Empowering the Next Generation of Young Leaders in Armenia

During Open Gov Week in 2023, 155 students in Armenia took part in a series of trainings aimed at shaping youthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... More as the future leaders in decision-making processes. The trainings were organized by the Prime Minister’s Office with the financial support of UNDP Armenia to create an inspiring platform for the students to learn and foster their potential through open government principles.

Understanding the Concept of Open Government

We started the training with an introduction to the concept of open government and its importance in upholding democracy and ensuring good governance. Through interactive sessions, they learned about the fundamental principles of open government, including transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, accountability, and citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More. By grasping these concepts, students gained a deeper understanding of the role they can play in shaping their communities 

Raising Awareness of OGP

The students learned more about the Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More (OGP), the commitments made by governments at the local, national, and international levels to promote open government through case studies and real-life examples. They also explored the progress achieved thus far and the challenges that persist. 

Building Capacity for Civic Engagement

The participants discovered various way to engage in civic activities and contribute to the OGP process. They learned about co-creation, implementation, monitoring, and reporting on government activities, as well as advocating for policy changes and collaborating with other stakeholders. 

Encouraging Innovation and Creativity

We introduced the students to a plethora of tools and technologies that promote open government, including open dataBy opening up data and making it sharable and reusable, governments can enable informed debate, better decision making, and the development of innovative new services. Technical specifications: Polici... platforms, social media, and mobile applications. By exploring these resources, we encouraged the participants  to think outside the box and find innovative solutions to societal challenges. 

“It was amazing experience to learn how to actively engage and contribute to making positive changes in my community.”

“I used to think that citizen participation was limited to voting, but now I see the power of participatory decision-making. Our voices truly matter.”

Fostering a Culture of Transparency and Accountability

The students were made aware of the benefits of open government, including increased trust in government, improved public services, and more effective policy-making. We reflected with the students about the benefits of practicing open government, including increased trust in government, improved public services, and more effective policy-making. Moreover, we outlined the risks of corruption and the importance of holding governments accountable for their actions. By understanding these dynamics, the students became advocates for transparency and agents of change in their communities.

Invited Speakers and Open Platform

We invited  government officials and representatives from civil society organizations to speak at our training to share their experiences and provide concrete examples of successful open government commitments and OGP action plans. We provided a space for the students to actively engage with the speakers in a vibrant and inclusive environment.

By equipping the next generation of leaders with the principles of open government, we are paving the way for a more inclusive and participatory society, where young voices have the power to shape the future of governance.