Mari Tevosyan is the head of staff of the Tatev municipality of Syunik marz, the youngest head of staff in Armenia. In that capacity, she ensures sustainable and efficient operation of the municipality and ongoing development of the community. In 2021, Mari was elected as a member of the community council, where she advocates for women's empowerment and equal opportunities. At the age of 16, Mari implemented her first women’s empowerment project, titled “Women and Local Governments,” and in the same year joined the Advisory body on Women and Youth in the community.

IVLP Impact Award Project: "For My Community" Future Leader's School

The project developed the leadership and management skills of youth of the Syunik region and ensured participation in the issues of intra-republic significance. Fifty youth ages 14-18 participated in an online program focused on political leadership, democracy and youth political participation. Other topics included elections as a catalyst for youth representation, local self-government, negotiation skills, public speaking, presentation skills, media literacy and online representation on social platforms. After finishing the training, participants implemented their own small community initiatives, taking their first step as community leaders. Examples of these projects included implementing community cleanliness, creating media literacy courses and awareness campaigns, and re-binding community library books.

Mari also participated in the IVLP Impact Awards Alumni Discussion Series panel on “Youth and Civic Engagement,” which you can read more about here.

“I participated in this program realizing that I can be the small step that can grow and solve a number of seemingly intractable community problems.” - Program Participant 

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Mari participated in the IVLP Project, Not Too Young to Run – Engaging Youth in the Political Process, organized by the U.S. Department of State and the Mississippi Consortium for International Development, in partnership with World Trade Center Institute, World Affairs Council - Seattle, International House and Gulf Coast Diplomacy.

Mari's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "We must change the direction of the planet's rotation towards democracy."

U.S. Communities Visited

Washington, DC; Pensacola, FL; Baltimore, MD; Charlotte, NC; Seattle, WA

Country: Armenia 

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