YIC Armenia
YIC Projects Report May 2009 - December 2011 Youth Initiative Centre is a non-governmental organization which was established by a group of active young people experienced and well recognized in the field of youth work. The Mission of YIC:
Assist in the development of the civic activity of the youth through promoting youth initiatives and active participation. The Directions of the Activities of YIC:
To organize campaigns and events directed to the inclusion and active participation of the youth in the process of youth policy development and decision making; To provide opportunity for carrying out local and international voluntary initiatives through promoting the exchange of experience among the youth and increasing the role of the youth in the development of the community; To provide information, consultation and opportunity for participating in local and international long- and short-term trainings and exchanges promoting cross-border cooperation and intercultural dialogue among the youth; To organize trainings on the topics of career development, volunteerism, interpersonal communication and conflict resolution, directed towards the personal and professional development of the youth; To organize language and cultural clubs directed to the development of the linguistic and communication skills, and of the aesthetic taste of the youth. YIC is a member of the Network of Multipliers of the “Youth in Action” Programme administered by the Salto Eastern Europe and Caucasus (EECA) Resource Centre. YIC is a member of Armenia-Turkey "Beyond Border Initiative"NGO platform. YIC is a member of VIO (Volunteer Involving Organizations) Network supported by UNV (United Nation Volunteers).
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO Youth Initiative Centre NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Date of Birth: December, 2008 Registration Date: 22.09.2009 Address: Shirakatsi 177 a, apt 2, Gyumri 3118, Armenia Tel / Fax: + 374 312 4 94 97 E-mail: yic_ngo@yahoo.com URL: www.yic.info.am
YIC Armenia
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
YIC Team Staff
YIC President: Artur Najaryan E-mail: artur_najo@yahoo.com Cell.: +374 93 95 93 07
Project Officer: Nelli Minasyan E-mail: nelly.minasyan@gmail.com Cell.: +374 98 85 83 07
Office Manager: Liana Hakobyan E-mail: lihakobyan@yahoo.com Cell.: +374 98 83 86 50
Human Resources Officer: Ani Aghayan E-mail: aniaghayan@gmail.com Cell.: +374 94 83 38 93
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YIC Armenia
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Administrative Assistansuman: Ani Darbinyan E-mail: anidarbinyan14@yahoo.com Cell: +374 94 72 37 79
Project Manager: Gurgen Balasanyan E-mail: gurgenbalasanyan@yahoo.com Cell.: +374 77 00 63 33
Project Manager: Sona Sahakyan E-mail: sahakyansona@yahoo.com Cell.: +374 93 50 59 30
Project Manager: Amalya Stepanyan E-mail: amalyastepanyan@gmail.com Cell.: +374 94 78 53 60
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YIC Armenia
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Project Manager: Valya Martirosyan E-mail: valya.martirosyan@gmail.com Cell.: +374 93 23 13 85
Club Leaders’ Manager: Tamara Khlghatyan E-mail: tamarakhlghatyan@yagoo.com Cell.: +374 93 62 18 09
Project Manager: Tigranuhi Hakobyan E-mail: tigranuhi.hakobyan@yahoo.com Cell.: +374 91 76 23 37
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YIC Armenia
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
International Board
Board Chairperson: Anna Yeghoyan /Armenia/ E-mail: ayeghoyan@yahoo.com Cell.: +374 77 12 56 74
Board Member: Maria Brand /Poland/ E-mail: maja.brand@gmail.com Cell.: +486 04 27 26 39
Board Member: Zhanna Harutyunyan/USA/ E-mail: zhannaharutyunyan@yahoo.com Cell.: +374 91 77 06 34
Board Member: Burcu Bechermen /Turkey/ E-mail: burcu.bechermen@gmail.com Cell.: +9053 27 82 82 65
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YIC Armenia
prepared the report focusing on the programmatic activity and the human resources of the organization.
