Demographic Research Center opened in YSU

ArmInfo. Yerevan State University (YSU) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Armenia office officially announced two important initiatives. The  first is the project "Demographic Resilience: Empowering Women  through Evidence-Based Policy," funded by the UK government, and the  second is the opening of the Center for Demographic Research at YSU  in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the  Republic of Armenia. This was announced by the UNFPA.

According to the source, the Center for Demographic Research will  become a hub for advanced demographic research, promote  evidence-based policymaking and demographic education, and support  the implementation of Armenia's new demographic strategy. The new  program, implemented in collaboration with the Center, will focus on  using data to empower women, a key component of Armenia's demographic  resilience.

The event, held at YSU, brought together a wide range of  stakeholders, including representatives from government, academia,  civil society, the diplomatic corps, donors, and UN agencies. It  served as a platform to highlight the role of research, data and  evidence-based policy in promoting inclusive demographic  sustainability.

The event featured speeches by Minister of Labor and Social Affairs  Arsen Torosyan, British Ambassador to Armenia H.G. Alexandra Cole,  YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, UN Resident Coordinator Francoise  Jacob, and Head of the UN Population Fund Armenia Office Lusine  Sargsyan.

"The main goal of the Demographic Center is to develop data-driven  policies, promote new research, and, in the future, add an  educational component. The Center will also allow us to train  specialists in various fields and will provide an excellent platform  for our students to engage in research and become demographers,  thereby filling a professional gap," noted YSU Rector Hovhannes  Hovhannisyan.

"We are pleased that the program launched today fully aligns with the  priorities of the Armenian government: it combines scientific  research, data analysis, and policy development, enabling us to apply  evidence-based and effective approaches to respond to current  demographic and socioeconomic challenges.  I am confident that our  joint work will continue to contribute to the fulfillment of the  Armenian government's commitments aimed at ensuring demographic  stability and realizing the country's full human potential,"  emphasized Arsen Torosyan.

According to the British Ambassador, this program is more than just a  political intervention. It is an investment in Armenia's future.

By empowering women through continuous training and gender-sensitive  policy development, the UK government is helping lay the foundation  for stronger demographic stability and inclusive economic growth.

In turn, Francoise Jacob, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia,  emphasized that the establishment of the Demographic Research Center  is an important step. It will become a center of excellence not only  for Armenia but for the entire region. Sustainable development is key  for the UN, and by investing in an educational institution, you  ensure its sustainability.

"The project we are launching today, with the support of UK  government development programs, is not just an initiative. It is  part of a larger mission: how Armenia can turn demographic challenges  into opportunities and how women's empowerment and gender equality  can become a driver of stability and growth," noted Lusine Sargsyan.