YEREVAN. – A series of lectures, familiarization visits and expert meetings on various issues of democracy were arranged this week for 20high school students from across Armenia as part of the Summer School on Democracy organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The programme aims to expand the students’ knowledge of the main principles and values of democracy, promote awareness on human rights and good governance.

“Democracy is essential for security and stability in the country and in the region,” said Ambassador Andrey Sorokin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “The potential of young people is a valued resource which needs to be empowered now. The more we invest now, the greater the outcome we can anticipate in the future.”

A one-week programme ending tomorrow includes a number of educational workshops in Yerevan, several meetings with international and local experts on democracy and human rights, and visits to a number of state institutions, such as the President’s Office, the National Assembly, the Central Electoral Commission, the Human Rights Defender’s Office (Ombudsman), the Ministry of Defence, Police, and NGOs.

Tamara Sahakyan, a high school student from Tsakhkahovit, said: “The Summer School gave us an opportunity to realize our rights and obligations, to get first-hand information about the system of the governance in our country and to exchange views on a number of issues. It enables us to become a more dedicated citizen who can make a valid contribution to the benefit of the society.”

The students were selected after an essay contest launched by the Office earlier thisyear on topics related to democracy. Twenty candidates whose essays were considered as the best and who successfully passed the interview stage were selected frommore than 100 entries.

On completing the bSummer School, participants will get certificates and promotional gifts.