On August 18, 2024, Armenia Peace Initiative (API), in partnership with the State Crisis Management Academy of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Armenia, held an awards ceremony for volunteers who had completed the ‘First Aid Elements’ course in the border community of Tavush. Colonel Armine Hayrapetyan, Acting Rector of the Academy, attended the event, supervised the sessions, assessed the practical work and presented certificates to 22 volunteers from the communities of Berd and the village of Verin Karmiraghbyur, along with the mayor of Berd, Astghik Hakobyan.
‘Due to the high demand, 2 to 3 additional first aid sessions will be organised in Berd. We also discussed with community leaders potential measures to reduce the risk of natural disasters by involving young people,’ said A. Hayrapetyan.
Gevorg Chobanyan, acting head of the municipality’s development, education, culture, sports, youth and trade programmes department, stressed the importance of any safety-related training in border communities, saying that the current problems must be solved by the citizens themselves, using their knowledge and skills. He welcomed all teaching methods and formats.
‘The proximity of the border is our advantage. The young people of Tavush are proud and resilient, and we have formed a youth council within the municipality to carry out new projects. The more we invest in young people, the stronger our state will be,’ concluded Gevorg Chobanyan.