Active Citizenship Promotion of Volunteering “You are Able” Media Project September 2010 – Current, Gyumri / Armenia
The Media Programme "You Are Able” contributes to the promotion, and recognition of local and international voluntary work. Beginning in September 2011, a group of ten young people joined with the local Tsayg TV Station and participated in a media workshop to prepare for and broadcast reports on the following topics: - the civic activism of youth, including the opportunities and challenges; - the essence of volunteering, and volunteering as a mechanism for promoting youth participation; - the perception of volunteering in the local community and youth in particular; - the socio-cultural and legal limitations and obstacles to volunteering and the promotion and recognition of volunteering; - the impact of volunteering in tackling community issues; - organized and non-organized local and international volunteer opportunities; - the role of civil society institutions in the promotion of youth participation. The first episode aired on October 9, 2011and over the course of the project there will be ten episodes, each consisting of three reports. The programme will run through the end of February. A new episode runs every other week, and the average duration of the programme is 30 minutes. This project has raised a lot of interest among local youth and our stakeholders who follow us via TV and Youtube. The programmes are accessible to more than just local audiences due to the English subtitles that accompany each episode. 6
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
To summarize the past 2 and a half year of our activities we
YIC Armenia
June - August 2010, Gyumri - Yerevan / Armenia
The
online
video
contest
“Volunteerism in Videos” was held with the assistance of: the Centre for Organizing Youth Activities state non-commercial organization of the Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic
of
Armenia,
United
Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme and the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI). The main objectives of the project were to promote volunteering as a means for citizens to participate in development, and to promote the use of media as an innovative means of public expression. The project challenged Armenian individuals and organizations to get inspired and show what they can do to give each other a hand for the future of the nation. The way we saw these issues addressed was through an online video contest focusing on youth volunteerism and entitled “Volunteerism in Videos.” The competition aimed to award one amateur video about volunteerism made by a young person or featuring youth in action. It also aimed to acknowledge volunteering by the young volunteers themselves, using a medium which is both popular and accessible to the wide audience of current and future stakeholders in the field of volunteering– both those who provide voluntary services and those who benefit from them.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
"Volunteering in Videos" Youth Festival with the United Nations
YIC Armenia
December 2010- March 2011, Gyumri – Dilijan - Vardenis - Vanadzor - Yerevan Goris - Stepanavan / Armenia
The touring
photo exhibition
"Poverty Through the Eyes of EVS" was held in cooperation with the Capacity and Development for Civil Society NGO (CDCS), the Stepanavan Youth Center NGO
(SYC),
the
Youth
Cooperation Center of Dilijan NGO (YCCD), the International Center for Intercultural Research, Learning and Dialogue NGO (ICIRLD), and the Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia NGO (FYCA). The aim of the exhibition was to focus the attention of the local Armenian population on the country’s poverty and poverty reduction from the perspective of foreignersparticularly those of EVS volunteers hosted in Armenia. It was further aimed at underlining the local impact of EVS projects and promoting the involvement of Armenian youth in EVS. The photos were displayed through a touring photo exhibition throughout several cities, including Gyumri, Yerevan, Vanadzor, Stepanavan, Dilijan, and Goris (approximately a week-long stop in each city).
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Poverty Through the Eyes of EVS” Touring Photo Exhibition
YIC Armenia
September – December 2011, Yerevan – Dilijan – Goris – Vanadzor – Stepanavan – Gyumri/ Armenia
Gyumri’s Youth Initiative Centre NGO, in cooperation with the Capacity and Development for Civil Society (CDCS), the Stepanavan Youth Center (SYC), the Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan (YCCD), the International Center for Intercultural Research, Learning and Dialogue (ICIRLD), and the Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia (FYCA), implemented a touring photo exhibition entitled "Europe through the Eyes of EVS.” The exhibition’s purpose was to reveal Armenian EVS volunteers’ understanding of Europe that they had gained through their volunteering, European
focusing values
such
participation
on as and
multiculturalism. The exhibition also underlined the local impact of
EVS
projects
and
simultaneouslypromoted EVS. The exhibition was a joint multiplying/EVS promotional activity that was developed by YIC and has already found much support among most Armenian multipliers of the European Commission’s Youth in Action Programme and among other organizations which have experience with EVS and YiA in general. The format of the exhibition was: A touring photo exhibition with week-long stops in Gyumri, Yerevan, Vanadzor, Stepanavan, Dilijan, and Goris; In conjunction with the exhibition there were also supplemental promotional activities: e.g., presentation of EVS, story of an ex-EVS volunteer; A digital/virtual exhibition on a blog from the artistic portal www.rhiz.eu. YIC will promote it through various channels and will also post event updates and photos on the site. This portal will be accessible for EVS volunteers in both Armenia and Europe. The project was implemented with the support of the SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre. The opening of the exhibition took place in Yerevan in September. The photos were later hosted in the cities of Dilijan, Stepanavan, Goris, and Vanadzor, with the final show in Gyumri. The main coordination of the exhibition was carried out by the Youth Initiative Centre NGO in Gyumri.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Europe Through the Eyes of EVS” Touring Photo Exhibition
YIC Armenia
European Voluntary Service Sending “European Kindergarten” January 2010 – July 2010, Poland
Project Duration: 6 months Hosting organization: “Youth Integration and development Association” Project Venue: Krakow, Poland Volunteer Name: Tamara Grigoryan Volunteer Tasks: Helping the teachers and caretakers in Kindergarten
“Each of us give a little bit of ourselves” Sep. 2009 – Sep. 2010, Poland
Project Duration: 12 months Hosting Organization: “Towarzystwo Opieki nad Niepełnosprawnymi’ Project Vanue: Ustron, Poland EVS Volunteer: Maria Arushanyan Volunteer Tasks: Supporting disabled children in the Center.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Youth Initiative Centre NGO has been involved with European Voluntary Service within the framework of the Youth in Action program financed by the European Commission, which provides the opportunity to host European volunteers and send Armenian volunteers abroad to carry out various activities.. The following are examples of the EVS projects YIC has implemented out during 2010 -2011.
