On May 23, the second phase of the four-module course titled "South Caucasus and Fundamental Principles of EU Policy and Decision-Making" was launched in Tsaghkadzor.
The opening remarks at the event were delivered by the Chair of the Organizing Committee of the course, Director of the YSU Institute for Armenian Studies, Doctor of Historical Sciences Vahram Petrosyan. He emphasized that the course includes military-strategic, sociological, and economic modules aimed at providing participants with comprehensive knowledge of regional and international processes.
Participants were also welcomed by Naira Gevorgyan, Head of Programs of the Armenia office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, who highlighted the importance of such educational initiatives in developing professional capacities.
Subsequently, Vahram Petrosyan introduced the first lecturer of the course, Major General and military expert Genadi Tavaratsyan, who presented his extensive professional experience and shared insights into Armenia's military-political situation, military strategy, and security challenges.
The second speaker of the day was Artyom Tonoyan, researcher at Yerevan State University and Associate Professor of the Chair of Iranian Studies, who delivered a critical analysis titled "The Specific Features of Azerbaijan's Political and Strategic Discourse in 1991–2020 and 2020–2026."
The third presentation was given by the Head of the Interdisciplinary Research Center of the Armenian State University of Economics, economist Sos Khachikyan, who discussed the dynamics of Armenia's economic development, existing challenges, and structural characteristics. He also addressed competitive and cooperative economic models, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach between them in the context of sustainable development.
The first day of lectures was concluded by the Head of the Multilateral Policy and Development Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Davit Knyazyan. He delivered a lecture titled "Armenia–EU Cooperation within the Framework of the United Nations and Other International Organizations."
On the second day of the course, May 24, a lecture titled "'We' and 'They': New Approaches to Defining National Identity" was delivered by Head of the YSU Chair of Applied Sociology, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor Artur Atanesyan.
The lectures were held primarily in a brainstorming format, with active participation and discussions among attendees.
At the conclusion of this phase of the course, Vahram Petrosyan presented the topics for group research assignments, the results of which participants will present during the final stage of the program.
The course is being implemented through close cooperation between the YSU Institute for Armenian Studies and the Armenia office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
