Faculty members and students from the YSU Faculty of Sociology delivered presentations and took part in a debate and panel discussion in the COP17 Green Zone as part of events organized by the Armenian University Coalition for Biodiversity. The faculty's participation and the events aimed to explore the social significance of biodiversity, its perception in Armenian society, and the roles of sociology and social work in addressing environmental challenges.
The program began with an introductory meeting, during which participants explored the pavilions in the COP17 Green Zone.
Yuliana Melkumyan, Head of the YSU Chair of Social Work and Social Technologies, Candidate of Sociological Sciences and Associate Professor, delivered the opening remarks, outlining the agenda and planned activities.
"While preparing for the event, we identified new areas for research and gained a fresh perspective on the relationship between social life and biodiversity," Melkumyan emphasized.
Throughout the day, faculty students conducted an online survey among participants to assess their awareness and knowledge of biodiversity and explore public perceptions of the issue.
Aram Vartikyan, Assistant Professor at the YSU Chair of Applied Sociology and Candidate of Sociological Sciences, delivered an expert presentation titled "The Added Social Value of Biodiversity."
Students enrolled in the bachelor's programs "Social Work" and "Public Relations" participated in a debate titled "Challenges of Mining," discussing the environmental, economic and social consequences of opening the Amulsar mine.
One of the key events was a panel discussion titled "Green Social Work," featuring lecturers from the Faculty of Sociology. Mira Antonyan, Associate Professor at the Chair of Social Work and Social Technologies, emphasized the importance of understanding the factors influencing the environmental behavior of vulnerable groups and involving them in community decision-making.
Arthur Atanesyan, Head of the Chair of Applied Sociology, Doctor of Political Sciences and Professor, presented five sociological questions concerning perceptions of biodiversity in Armenian society.
The discussion concluded with remarks from Tatevik Karapetyan, lecturer at the Chair of Social Work and Social Technologies, who highlighted key questions relevant to future academic research.
Interactive games in the program gave participants opportunities to revolve discussions around biodiversity and hear one another's perspectives. The events brought together academic and student perspectives, drawing attention to the social dimensions of biodiversity conservation and opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation.
