Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend, co-founders of the IDeA, RVVZ, and Scholae Mundi Armenia Foundations, visited the American University of Armenia (AUA).
Vardanyan delivered his speech to AUA faculty, staff, and students in Manoogian Hall. He introduced the new slogan of the IDeA Foundation “Think to Connect. Think to Create. Think to Act,” which reflects the plan for future actions of the Foundation. Vardanyan discussed the goals of the IDeA foundation, the challenges it faces, the importance of education, and sustainable development of the country. He said Armenians should go beyond survival. He noted that, “To have a big dream is to be very brave, because when you have a big dream it means you are ready to fail. Without this readiness you cannot achieve anything.”
Here are the top advices of IDeA founder.
Think to…
According to Ruben Vardanyan, we all live in time when each thing is directly connected with another, everything is interconnected. It is always necessary to think and find new solutions. “Think to Connect. Think to Create. Think to Act, this is IdeA’s new slogan. This is the vision which will connect educated and smart people in future.”
Read a lot
“I read 3-4 books each month. There are many books that influenced me. Read non-stop. Read many books, they will promote your realization. Don’t waste time, spend it on reading. My advice is – never be afraid, learn a lot. It will be the best engine for changing everything in Armenia. I suggest that we step out from the square box, get rid of fears and never say I don’t know.”
Don’t be afraid of dreaming
“For reaching success you must believe in your dream and goal with all your heart. We must believe that we can change something. It is important that the very you believe in your dream, the others might not to. To have a big dream is to be very brave because when you have a big dream it means you are ready to fail. Without this readiness you cannot achieve anything.”
Highlight education
According to Ruben Vardanyan, education moves the world. “Education must be a priority irrespective of anything and irrespective of changes. The world changes, education changes, technology changes. That is why it is necessary to study permanently. Current specialities may not exist in a few years.”
Ruben Vardanyan notes that today the role of the teacher has changed a lot in the education system and it is necessary to again raise the authority of a teacher and have a great respect toward them.
“Today’s most important crisis is that teachers are not being respected in many countries. Finland is a good example – 7 out of 10 best students want to become teachers while for instance in the USA only 2 and in Russia only 1 out of ten. The return of the image of the teacher is a great challenge for each society. Teachers, mentors, who not only educate but also share information, transfer values, inspire. It is not easy as we all are afraid of future and do not know what tomorrow will bring us. We want to have success especially in this rapidly changing world. People really do have concerns over their future.”
Understand mentality
According to Ruben Vardanyan it is necessary not only to learn languages but try to understand the mentality and world view of different peoples. It is necessary to connect permanently.
In his words Armenian young people focus on Armenian, English and Russian while the other languages are secondary for them. But it is necessary to pay attention to the languages important for us, for example Persian.
“We can easily say – create, act, but it is not easy to do. For it you need to be brave. You must not be afraid of learning new things and you must understand that there are a lot of things you do not know. Do not frame you. Read and learn. It will help you to become a personality.”
According to Vardanyan today Armenia expands ties with the EU. We have an exclusive position among the EU, Eurasian Union and Iran. How can Armenia benefit from this reality? “We have advantages unlike other nations and the first is the network of Armenians spread all over the world.”
Prioritize a person
According to Ruben Vardanyan, a person becomes more and more important during the time. The finances are becoming secondary while a person and human ideas, talents become prior.
