Empowering student voices and fostering a culture of trust at schools

YEREVAN, 26 November, 2025 - At the initiative of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and with the support of UNICEF, an inaugural student forum was held in Yerevan with the theme of ‘My Voice for a Safe and Secure School.’ The event was made possible within the framework of EU-Armenia budget support to the education sector.

The forum brought together over 180 students from Yerevan and all other marzes of Armenia, representing members of the student council under the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, as well as members of student councils of schools under the jurisdiction of regional governorates, Yerevan municipality, and the Ministry, as well as from private schools actively engaged in state programmes. Participants heard from Mrs Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Mr Frank Hess, Head of International Cooperation of the European Delegation in Armenia, and Mrs Christine Weigand, UNICEF Representative in Armenia.

Minister Andreasyan emphasized that holding this forum was a long-standing necessity, taking into account that an annual tradition of teacher conference has already formed in recent years and become a proven platform for exchanging experience and promoting innovation. According to the Minister, the issue of developing a platform for students, as main beneficiaries of education, was also raised during the latest teacher conference earlier this year.

“Making children directly involved in the processes of reforms is of key importance not only for them, but also for the ministry. If we want education reforms to reach their purpose and be efficient, it means they cannot be implemented without the direct participation of students,” noted the Minister, emphasizing that students often raise issues that would not be heard otherwise.

Zhanna Andreasyan also emphasized that the forum was initiated ahead of the anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. “The right to participation, as well as the right to be heard, have a special place among all other child rights and are meant to ensure that decisions concerning children are not taken without them. This is only possible when students themselves are active.”

“Around the world, children face new and complex challenges, and Armenia is no exception. Issues like preventing bullying or cyberbullying, like ensuring schools are safe and protective environments where children can thrive are important priorities we all need to help address. The best way to do so is to ensure that children’s voices are heard and that they can be part of the solution. The Convention on the Rights of the Child reminds us that every child has the right to express their views safely and be taken seriously,” noted Mrs Christine Weigand, UNICEF Representative in Armenia. “By systematically listening and engaging with children, we can create environments where they feel respected and included. I hope this forum will become one such annual platform to engage.”

Participating students from across the country took part in a number of panel discussions during the forum, as well as attended a plenary session, entitled ‘Academic Year with a Safe and Secure Educational Environment,’ which was moderated by Mrs Araksia Svajyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. The Deputy Minister presented the three main directions of education reforms, including improvement of academic infrastructure, strengthening of the quality of educational content, and expansion of professional development opportunities for teachers. 
In addition, students of four to eight grades also had the chance to showcase their poster presentations around the topic of safe and secure schools.