Junior Achievement of Armenia

1
Junior Achievement of Armenia
2
A Success Story

• Founded in 1992
• Pilot Program in 8 schools in 1993
• Translated and Printed JA Applied Economics
  Textbook into Armenian
• Expanded to over 200 schools and 3000 students
• Major funding from USAID, USIS, and Lincy
  Foundation

3
Organization

• Affiliate of Junior Achievement International
• Board of Directors in the US (12)
• Advisory Board (12)
• Honorary Board (4)
• Regional Committees (5)
• Armenia Staff (7)

4
Cooperation

• In cooperation with local JAs
• Southern California
• Rhode Island
• Boston
• Chicago

5
Taught in Armenias...

• Public High Schools
• Private High Schools
• Colleges
• Universities

6
Taught in...

• Every region of Armenia (11 regions)

7
Applied Economics

• Theory
• Micro and Macro Economics
• Practice
• Student Companies
• Business Consultants

8
Student Companies

• Rugs
• Bakeries
• Jewelry
• Pasta
• Toys
• Games

• Newspapers
• Disco Dances
• Car Washes
• Envelopes
• Frogs

9
Approved by Ministry

• By the year 2000, the ministry of education wants
  every school child, ages 15-16, to take Applied
  Economics.

10
Independent Evaluation

• In 1997, USAID commissioned an independent
  evaluation of JAA
• Declared the program an example for US JA
  programs
• Noted the tremendous value of the summer camp
• Highlighted the exceptional leadership of the
  Executive Director

11
Camp The Best of the Best

• The top student from each school, selected by
  exam, is invited to attend one week of summer
  camp
• Business Games Stock market simulations,
  Products made from Nature, Designing commercials,
  Budgeting and planning
• Well known visitors

12
The Role of Camp

• A big incentive
• Meet and make life long friends (and business
  contacts)
• Students become very attached to the program and
  will one day be the programs supporters

13
The Ultimate Reward

• Two to three of the very best students are
  invited to the US for additional economics
  training
• The students spend an additional week visiting
  companies and meeting with senior business
  executives

14
The Value of Junior Achievement

• Building confidence to meet the challenges of the
  market place
• Understanding the discipline of running a
  business
• Introduce new teaching methodologies
• Introduce a new way of thinking

15
New Directions Civics

• Because of our success, USAID has asked that we
  extend the program to include teaching civics
• Understanding the basics of democracy, and the
  history of democracy in Armenia
• Understanding the constitution of Armenia
• Understanding the role of business in the
  community

16
Civics Milestones Achieved

• New Text Book written and printed.
• Teachers Trained in the Winter of 99.
• Pilot Program begun Spring 99.