Fostering Youth Initiatives Through Information Computer Technologies

In December 2011, the trainees of a computer basic training course that were mainly the youth of Armavir Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church with an inspiration applied to an OSi grant “Armenia’s Youth Action Fund “ getting access to the link in Facebook social network. This is a new initiative aimed at supporting youth designed and youth led ideas. The group was led by Khachatur Hambardzumyan, a 21 year old student from Jhrashat village.
Yet, in November 2011 a group of young people took part at a meeting organized by the computer center site staff and ART programme coordinator in the frames of the project called “Computer Literacy for Everyone and Sustainability of the Computer Centers”. During the meeting they were introduced to the technological opportunities not only as working tools but also an access to information and expression. These facilities were previously unavailable to the traditionally closed societies in which people work and bring infinite possibilities for education, intercultural dialogue and professional development.
Young people were very enthusiastic and motivated with the suggested new ideas and innovative solutions to community challenges.
In January 2012, the youth of Armavir Diocese were announced of winning of the OSi Youth Initiatives Fund and awarded with an amount of 300.000AMD that will be spent on building two bus-stops on the main road connecting different communities.
This initiative aims to support and change the life within communities and tie the inter-community links. This initiative is the first step towards the social and economic challenges in the rural communities that is initiated with the use of technologies. Encouraged with the results these young people will continue to use the ICTs and their own ingenuity to remove social barriers and create new opportunities for further developments in their communities and become a part of a global network of youth that will build alliances across borders and continents.