YIC Armenia
February 2010 – August 2010, Bulgaria
Project Duration: 7 months Hosting Organization: Traditional Cultural and Sustainable Development Project Venue: Ravnogor, Bulgaria EVS Volunteer: Armine Khachatryan Volunteer Tasks: Organizing in-doors as well as out-doors activities with kids in orphanage, teaching English in secondary school, taking part in local events.
“Youth Information Centre of Evosmos” May 2010 – November 2010, Greece
Project Duration: 6 months Hosting Organization: “Youth Information Centre” of Evosmos Project Venue: Thessaloniki, Greece EVS Volunteer: Artur Najaryan Volunteer Tasks: Assisting the members of the staff producing print materials advertising the events of the Municipal Development Association of Evosmos, Office management, participating in outreach events aimed towards informing and sensitizing local youth populations with regards to the organization's activities, and also European Union programs for young people.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Youth Innovative Centre for Sustainable Rural Development”
YIC Armenia
August 2010 – July 2011, Germany
Project Duration: 12 months Hosting Organization: Kultur Aktiv e. V. Project Venue: Dresden, Germany Volunteer Name: Mary Charukchyan Volunteer
Tasks: Assisting the hosting
organization with the organization of local and international art events.
“Clear Sky + Clear Forest + Clear Water = Pure Inhabitants” October 2010 – July 2011, Romania
Project Duration: 12 months Hosting Organization: ANMRF Louis Pasteur Dej BRAILA Branch Project Venue: Braila, Romania Volunteer Name: Aram Poghosyan Volunteer Tasks: Implementing ecological educational activities using non-formal methods in order to develop the ecological awareness of children and young people in the local communities of Braila County.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Medium Culture”
YIC Armenia
Under-privileged Young People” July 2010 – April 2011, Romania
Project Duration: 11 months Hosting Organization: ANMRF Louis Pasteur Dej BRAILA Branch Project Venue: Braila, Romania Volunteer Name: Liana Jilavyan Volunteer Tasks: Initiating a large advertising campaign to inform underprivileged young people about the European opportunities for youth.
“East & Central & West – Common EVS” August- December 2010, Poland
Project duration: 6 months Hosting Organization: Stowarzyszenie “U Siemachy” Project Venue: Krakow, Poland Volunteer Name: Tamara Grigoryan Volunteer Tasks: Working with children and teenagers: music, art, plays, language training, etc.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Social Community Centre for Social Integration of the
YIC Armenia
May 2011 – January 2012, Belgium
Project Duration: 8 months Hosting Organization: Miroir Vagabond Project Venue: Bourdon, Belgium Volunteer Name: Amalya Stepanyan Volunteer Tasks: Working with refugees, organizing language classes, helping the organization with daily tasks.
“EVS for Causacus” August 2011– April 2012, Poland
Project Duration: 9 months Hosting Organization: Foundation of Education and Creativity Project Venue: Bialystok, Poland Volunteer Name: Anna Vanetsyan Volunteer Tasks: Working with children in the kindergarten: designing games and activities, creating lesson plans, etc.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Animation – Creation”
YIC Armenia
September 2011– August 2012, Norway
Project duration: 1 year Hosting Organization: Fjaler Frivilligsentral Project Venue: Dale I Sunnfjord, Norway Volunteer Name: David Asilbekyan Volunteer Tasks: Assisting the host organization with coordinating voluntary work, and supporting the organization in areas such as culture and social life.
