The day that unites young people of different nations and civilizations and emphasizes the importance of youth being the present and future of their countries was celebrated in Yerevan on August 12, 2009.

By the initiative of Astra Network and Astra Youth Group, Women’s Rights Center’s Youth Group members decided to join to the initiative to celebrate the International Youth Day in Yerevan as well. After a thorough discussion it was decided by WRC Youth Group to organize a performance with the help of a forum theater called “Theater for changes” to discuss the most urgent topics for Armenian youth: love, partner relationships, youth problems, etc.

The theater was full of young people who came to celebrate the International Youth Day. There were also distributed informative materials with the day slogan “Healthy Youth, Healthy Future”. The packages with informative materials were put on the seats at the theater and all participants received a package (see photos). The event was also footage by video.

The performance started by inviting 8-10 young people from the audience to the stage to be asked several questions on the topic. The aim of the action was to hear their points of views on statements about sexual relation before marriage, the responsibilities of partners to have contraceptives, the decision-making on unwanted abortion, the formation of the idea that healthy youth is a certification of healthy future, etc. Young people were very freely expressing their ideas on the statements read by the facilitator of the evening.

After the discussion, the evening’s guests were invited to enjoy the performance telling the story of two young people, the situation they fell in and the solution they came upon. The performance ended without “happy-end” giving the audience an opportunity to suggest their opinion, to advice the heroes as well as to become the heroes themselves and lead the performance the way they thought it right. The participants were very active and started their discussion immediately.

The evening succeeded and the hours passed in active discussion and debates concerning the decisions that heroes came up with, the properness of their actions and ways of best solution. It was obvious that the topic of the performance interested all participants since they were condemning or protecting the heroes with such eagerness and sympathy. The evening became a real arena of interactive discussion for the participants, some of them volunteered and agreed to play the role of the heroes and change the outcome of the story the way they thought it right.

The performance was to bring to the young people the message of love, lovers’ relations, and the importance of protection from unwanted pregnancy and abortion, which would result in unhealthy youth in the future.

About an hour after the event was over, young people were asked about their impressions and expectations before and after the performance. The feedback received was the most positive. Young people expressed their delight about the performance and thankfulness for organizing this event by raising one of the acute problems that young people face nowadays.