The youth camp “Let’s Try!” collected 50 youngsters from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia on 25-30 August in Kobuleti, Georgia. The Project participants have been selected by the three coordinating organizations taking into account their motivation.
“If in Europe the international youth cooperation is developed enough, in the Caucasus countries we still have problems. The youth NGOs and clubs do not have relevant information about opportunities of youth projects or about the regional cooperation. Still public diplomacy mechanisms should be developed. Peace in the region is one of the key
issues of the young generation”, as was mentioned by Atom Mkhitaryan, the President of the Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia (FYCA).
With the financial assistance of the US Embassy of Armenia and with the collaboration with Droni youth organization (Georgia) and Free Youth Association (Azerbaijan) FYCA supports active youth groups and initiatives, in particular the youngsters of the region who are considered to be public diplomats, with the aim of youth dialogue development and strengthening the trust in the region.
Youth has an important role in the peacebuilding process. The aim of the Project is to promote the development of youth projects and youth NGOs of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia through non formal education and to involve them in the process of public diplomacy of the region.
According to Atom Mkhitaryan the Project “Let’s Try” has put forward the idea of ensuring an atmosphere of dialogue in the Caucasus through youth non formal meetings. In three countries youth initiative groups will be created where active youngsters of 18-25 will be involved. In the meantime the Project organizers will promote the youngsters be more active using all the opportunities of the mass media, as well as it is anticipated that a regional youth network will be created.
During the youth summer camp “Let’s Try” the youngsters got acquainted with mechanisms of human rights, communication, the role of the mass media and the development of the public opinion. The Project participants watched the movie “Youth – A Step Forward” produced by FYCA during the camp. Also they took photos with the topic of peace in Batumi and Kobuleti which at the end of the Project were exhibited near one of the seashores of Kobuleti where a number of people were found. The camp was concluded with a flashmob with the theme “Youth for Peace” organized by joint efforts of youngsters.
Astghik Avetisyan, Kobuleti