“Showing YOUrope – How to Document & Present International and Local Cultural Projects” October 2011– September 2012 , Germany
Project duration: 12 months Hosting Organization: Kultur Aktive.V Project Venue: Dresden, Germany Volunteer Name: Valya Martirosyan Volunteer Tasks: Assisting the organization with organizing and hosting local and international art events, media, etc.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Volunteer Service Assistant”
YIC Armenia
“New HUYS for Children” October 2009 – July 2010, Gyumri / Armenia
The overall aim of the project was to provide assistance and help of children of Gyumri “HUYS” Children’s. The project also directly aimed at enlarging the scope of knowledge of the local youth on European citizenship; get them to know other cultures. Project Duration: 8 months Partner: Fundacja dla Wolności Project Venue: Gyumri, Armenia EVS Volunteers: Lukasz Maciejczuk, Anna Paradowska Volunteer tasks: Organizing the leisure time of the kids of “HUYS” Children
House, Conducting Polish
club for the young members of YIC , assisting YIC in on-going projects and daily activities.
“Italian Spirit in Gyumri” November 2009- March 2010, Gyumri / Armenia
The general theme of the activity was raising European awareness and fostering cultural exchange in the city of Gyumri. The project was a response to a strongly present interest in Italian culture and language, and a need to facilitate access to European culture in general, especially for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Project Duration:
3 months
Partner: AFSAI Project Venue: Gyumri, Armenia EVS Volunteers: Andrea Filippi Volunteer tasks:
Preparing and conducting
“Italian Club” for YIC members, which included organizing a language club. Assisting Armenian Caritas in Gyumri taking photos and then writing reports for the particular projects (Old Aged Care centres, Orphanages, Social centres, etc) he visited. 16
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Hosting
YIC Armenia
June 2010 – March 2011, Gyumri / Armenia
The overall aim of this project was to promote healthy lifestyles for the youth of the Huys Children House and make their free time more productive by organizing different art, cultural, and linguistic activities with the children.
Project Duration: 9 months Project Venue: Gyumri, Armenia, Volunteers: Krzysztof Karczewski, Monika Sujewicz/ Volunteer Tasks: Organizing leisure activities and programs to improve the lives of Huys orphans, assisting YIC in organizing, conducting, and initiating various youth clubs.
“We Can Do More!!!” October 2010– June 2011, Gyumri, Armenia
The overall aim of the project was to provide rehabilitation and life skills development to the under-privileged youth at the Daily Care Centre in Gyumri, and to make their free time more constructive by organizing different art therapy activities, as well as cultural and linguistic activities, with them. Project Duration: 9 months Project Venue: Gyumri, Armenia Volunteers: Piotr Dudanowicz, Łukasz Skoczylas Volunteer Tasks: Coordinating leisure activities and various programs for disabled children at the centre. Although the main focus of the volunteers’ work was on organizing activities at the centre, the volunteers were also actively involved in the local and international projects of YIC. 17
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“We are Living with HUYS”
YIC Armenia
June 2011- November 2011, Gyumri / Armenia
The general theme of this activity was raising European awareness and fostering cultural exchange in the city of Gyumri. The project was also directly aimed at expanding the scope of knowledge of local Armenian youth about European citizenship.
Project Duration: 6 months Project Venue: Gyumri, Armenia Volunteers: Granit Berisha Volunteer Tasks: Organizing German conversational and cultural clubs for YIC members, and conducting regular linguistic and cultural activities for the pupils of Gyumri German School. Granit also led regular Juggling Workshops for the young people of Gyumri and was actively involved in ongoing activities of the organization.
