City of white dream: Spitak

During this PINK Summer Spitak was not in our agenda, but it appeared on it because of active youth from Spitak. Astghik and Ashkhen, who participated in our “Knowledge and Rights” training in Vanadzor, approached to us after the training and suggested to do organize the same training in Spitak as well, young people in Spitak also need to receive such kind of knowledge.

So here, after a year, Spitak welcomes in the frames of “Knowledge and Rights” two day training. Ashkhen, who participated in the “GATE” camp and who is also the president of “Helsinki group in Spitak” NGO, committed all the organizational questions of the training with a great willingness. More than 15 people gathered in YMCA center and were discussing about tolerance, discrimination and human rights, studying and analyzing stereotypes and prejudice.

Not only did these young people pleasantly surprised us with their knowledge, but also with their skills of singing.

Our “Knowledge and Rights” training and camp participant Gor also joined us. Gor and Ashkhen shared their impressions about the camp and inspired the training participants to apply and take part in the second camp.

We hope that our training is also an occasion for these young people in Spitak to unite and to work together for creating the city of their dreams. 

"Green Kapan"

After the training held in Goris , Nvard and Lusine thanked the organizers and supporters and moved to Kapan, the regional center of Syunik. The devious path was dangerous, meantime immensely beautiful. Alice, Kolya and Sargis, our best friends, were already waiting for Nvard and Lusine in Kapan. After having a bit of rest together, we went to discover the beautiful sights of Kapan.

On the next morning the participants of the training were waiting for us in “Kapan Women’s Resource Center” NGO’s office.The organizers of the training mentioned that it’s very hard to motivate the youth to participate in such kind of events there, that’s why the number of participants was comparatively low.

The most interesting and praiseworthy fact for us was that the participants of the training were the active members of “Green Kapan “civic movement which was quite active at that time. It was very important for them to get knowledge and advices that could help them in their future activity and struggle. That’s why we called this article “Green Kapan”; to show our respect and support to such civic initiatives and movements that take place with the efforts of Kapan youth nowadays.

Goris: the land of caves

At the end of July Nvard and Lusine went to have the training session “Knowledge and rights” in Goris, Syunik region. Nestled in a bowl of green hills and mountains, with interesting formations and many previously inhabited caves in them, Goris has some of the nicest overall Armenian architecture in Armenia. Instead of starting the training course in Goris, they started it on their way, talking with passengers about democracy, tolerance, human rights etc.

After long way to Goris, they were getting ready to start the training and went to the office of Women’s Development “Resource Center” Foundation in early morning. It’s one of the most dynamic organizations in that region, which works not only with women, but also with general youth trying to involve them in civic activism. Nvard and Lusine were very happy to meet there the famous human rights defender Artak Sakunts who welcomed their initiative, too.

We had about 20 participants in Goris. The youth of that town makes its first steps towards activism and toward shaping the civic society of their own. We have brought into being one of the first pillars of civic society by providing them fundamental knowledge and skills. And now, our partner organizations functioning in Goris will continue our work so that the youth becomes more responsible for its own future.

We had about 20 participants in Goris. The youth of that town makes its first steps towards activism and toward shaping the civic society of their own. We have brought into being one of the first pillars of civic society by providing them fundamental knowledge and skills. And now, our partner organizations functioning in Goris will continue our work so that the youth becomes more responsible for its own future.

Vanadzor: city of green wind

After 3 wonderful days in Gyumri we arrived to Vanadzor, placed between mountains and forests. All what we wanted to feel during this hot summer we found there, light wind, that was blowing from the green mountains, bringing freshness and smell of the forests.

Beside the beauty of the nature of Lori region we also noticed that people are very nice. It was such a great experience for us to communicate with youth from Lori region.

Our training took place at NGO Center Vanadzor office and we are very thankful for their support and involvement in organizing it.

Participants were students, activists and just people who were interested in youth activism, human rights, gender issues and more.

Our impressions from training were that young citizens are willing to raise problems and find solutions for them, make a change and empower city for development.

Vanadzor is a city where you can find well known youth organizations. But the most important for us is that famous and respected human rights defender Artur Sakunts has a powerful organization there, and his team works to promote democracy, peace, freedom and to protect human rights in all Armenia.

This was not our first work trip to Vanadzor and not the last. Vanadzor and its activists are one of good examples for Armenia that others should follow and learn.

Gyumri rules

Hey good morning, after great time in Gyumri it was hard to sit in front of computer and share all the best with you. That beautiful city is getting more and more active every year, that makes us happy, they have nice places, amazing organizations that make positive changes for people.

First of all we want to thank New Generation NGO and their staff for spending their free time with us. One thing was cruel, Lusine was working all the time, she was coordinating our interviewers in Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor, so all the time she was on the phone and working till late evening.

Sevak joined us on Saturday, spent great time with the team and on Sunday morning he went to do his favorite thing - of course he visited museums. Smart decision to learn more about the history of Gyumri. While Sevak and Nvard were walking from one museum to another and enjoying the architecture of the city, Lusine was doing her work with interviewers.
Mamikon finally managed to have the first staff meeting of the new project which is built on a strong relations of PINK and New Generation NGOs.Meeting was more than perfect. Professional and well prepared staff, and the best doctor in Gyumri will work on HIV prevention project in Gyumri.

- When I say doctor, he is not just a doctor, he is the most tolerant, smart and interesting person I could imagine, he talks about sexual and reproductive rights better than anybody I have ever met,- Mamikon shared his thoughts with us.

Ok, what we missed, oh Saturday evening. Another group of friends invited us to a nice place. You know who they are, young and smart generation of Gyumri, these are Youth Initiative Centre and 5th Floor NGO representatives. And what a nice surprize, they had guests from Turkey, a group of journalists and a representative from Hrant Dink Foundation.

There is another thing, which is really important in Gyumri, if you are there and you want great food, there are several nice places. But it is almost tradition to go to "Fish place". Have you ever heard about the "Fish place" in Gyumri? Oh, we went there. That was something unbelievable, no more comments.

To be honest, those 3 wonderful days in Gyumri gave us so much positive feelings. We already think to take one week vacation in August and spend it there.

Thank you Gyumri, thank you people!

It is summer, make your days pink

This year PINK will make your days more colorful, will conduct events and organize interesting meetings with youth. All the details of our work-trips, holidays and fun we share will you in this blog and also tweet them via @pinkarmenia. You may follow #pinksummer hashtag on twitter as well.

Everything is so simple and so pink, take your chance to spend your summer with PINKies.