Interview
Would you like to share how the Armenia Round Table accompanies people facing difficult life circumstances?
Ghazaryan: The World Council of Churches Armenia Inter-Church Charitable Round Table Foundation (ART) has long accompanied people facing difficult life circumstances, offering support that helps them rely on their own inner resources and regain control over their lives.
ART’s unique strength lies in its close ties with civil society organizations and the church, and its ability to reach people through the active involvement of clergy and social workers at church-related social centers. Our work ranges from educational activities and study groups for children, to providing marketable skills training and tools for women, and supporting income-generating activities for war-affected individuals — especially families who have lost a breadwinner, refugees, unemployed adults, and single mothers.
At ART, being present in people’s real lives and fostering empowerment are at the heart of our mission. Witnessing true stories of resilience — families overcoming hardship, children learning, and parents able to smile again — these are the moments that give us strength and faith to continue our work in an often challenging and turbulent context.
You work with a lot of young people—what are their top concerns right now?
Ghazaryan: Young people are not only our present, but the hope for Armenia’s future — that is why ART invests so much in building their capacities, so they can grow into active agents of change, community leaders, and caregivers.
The concerns of young people in Armenia are deeply shaped by the country’s recent social and political upheavals. Many feel that their future planning is overshadowed by uncertainty, and they often feel less optimistic about what lies ahead. Unlike older generations who learned about the horrors of war through books or films, today’s young people have lived through multiple emergencies and military conflicts, witnessing loss of life within their families and their own generation — the 2020 war being a stark example.
Human security is one of the biggest challenges they face. Many young people fear that instead of pursuing their education, careers, and dreams, they might again be called to take up arms if conflict resumes. While there are many opportunities for Armenian youth to develop and thrive, the threat of renewed war and instability often clouds these prospects, leaving the future uncertain and discouraging.
Another important concern for young people is preserving their identity — finding ways to stay rooted in their culture and faith while adapting to changing realities.
One encouraging sign is that youth educated and supported through ART’s social centers often become active contributors in their communities. This not only strengthens the impact of our work but also inspires their peers to stay engaged and hopeful for a better future.
What can your global ecumenical family pray for you?
Ghazaryan: Please pray for peace and unity within our deeply divided and polarized Armenian society. Pray that our people may come to value and cherish the historical heritage and unique role of faith and the Armenian church in preserving our national identity. We also ask for your prayers for wisdom for our decision-makers — that they may find a collaborative path to heal internal divisions and overcome the deep crisis in the relationship between the state and the church in Armenia.