“Schuman Volunteers Changing Frontiers” October 2011- June 2012, Gyumri, Armenia
The purpose of this project is to encourage healthy lifestyles forthe youth of the Huys Children House and the Armenian Caritas Little Prince Social Centre, and to make their free time more constructive through organizing different art, cultural, and linguistic activities. Project Duration: 9 months Project Venue: Gyumri, Armenia Volunteers: Adam Kowalczuk, Andrzej Podsiadlik Volunteer Tasks:
Organizing
leisure activities and programs to improve the out-of- school lives of Huys orphans, and organizing and assisting with various sport activities at Armenian Caritas Little Prince Social Centre. 18
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“German Culture in Gyumri”
YIC Armenia
October 2011- March 2012, Gyumri / Armenia
The general theme of this activity is raising European awareness and fostering cultural exchange within the city of Gyumri. The project also directly seeks to enlarge the scope of knowledge of the local youth about European citizenship, expose them to other cultures, encourage them to appreciate cultural differences and to view differences as a potential new area of knowledge to acquire. Project Duration: 6 months Project Venue: Gyumri, Armenia, Volunteers: Kasper Badstue Jacobsen Volunteer Tasks: Organizing Danish language and cultural clubs for YIC members, and conducting regular linguistic and cultural activities at Armenian Caritas Little Prince Social Centre.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Danish Spirit in Gyumri”
YIC Armenia
“EVS Mentors’ Training and EVS Presentations” YIC
conducts
trainings
regular
and
EVS
presentations for current EVS mentors and those who are planning
to
become
EVS
mentors. The trainings are primarily members
provided of
YIC,
for and
following the training YIC chooses the top candidates from the members to become mentors for our EVS volunteers. The goal of the training is to present the Youth in Action program with a focus on EVS-- how it functions, how to get involved, the responsibilities and rights of mentors, and other programmatic details. Due to the demand for the trainings from other organizations in addition to YIC members, our EVS Mentors’ Trainings have become open for members from other organizations as well. The trainings are carried with the help of Anna Yeghoyan, who is one of the multipliers of EECA SALTO Resource Centre in Armenia. Each EVS Mentors’ Training is provided for a minimum of 10 participants.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Quality Support System for Volunteers
YIC Armenia
A series of volunteer appreciation activities were organized for YIC’s international and local volunteers. In response to International Volunteer Day, the Youth Initiative Centreorganized a series of events aimed at the promotion of volunteer work locally and internationally. The activities were launched with the opening of the touring photo
exhibition
“Europe
Through the Eyes of EVS” in Gyumri on December 3, 2011, and several more activities followed, all dedicated to international voluntary work with a special emphasis on European Voluntary Service– EVS. The YIC’s Peace Corps Volunteer Kim VanKirk also presented information about her project and the Peace Corps, and assisted with the organizational process of the events. The opening of the exhibition was followed by a presentation about European Voluntary Service. Later in the afternoon, a press conference was held, and attended by YIC staff members and international volunteers. The press conference was followed by a short sightseeing tour for international EVS volunteers, and the event wrapped up with an EVS Experience Evaluation for returned EVS volunteers to share their experiences and feedback with current EVS volunteers.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Celebration of International Volunteer Day”
YIC Armenia
Volunteers” December 5, 2011, Gyumri / Armenia
Gyumri’s
Youth
emphasizing through
the
appreciation
Initiative
local
celebrated
International
Volunteer
Day
by
volunteering
recognition of
Centre
local
and YIC
volunteers. The most active members of YIC who were nominated by the YIC staff team were presented with official
YIC
volunteer
member
cards. The presentation of the volunteer cards was complemented by the sharing of success stories of YIC’s local volunteers and a swearing-in ceremony.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Celebration of International Volunteer Day with YIC Local
YIC Armenia
“YOUth Can Make a Difference” Training Course September20– September 27, 2010, Gyumri, Armenia "YOUth Can Make a Difference" international training course was held in September
2009 in Gyumri, Armenia in cooperation with the Polish Robert Schuman Foundation in the framework of the European Commission "Youth in Action" programme. The 7-day training aimed at promoting active youth participation on local, national, and international levels. It provided youth workers and youth leaders with
knowledge,
skills,
and
tools
on
youth
involvement in decision making and public relations. The training brought together 23 participants from 9 countries
for
sharing
best
practices,
building
partnership, and intercultural exchange. The idea – red-line of the training course was “media”. And from the opening to the closing of the project we tried to make it as “mass media” as possible. The event was broadcasted by local TV channels.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Civic Activism
YIC Armenia
December 16-19, 2010, Gyumri - Yerevan / Armenia
Youth Initiative Centre organized a feasibility visit on conflict management entitled “Despite Everything Peace Will Win” within the framework of Youth in Action. The FV took
place
in
Gyumri
from
the
16th
to
the
19th
of
December.
The aim of the FV was to enhance further dialogue and communication among youth through finding common interests and
topics,
and
building
long-
lasting partnerships between the involved organizations, all of which have different levels of experience in
youth
work.
