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The National Assembly and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have a very good experience of cooperation. We highlight the possibility of familiarizing the young professionals with the work of parliament and involving them in it through the program. I am sure that we’ll effectively cooperate, and you’ll have your contribution to the work of the National Assembly: The RA NA Chief of Staff, Secretary General Davit Arakelyan said, welcoming the participants chosen for the Young Professionals’ Parliamentary Program 2024 in the National Assembly on February 20 and got acquainted with the specialists and listened to their preferences.

“In strengthening the democracy of New Armenia the young people’s voice has a great role, hence in this context the fact that the parliament opened its doors before the specialists of the program is very welcoming,” the Armenia Resident Director of the National Democratic Institute Coen Pustjens said and added: “Taking part in the internship program, you join the big group of specialists of the National Democratic Institute program.”

During the meeting with the professionals of the program the NA Deputy Chief of Staff Heghine Khachikyan presented the Internal Disciplinary Rules, spoke about the ethics and the inner discipline, which will be necessary for the program participants in case of carrying out activities in the state institutions, as well as in daily life. Heghine Khachikyan noted that the discipline and the work ethics are considered to be an important warrant of efficiency of any professional activity.

The Head of the Secretariat of the National Assembly Tatul Soghomonyan presented to the young specialists the law the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly. He also spoke about the significance of the committees, departments and other sub-units a model of forming power through the constitutional amendments, the legislative initiatives and political elections and in the parliamentary work highlighted the role and goals of both the power majority and the opposition.

The Head of the RA NA Public Relations and Communication Department Laura Antonyan also presented the functions of the Department to the program participants. “While presenting the parliamentary work, the most important features are the publicity and the principle of equally covering the activities of the President, the Vice Presidents and three political factions and the deputies of the National Assembly,” Laura Antonyan noted and considered important the principle of being apolitical of all departments of the National Assembly. She touched upon the Parliamentary Week program series, the official website of the parliament, presenting the upcoming reforms and the priorities of the work of the Department and also spoke about the problems.

Afterwards, the Adviser to the NA President Ashkhen Hayrapetyan met with the professionals. She emphasized the young people’s engagement in the parliamentary life, their inclusiveness, the citizens’ participation in the elaboration of the legislative initiatives, spoke about the necessity of involving the young peoples with disability in the parliamentary work. Ashkhen Hayrapetyan also presented to the young professionals the experience of the parliamentary management of foreign countries and its types, and in that context listen to their proposals for more improving the RA NA work.

The chosen young people will complete their internship in the National Assembly in about one year and will take part in the online webinar aimed at the development of their capacities.

Within the framework of the program the young professionals will have an opportunity to support the NA committees, deputies and the Staff for doing researches, press monitoring, making analyses and preparing press releases.

The program is financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented as a result of cooperation of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the National Assembly.