In cooperation with the Estonian Center of Eastern Partnership, the Regional Studies Center (RCS) co-sponsored a two-day training seminar on 20-21 October 2014 for Armenian public sector communicators, journalists and the members of the civil society focused on the development of EU-related communications in Armenia.

After a successful first part of a two-phase training course entitled, “Closed Borders, Open Minds,” in Yerevan from 12-19 May 2014, with twenty participants from Armenia and Turkey, the second, follow-up training was held in Istanbul from 13-19 October 2014.

In partnership with the Civic Forum NGO, a recognized leader in the field of youth education and training, the second phase of the RSC youth training focused on the deepening of participants’ knowledge, developing their skills and shaping a more positive opinion and political context of the Armenia-Turkey normalisation process.

A more detailed report of the training is attached.

On 3 October, the Regional Studies Center (RSC) held a special diplomatic simulation exercise, focusing on negotiations roleplay using the case study of the Northern Ireland conflict, with lessons for Nagorno Karabakh.

Led by RSC Analyst Mikayel Zolyan in the capacity of Project Coordinator, the RSC is engaged in a new two-year research project entitled, “In Search of a Foundation Myth: State-building and Representations of the Events 1988-1991 in the Political Discourse of the Republic of Armenia.” This new research project is conducted for the Academic Swiss Caucasus Net (ASCN), in a programme aimed at “strengthening research in the social sciences and humanities in the South Caucasus and helping to bring it up to European standards.”

The Regional Studies Center (RSC) and the UK Embassy in Armenia convened a public event on 17 September to offer an assessment of the NATO Wales Summit, with a focus on the implications for Armenia and the South Caucasus. The event featured presentations by UK Ambassador Kathy Leach, Mr. Willian Lahue, the Head of the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia, NATO/PFP Liaison Officer in South Caucasus; Mr. Koryun Nahapetyan, Chairman of the Armenian Parliamentary Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs; RSC Senior Analyst David Shahnazaryan; and RSC Director Richard Giragosian.