political, social and governmental leaders from Eastern Partnership countries. The VSPS-EaP brings together 120 participants over 2 years from the EaP and V4 to undertake workshops that highlight the regions of EU integration, civil society development and general transitional experience. The participants come from the Network of Schools of Political Studies of the Council of Europe.

On 19-20 June 2014 the first international alumni seminar on “Harnessing young people’s potential for building a democratic future” was held in Strasbourg, France.

By bringing together about 50 outstanding alumni from different Schools and different annual cycles, the alumni meeting looked at ways to respond to the marginalization of today’s young generation and ask if young people can define their own set of common values for the future.

Yerevan School of Political Studies was represented by Mr. Edgar Ghazaryan, Mrs. Naira Ghazaryan and Mrs. Marina Malkhasyan.

The programme of the event is enclosed.

On 16-18 May 2014 YSPS 3-day seminar on “State, Society, Politics, Law, Media, Culture” was held in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia. The event gathered YSPS participants as well as alumni of different years.

In general the seminar distinguished with its high representation of international and local experts, high-ranking officials and diplomats. Particularly Mr. Gagik HARUTYUNYAN, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Tigran SARGSYAN, Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia (2008-2014), Mr. Davit TONOYAN, First Deputy Defense Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Oleksandr PAVLYUK, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, Mr. Clark PRICE, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the United States to Armenia and other local prominent experts.

As usual practice during YSPS seminars, a frank, candid and open exchange of views between guest speakers and participants was held which brought to informal and constructive dialogue.

YSPS 8th generation was awarded Diplomas at the end of the event.