During the 3 days of the project the staff of Youth Initiative Centre NGO,
in
collaboration
with
partners from France, Greece, and Serbia, worked out more than 4 project
ideas
and
created
an
action
plan.
During their three day stay the representatives from France, Greece, and Serbia had the chance to do some sightseeing and get acquainted with Armenian culture, music, dance, food,
costumes,
and
traditions.
The participants of this FV took home great impressions about Armenia and many projects ideas to realize in the very near future.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Despite Everything Peace Will Win!” Feasibility Visit
YIC Armenia
July 14-20, 2011, Dilijan – Yerevan / Armenia
YIC, in partnership with French Club Unesco de Metz NGO, organized the “Enough Pizza for Everyone!” Training Course on conflict management and negotiation skills within the framework of Youth in Action. The project was financed by the European
Commission
and
took
place in Dilijan from the 14th to the 20th of July.This TC was the result of
another
feasibility
YIC visit
Initiative– called
a
“Despite
Everything Peace Will Win,” held in December
2010.
The objective of the project was to share the culture of peace among young people by providing the opportunity to exchange peace building and cross-border practices. The 7-day TC contributed to the development of peace building and negotiation skills of young people from conflict zones, and shared best practices of peace building and conflict resolution. The TC team and trainers used various interactive methods to create channels of communication between the participants of different cultures and to break stereotypes. Furthermore,
the
TC
promoted
cross-border
dialogue
and
cooperation.
During their time in Armenia, the 36 participants from 17 countries had the chance to experience Armenian culture: food, music and dance. They had the opportunity to spend a full day in Yerevan and enjoy the city.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Enough Pizza for Everyone” Training Course
YIC Armenia
Cultural Awareness
International Club The International Club of Youth Initiative Centre NGO has been functioning since February 2011. The overall aim of the International Club is
to
increase
the
intercultural
awareness of youth in Gyumri and the surrounding communities. The goals of YIC’s International Club have been achieved through the following activities: History and Geography Club and Cultural Peculiarities Cooking Club Cultural Celebration Event During its 9 months of functioning, the International Club has organized three main event series, each focusing on a different country: Armenia, Poland, and Germany. The activities organized by the International Club to raise cultural awareness about these countries were mainly carried out according to the above-mentioned format.. The activities are financially supported by local stakeholders and the in-country embassies of the correspondent countries..
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Intercultural Learning
YIC Armenia
May 19 - June 01 2009, Gyumri / Armenia
The “Endless Bazar” Art Project was held with the partnership of “5th Floor” Cultural Group and the “Youth Initiative Center” (YIC) Informal Youth Group in cooperation with the German Embassy in Yerevan and the “KASA” Swiss-Armenian Foundation. The project was implemented within the “German Weeks in Armenia”. The aim of the project was to contribute
to
the
intercultural
dialogue and to disseminate the concept of multiculturalism in the regions of Armenia: Gyumri and Vanadzor in particular by means of introducing the German modern art to the Armenian society. The project involved young volunteers and members of above mentioned groups and organizations. During the 14 days of the project hosted the German artist Harald Schluttig, author of documentary films, and a photojournalist expressed his interest and desire to organize an exhibition in Gyumri where he would get the chance to present the photos taken in Kabul, Afghanistan. The opening and the exhibition itself had great success with the presence of German Ambassador and Mass Media. The 14 days of the project were full of activities like interviews, meeting with youth, conducting origami bird workshops in Gyumri and in Vanadzor which later was used as an evaluation method of the project.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Endless Bazar” Photo Exhibition
YIC Armenia
September 05 – September 12 2009, Gyumri / Armenia
Following the Initiative of the European Cultural Foundation and with the support of the Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany to Armenia, and the "Youth Initiative Centre" NGO and the "5th Floor" Cultural Group implemented "Stranger Festival" Exhibition in Gyumri. The aim of the project was o contribute to the intercultural dialogue and disseminate the concept of multiculturalism among the Gyumri youngsters. During the 7 days of the festival the videos selected from almost 1000 videos made by young people worldwide were shown in 5 areas, at Gyumri Aesthetic Centre. The selected ones were the best representations
of
their
dreams,
fears
and
questions posed to all of us. Selected videos come from different corners of the world as fragments of a portrait of one generation. Before and during the whole process of the project the Project Coordinator, PR Responsible and the volunteers involved were giving interviews to local radio and TV channels. The Attache de Kulture at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Armenia, Sophie Bohm opened the exhibition, welcoming over 80 people, which was broadcasted by the local media. During the 7 days of the project the exhibition hosted from 20 to 25 visitors per day, most of them were youngsters.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Stranger festival” Video Festival
YIC Armenia
The aim of this project is to foster communication and cultural exchange, as well as establish contacts and friendship among small groups of youth from Armenia and Azerbaijan. There is currently a lack of communication between Armenians and Azerbaijanis because of past conflicts, and as a result there is virtually no contact, no understanding, and ultimately no trust between these two nations. This project as one way to "break the ice “between Armenia and Azerbaijan, will create an opportunity for intercultural communication and cultural exchange, and will promote understanding between the people of these two countries with the hope of making us see not only our differences but also the great similarities we share as people of the Caucasus as well as neighbors. Everyone is eligible to participate in an Armenia-Azerbaijan online cultural exchange project “We can, We will Do it Together” by following www.arm-az-exchange.ucoz.com link and registering in the web-page. The „We Can, We Will do it Together” project is implemented in the framework of "Getting
Involved!”
