YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) College of Humanities and Social Sciences is pleased to share that on February 19-22, AUA student Astghik Khalatyan (BAPG ’28) from the Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance (BAPG) program participated in the World Youth Forum organized by the Centre for Diplomatic Advancement (CDA), a youth led organization dedicated to advancing diplomatic relations and peace around the world.
The four-day program brought together young leaders from around the world to engage in discussions on global challenges, leadership, diplomacy, and innovation.
Within the framework of the forum, 130 delegates delivered speeches addressing pressing global issues or proposing concrete policy-oriented solutions. Astghik’s speech focused on youth empowerment, education, and the importance of moving from symbolic inclusion to structural participation in decision-making processes. It received particularly strong engagement from the audience and was later featured on CDA’s official social media platforms.
Astghik attributes her success to the BAPG program, which consistently emphasizes critical thinking, policy analysis, and structured argumentation. These skills helped her articulate her ideas clearly and confidently in an international setting. Courses that involved debates, presentations, and policy writing particularly strengthened her ability to communicate complex political issues in an accessible and persuasive way.
In addition, Astghik has served as a peer mentor and the leader of the Student Ambassadorship Program at AUA, which fostered her leadership skills and helped her become more comfortable speaking in front of diverse audiences and defending her viewpoints in constructive dialogue.
According to her, the forum provided not only an opportunity to represent AUA on an international stage, but also to exchange ideas with driven young leaders committed to creating positive change. Looking ahead, Astghik plans to integrate those perspectives into her academic research and future professional work, with a particular focus on international cooperation, youth participation in policymaking, and inclusive governance practices.
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 and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
