Alumni Forum Series: AUA Hosts a Talk on Rural Development

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On March 23, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted its second forum in the Beyond the Campus: Alumni Stories series, titled “Catalysts for Rural Development: Multi-geographic Evidence.”

The forum’s speaker Nune Harutyunyan (BAEC ‘18) earned an M.Sc. in development management from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Harutyunyan first talked about her research study, a comparative case analysis between Bolivia and Armenia that discusses the role of the respective type of local governance in implementing Information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the context of rural development initiatives. Given the challenges these two drastically different yet similarly landlocked countries face and the economic activities they carry out, Harutyunyan highlighted the importance of allocating clearly defined agency to local governments for the implementation of development initiatives in a participatory approach. 

Harutyunyan also discussed a novel impact measurement tool — social return on investment, which she had utilized in a recent consultancy project. She explained how a rural development project implemented in Equatorial Guinea had found a positive correlation between amounts invested in boosting farmers’ agricultural practices and the number of years of education attained by the children under their care. Further analyzing these social returns and other implicit outcomes from these types of investments, the speaker stressed the importance of using broader thinking when analyzing the implications of development, underscoring that investments can result in direct or indirect beneficiaries that could become tomorrow’s high performing citizens who will significantly contribute to the state’s economy. 

The speaker concluded wishing that these kinds of forums continue and hopefully bring about further conversations on the multi-sided outcomes of development practices, while encouraging dialogue among professionals in the field across geographical boundaries. A lively discussion followed the talk.

Beyond the Campus: Alumni Stories aims to foster sustained relationships and professional networks among AUA alumni, students, and faculty, as well as help current students explore opportunities and make post-graduation career or further education plans. The forum is free and open to the public.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.