On September 22, Edward Nalbandian, Foreign Minister of Armenia participated in and delivered remarks at United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Group of Friends Ministerial Meeting entitled “Youth Engagement: The Nexus to Building Inclusive Societies and Sustaining Peace.”

In his remarks the Foreign Minister of Armenia particularly noted: “In Investment in youth is an investment in the future. The struggle for the hearts and minds of the youth will largely determine the societies of the future. It is among the aspirations of this Alliance to build a future free of wars, conflicts, dividing lines in a peaceful, more socially inclusive world. Unfortunately, those who disseminate intolerance and practice hate speech target the youth, trying to radicalize them and use as instruments of reaching their heinous objectives.

The country that intentionally and consistently radicalizes its youth is far from preparing its society for peace, but rather invests in an environment of animosity and hatred, that ran counter to the goals of the Alliance of Civilizations.”