Armenia

Council of Europe Office in Yerevan

The topics of equality, tolerance, diversity, and prosperity in Armenia were explored through the unique format of a TEDx Talk, allowing inspiring speakers to raise salient matters and reach wider domestic and international audience, organised by the Council of Europe project “PGG III: Promoting equality and non-discrimination in Armenia” and Ministry of Justice of Armenia.

During the event, four key speakers highlighted the importance of respect and equality through their personal and professional stories which showcased and encouraged actions and positive narratives to support vulnerable groups.

Srbuhi Galyan, Minister of Justice of Armenia, shared her experience of professional accomplishments against to societal expectations placed on women. She underlined that women are often viewed as exceptions when they succeed and face more scrutiny than men. The Minister advocated for assessing all professionals solely on merit and capability, regardless of gender. Ms Galyan encouraged the idea that genuine and effective collaboration where both men and women contribute based on their skills leads to better and more inclusive society. The Minister affirmed that the real progress comes when women’s success becomes the norm, and when women choose to be an example of change.

Tomasz Ostropolski, Deputy Head of Political, Press and Information Section at the EU Delegation to Armenia, shared the perception of Armenia as a truly safe and prosperous country, highlighting how it could develop and prosper by addressing human rights issues such as domestic violence, gender-based discrimination, and hostility toward the minority groups community. Mr Ostropolski argued that real safety and prosperity require the inclusion and protection of every citizen, regardless of background. He contended that embracing human rights is not just a moral obligation but a smart economic strategy, that fosters stability, investment, and growth. He affirmed that supporting human dignity is inherent in Armenia’s history and cultural traditions.

Rustam Bakoyan, Acting Chair of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, illustrated how low literacy and lack of support for minority languages can lead to the loss of culture and identity among Armenia's ethnic communities. As Mr Bakoyan stated, cultural preservation requires genuine support, especially through education in native languages. In this respect, he argued that language is the key to cultural survival, and without proper educational systems to teach and maintain minority languages, traditions and identities can easily fade away. Mr Bakoyan expressed his hopes that true cultural continuity can happen by allowing each generation to experience and pass on their heritage, which is only possible through accessible education and active engagement, thus ensuring that Armenia’s cultural diversity remains alive and meaningful for future generations.

Anush Aslanyan, representing “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities” NGO for persons with disabilities, shared her journey of a woman with a physical disability from a rural Armenian village, reflecting on the importance of independence and self-acceptance. Ms Aslanyan contended that true independence does not equate to isolation; rather, it entails achieving a balanced interplay between self-directed decision-making and societal influence. Through an illustrated story of her life, Ms Aslanyan demonstrated that, by asserting their independence, individuals with disabilities can not only develop greater self-confidence but also inspire others to embrace their own autonomy.

TEDx Talk underpinned the universal applicability of the principle of equality, showing its utmost value in the promotion of non-discrimination in Armenia as an important right of all individuals.

The event was organised in the framework of the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination in Armenia”, part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Partnership for Good Governance, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe.