Armenia weighs wider youth participation in public administration

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired a consultation on October 30 about how young people can participate more actively in public administration. According to an official account from the prime minister’s office, Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan presented existing initiatives designed to introduce young people to government work and strengthen their practical skills.

Among the programmes discussed were Become a Volunteer, Youth Debate and the Summer School of Law. Officials considered how internships and volunteering opportunities might be expanded beyond the Ministry of Justice to other public bodies, rather than remaining isolated projects.

The consultation also addressed the need for a stable system that can be monitored and that encourages young people to participate in the development of their communities and the state. Pashinyan described placements and voluntary work as opportunities to gain experience in public administration and stressed the need for systematic rules. He issued instructions to pursue the work, the government said.

The meeting did not itself establish a new nationwide programme or announce measurable participation targets. Important questions remain about selection criteria, accessibility for young people outside the capital, supervision and whether participants will gain pathways into public service. The discussion signals an intention to develop existing schemes, while their eventual reach will depend on subsequent decisions and implementation.