November 17^th is the International Students’ Day, once again highlighting the importance of young people and especially students in our society.

The date commemorates the anniversary of the 1939 Nazi storming of the University of Prague after demonstrations against the German occupation of Czechoslovakia. The Nazis rounded up the students, murdered nine student leaders and sent over 1,200 students to concentration camps. They subsequently closed all Czech universities and colleges. The same day an anti-fascist student coalition was set up on the streets of Prague. In late 1939 the Nazi authorities in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia suppressed a demonstration in Prague held by students of the Medical Faculty of Charles University. The demonstration was held on 28 October to commemorate the anniversary of the independence of the Czechoslovak Republic (1918).

Two years later, in 1941, students from different European countries decided to mark November 17 as the International Students’ Day at the London International Student Council, as the fight against fascism.

Later in the second half of the 1980’s, Prague students began to celebrate that day as a day of independence. In 1989, November 17, a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia was launched.

Nowadays, November 17 is a day of symbolic consolidation of students that celebrate many countries, including Armenia.

Congratulations on your holiday, dear students, wishing you endless happiness, great achievements in education, life, in all your endeavors, in favor of our society and country, will and vigor to effectively fulfill your youthful desires…

On November 15^th of 2018, in partnership with “Bridge of Hope” NGO and YSUIB Aygehovit Community Development Voluntary Group, an intellectual game-competition entitled “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities” was held in Lusadzor community dedicated to the Month of Protection of the Rights of People with Disabilities (November 15- December 15).

31 students of Lusadzor, A.Vasilyan, Azatamut, Getahovit, Gandzakar, Khashtarak, and H. Chughuryan Secondary Schools participated in the intellectual game.

The intellectual game was attended by YSUIB Director’s assistant A. Eganyan and students.

The Holy Priest of Sevqar and Sarigyukh communities, Levon Hakobyan opened the game with a prayer.

The game-competition was conducted by psychologists and educators of Ijevan Branch of “Bridge of Hope” NGO Julietta Dovlatbekyan, Narek Antonyan, Aneta Sarhatyan and Vahe Arustamyan.

The intellectual game ended with the victory of students of Azatamut secondary school.

All participants received certificates and encouraging gifts, and the winning team also received a diploma.

At the end of the game, the participants expressed their impressions and desire to frequently participate in similar projects.

All the photos of the competition are available in the gallery.

 On November 15^th of 2018, Ijevan Civic Youth Center hosted a seminar entitled “Freedom of Information: Law and Practice “, conducted by Levon Barseghyan, Board chairman of “Asparez” Journalists’ Club.

The seminar was attended by YSUIB coordinator of the work with graduates and external stakeholders, Erine Gharayan and students of the journalism faculty.

The purpose of the seminar was to present the international norms of freedom of information adopted by the Republic of Armenia.

During the seminar on “Freedom of Information: Law and Practice “, in particular, the idea that everyone had the right to freely express his/her opinion was highlighted. That right included the freedom to be persistent in his/her opinion, to receive and impart information and ideas, without the interference of state bodies and independent from state boundaries.

It was emphasized that the freedom of expressing viewpoints might be restricted solely by law, for protection of national security, public order, health and morals or to the honor and reputation of others and to other fundamental rights and freedoms. It was noted that the RA Law on “Freedom of Information” was adopted on September 23th of 2003, entered into force on November 15^th of 2003.

The trainer also presented information holders and put forward that information could be proactive and reactive.

 The seminar was in an engaging and interactive atmosphere.