Foundation, Theodor
Program,
under
HeussKolleg, the
financial program
support of
of Eurasia Partnership
Robert
Bosch Foundation and
Association MitOst and Zivik Program of the German Federal Foreign Office and the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations.
Language Skills Development
YIC carries out various activities which help the members’ linguistic development. YIC, with the help of EVS, Peace Corps, and local volunteers, holds various language clubs for members. During 2011, nearly 80 young people per month attended French, English, Spanish,
Turkish,
Danish,
and
German
language clubs.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“We Can, We will do it Together” On-line cultural exchange
YIC Armenia
Art Promotion ART Workshop “Interkultural Zentrum” Austria, in cooperation
with
the
Youth
Initiative Centre NGO in Gyumri, and in collaboration with the City of Warsaw, organized a two-day workshop in Gyumri on the 16th and 17th of October 2010 within the framework of Transkaukazja 2011. The workshop was designed to spark the creativity of young people through showing them the possibilities of artistic expression and encouraging their reflections of life circumstances in the places where they live. For this purpose a very simple “tool” from the everyday life of youth was used – theirmobile phones/cameras. The idea was to show that artistic expression is not dependent uponfancy equipment, and to encourage the youngsters to participate- and have their works shown- in the international competition Transkaukazja 2011. During the two day workshop, 9 short films were created by the participants with the help of the trainers.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Art and Media
YIC Armenia
The aim of this initiative was to bring change into the monotonous lives of local youth by organizing
open
air
movie
screenings in the evenings. This initiative began in August, and we had two movie showings before the weather changed and got too cold. The topic of the first movie was decided upon by staff, and the second movie was suggested by the members of our organization. The free, open air movie will resume
in
the spring.
Support for Young Artists “Colorful Europe” YIC is always giving space and support for creative youth. “Colorful Europe” was the initiative of youth group. The aim of the project was to “bring Europe closer”. YIC provided space; a room for young people who renovated it with the support of Eurasia Youth Bank. The room has the visual atmosphere of
Europe
and
will
host
various
Language and cultural clubs as well as will have “Europe Club” which will provide information about different European Structures as well will show all possible opportunities that European Structures provide. 31
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Open Air Cinema
YIC Armenia
The
project
‘FrOZen’
was
implemented
by
Koza
organization
in
Istanbul,
cooperation
with
5th
Visual in
Floor
Cultural Group in Gyumri. The project’s purpose was to promote
intercultural dialogue
between certain communities in Armenia and Turkey. YIC assisted with the logistics of the project.
