AUA’s King’s Speech Club Hosts National Public Speaking Competition

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On Saturday, September 26, 2015, the American University of Armenia (AUA)’s ‘The King’s Speech’ club, with sponsorship and support from the Jinishian Memorial Foundation, hosted the final round of the annual national public speaking competition, “Voice of Youth.” The competition has taken place for two consecutive years in Armenia, with this year’s competition welcoming 40 participants, ages 17-22, from high schools and universities in Vanadzor, Armavir, Gyumri, and Yerevan. Twelve finalists gathered at Saturday’s final round to compete for first place.

Although participants were given speech topics a week in advance, exact topics were only revealed an hour before the presentations. Jury members consisted of AUA’s Director of Admissions Arina Zohrabian, Instructors Sos Baghramyan and Madlene Minassian, and Adjunct Lecturer Hilda Grigorian. The top three finalists received literature about public speaking, with first place being awarded to Lilit Shahinyan.

“Voice of Youth” aims to develop a more sustainable public speaking and communication culture and also support and enhance platforms of free speech in Armenia. AUA and the Jinishian Memorial Foundation have long been contributing to the development free speech culture and public speaking through education and civic engagement.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.