Civic Activism as a Novel Component of Armenian Civil Society

Any change has to be coordinated among a number of constituents and should include
various groups. This should involve not only local activists and NGOs but also international
organisations, Diaspora members, and embassies, among other actors. It is only via the inclusion
of different social groups that it is possible to achieve a tangible result. Establishing cooperation
with different bodies and bringing international attention in focus will contribute to the
seriousness of campaigns.
To be successful in approaching various groups of people, it will be important for activist
groups to develop the art of communication using language accessible to everyone. It is the lack
of a message that prevents human potential from being utilised in larger activist campaigns.
To achieve this, activists need to learn to apply the art of outreach and communication to larger
and different layers of population, as well as the art of gathering particular people around
particular concerns. It is important for potential groups of the population to be viewed as
stakeholders of specific issues. Activists should match vulnerable groups to existing problems.
Conspiracy theories and assumptions lead political culture down the wrong path and challenge
open discourse and transparency. In an environment of distrust, people require sincere
communication and explanations. Activists should be open about their resources and means to
avoid any suspicion of being financed by certain groups and thus serving certain interests. Such
sincerity and transparency should serve as tools to mobilise and awaken the public. Sincerity
offers considerable potential for success and should be wielded in service of positive change.
People are in need of a sincere dialogue based on reason and analysis.
The importance of enquiring after new methods of peaceful resistance should never be
underestimated. The Armenian public should be introduced to new methods of engagement
because there is a risk that the general perceptions of civic activism are limited to the art of
protest and disobedience on the street, while it is much more than that. It is not only a matter of
protesting; rather, it involves developing skills and strategies for a better and informed
involvement.
It is of similar importance for the leaders and organisers of activist campaigns to have
credentials that indicate that they are fulfilled and educated persons. The public should recognise
that a person struggling against an injustice is successful in their professional and personal life,
among other aspects. This has the potential to increase opportunities for mobilisation and lead
the public to believe in the possibility of a successful result.
To create a better future, civic activism has to be further prioritised and developed. It is
the civic culture that will be able to shape the agenda of the country, which it partly already does.
Because activism is such a valued element of present political culture, it would be beneficial if
government authorities were to apply some of activist qualities.
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