*** A group of 8 journalists from Turkey visited Armenia from June 27th to July 3rd 2011 in the third year of Turkey-Armenia Journalist Dialogue Programme; a programme organized by Hrant Dink Foundation in cooperation with Heinrich Böll Stiftung Turkey Office since 2009. During the visit, the Youth Initiative Centre of Gyumri YIC organised a special meeting for the group by inviting YIC members and young people who shared their perspective on Armenia, on the 1988 earthquake, on the border and on volunteering and youth movements in Armenia.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Frozen” and “Journalists Exchange” Projects
YIC Armenia
Personal Development Soft skills development workshops YIC, with the assistance of Peace Corps volunteers Amanda Pascal and Kim VanKirk, has been organizing regular workshops in the development of business soft skills for YIC members throughout the whole of 2010 and 2011. During those 4 rounds approximately 10-15 young people attended each workshop. Workshops to teach about the purpose and etiquette of e-mail, how to write a CV motivation letters, and cover letters, and how to prepare for a job interview were conducted to help the members of YIC develop soft skills and have been very productive and useful.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Education
YIC Armenia
“Let Aregak Shine Brighter” The
Smile
Project
“Let
Aregak Shine Brighter” took place on the 16th and 17th of June 2011. It was a twoday
event
organized
in
Gyumri, Armenia to benefit the Aregak daycare center for disabled children. The Aregak Center is the only daycare center in all of Armenia. With the support of IREX Armenia, Youth Initiative Center NGO, and Armenian Caritas, it became possible to arrange a big event for the disabled children at the center. The funding came from a grant provided by the ’Smile Projec’t of IREX and contributions from the Youth Initiative Centerand Armenian Caritas. The event began on the evening of June 16th, with the sketching of fairy tale characters on the walls using projectors. The sketches were done by very skilled artists from Gyumri. There were 5-6 artists involved in this event who, the next day, helped the kids and the other volunteers and invitees draw and paint the sketches. On the 2nd day of the event more than sixty people gathered to participate and help. Some worked in the backyard to seed the lawn, and others helped with painting the wall. The event was a real success, first and foremost, for the disabled kids at this center. During this project, they worked alongside other children and adults and made their own contribution to improving their yard and brightening the walls.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Other
YIC Armenia
Gyumri’s
Youth
Initiative
Centre
NGO
organized "YOUth Dream Night," devoted to European Youth week. The event consisted of two parts, the first of which was a workshop where
participants
worked
together
to
make
Dreamlights. Later in the evening, once the Dreamlights were complete, the participants made wishes and sent their Dreamlights into the sky.
“Earth Hour” YIC organized an “Earth Hour” event in Gyumri. “Earth Hour” has done a lot to raise awareness
about
conservation
and
sustainability issues. During the day, YIC members distributed flyers and posters about “Earth Hour,” which challenged people to turn off electricity for one hour. But there’s more to it than just switching off lights for one hour once a year. It’s really about giving people a voice and working together to create a better future for our planet.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“YOUth Dream Night”
YIC Armenia
The CNN Freedom Project uses the paper airplane as a symbol of the path towards freedom. With the help of Peace Corps Volunteer Amanda Pascal, YIC organized an event with the youth in Gyumri. We made a paper airplane of our own; on one wing, we wrote one of the three following statistics: each year, between 600,000 and 800,000 human beings are captured and transported across international borders; there are at least 10 million slaves in the world today; there are more slaves now than any other point in human history. On the other wing, we wrote a message of hope to the victims of slavery in our own words. The video was made and uploaded, and later it was broadcasted on CNN.
International Projects with YIC The members of YIC have the unique opportunity to participate in various International Partnership Projects and represent YIC and Armenia abroad. Throughout the whole year 2011,
27
people
from
YIC
participated in various international projects. YIC held a presentation for our members
during
which
the
participants from these various international projects presented the projects they participated in.
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
“Paper Airplanes For Freedom”
YIC Armenia
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Flashmobs
YIC organizes various flashmobs.
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YIC Armenia
YIC is membership-based organization. Armenian citizens as well as foreign citizens are eligible to become YIC members once they turn 14 (those under the age of 16 can join with the permission of their parents or guardian). As of December 2011 YIC has 244 full members, which includes 21 volunteers, 8 volunteer team members, and 5 international board members. In addition, the organization is currently hosting 4 international volunteers, among them one USA Peace Corps volunteer and 3 EVS volunteers. Members and volunteers of YIC get priority to participate in all of the local and international projects of YIC. The organization also gives space and support for members to realize their own initiatives that encourage team-building and recognition of members’ contributions. So far, the following activities have taken place that specifically targets our members.
Hiking Aragats
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Human Resources
YIC Armenia
“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
Halloween
Talent Show and Star Event
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YIC Armenia
and volunteers, as well as to ensure the democratic participation of members in decision-making processes, the following measures are taken: YIC General Assembly; Monthly Member Meetings; Regular Volunteer Meetings; YIC Orientation Workshops for new members.
For Youth With Youth By Youth
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“YOUTH INITIATIVE CENTRE’’ YIC NGO YOUTH CENTRE [Type your address] INITIATIVE [Type your phone number] [Type your e-mail address] NGO
To enhance consistent feedback and the exchange of information with members