AraratBank: From a Future Student to a Leader

ArmInfo. On May 16, the Students and Youth Day is celebrated in Armenia. Young people, who will soon join the ranks of Armenian students, found support in their career journeys not only from their families and schools, but also from financial and non-governmental institutions.

AraratBank's long-running support for youth

Since 2021, AraratBank has been closely cooperating with Student Home, guided by the principles of regional development and decentralization of social programs. The partnership began with the renovation of Student Home’s library and the replenishment of its book depository, followed by funding a career guidance camp. AraratBank’s support for the Horizon camp has now entered its second year, and the bank's specialists have shared their knowledge with Student Home’s beneficiaries through various meetings and workshops over the years.

“The mission of AraratBank is to support initiatives that bring about tangible social changes. Our cooperation with Student Home over the years has shown that empowering young people and fostering their leadership skills can be a turning point not only for their individual careers, but also for our society as a whole,” noted Anna Allahverdyan, Head of Communication and CSR Programs Coordination Division at AraratBank.

How to transform a future student into a future leader?

Soon, with the support of AraratBank, the Horizon leadership and skill development camp of Strong Mind NGO will open its doors to more than 80 young people residing in regions and displaced from Artsakh.

Memorable evenings, nightly gatherings around the campfire, exciting games—and that’s not all! Horizon is an educational camp where participants play games to develop critical thinking and solve problems to study topics in depth.

Horizon camps provide young people with an opportunity to develop leadership, critical thinking, and networking skills, while instilling social responsibility towards their community and homeland.

"The idea was born during regional visits and inter-regional events. While working with young people, we observed that they lacked the right connections and opportunities to leave rural areas, often being forced to choose professions without seeing opportunities in many other fields, particularly in STEM. To address this, with the support of AraratBank, we have been implementing various programs since 2021, including career guidance and leadership camps. In this environment, young people get the opportunity to build a close network of peers and interact with experts, entrepreneurs, and scientists. As a result, they can choose their future professions knowingly and more confidently. Horizon camps offer seven-day intensive programs designed to help children develop leadership skills and gain a true insight into our homeland," noted Mher Mkrtchyan, President of Strong Mind NGO.

AraratBank’s investments in building the educational and innovative future of young people continue. For seven days, young participants will once again have the opportunity to attend workshops led by top experts in diverse fields. Through these activities, they will explore future professions by forming new connections, engaging in team debates, and generating innovative ideas.