AUA Supports European Planning Meeting Yerevan 2018

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YEREVAN, Armenia ‒ On March 8 through 12 2018, over 200 youth workers from 25 European countries gathered in Yerevan to participate in the youth conference “European Planning Meeting Yerevan 2018: “Borderless Europe: Can We Really Dream that Big?”. The event was organized by Yerevan European Students’ Forum (AEGEE-Yerevan) Youth NGO with funding from the European Union (EU) Delegation in Armenia and technical support from the American University of Armenia (AUA).

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, made a video address to the attendees noting that “Armenia and the European Union have never been closer than today.” Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia, Levon Mkrtchyan, President of AEGEE-Europe, Louise Rutten, President of AEGEE-Yerevan and the main organizer of the European Planning Meeting (EPM) Yerevan 2018, Armenak Minasyants, as well as the Content Managers of the EPM Yerevan 2018, Marlene Rene and Natalia Klimenko, made opening remarks on the second day of the event hosted at AUA.

AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian opened the plenary session of the conference remarking that “On behalf of the American University of Armenia, I welcome you all to Armenia and to our university. We are pleased to co-sponsor this gathering of the European Student Forum. The goals and mission of your organization closely match those of our university: promotion of entrepreneurship, development of sustainable economy, unleashing the potential of young people in high technologies, and mobility of students. Indeed, our Entrepreneurship & Product Innovation Center (EPIC) is the first university-based incubation center in Armenia, our Acopian Center for the Environment is very active in issues related to environmental conservation and sustainable economic development, and our degree programs in engineering, computer science and data sciences aim at preparing the future leaders of the rapidly growing Armenian technology sector. Furthermore, we are strong believers in student mobility, as it enriches the experience of all students through exposure to a diversity of cultures and experiences. Indeed, in recent years, we have had a growing number of students from Europe and North America studying at AUA for one or more semesters, and our own students going abroad for similar periods.” Dr. Der Kiureghian wished the participants an enjoyable and productive meeting.

During the EPM Yerevan 2018, participants from 25 European countries, together with representatives of business, civil society, academia, and media, discussed top priorities of the EU Eastern Partnership program. The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between the Republic of Armenia and the EU on November 24, 2017 was a particular focus of discussion. Further topics covered at the conference were Armenia-EU political cooperation framework, promotion of entrepreneurship among the Armenian youth, sustainable economic development, encouragement of youth involvement in high technologies, as well as use of the EU Erasmus+ Program to provide better opportunities for young people.

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.