Has the prospect of Europe been sufficiently strong to affect the everyday life of ordinary Armenians and the strategic thinking and vision of their leaders? How does the prospect of Europe affect relations with neighbors and conflict resolution? How does the prospect of Europe influence Armenians’ approach to elections and all other basic civil rights? How far have basic European values of tolerance, freedoms, responsibilities and rights broken through the decades of contradictory principles and ideals?

There are two kinds of responses to these questions among those who favor Europeanization. Many are convinced that this process of European engagement advances democratic values and a belief in the rule of law and is the only path to full European standards. There are others who believe that the endless hand-holding, monitoring and ‘understanding’ displayed by European institutions has served to tacitly bless the (at best) shortfalls or (at worst) disinclination or pretense of Europeanization and has allowed inconsistent, irresolute actions.

On Wednesday, November 11, Civilitas will hold a public discussion on this issue.  For those who can’t be present, the discussion will be available on the web and Civilitas will issue its first policy paper on the same topic the following week, with input from participants in this discussion and elsewhere. The discussion and the policy paper are part of the Civilitas Foundation Democracy and Development Initiative and receive support from the Government of Norway.

Also for those who aren’t in Armenia, the first-hand reports of Civilitas Programs Coordinator on his visits to Armenia’s rural communities are rare (and frank) assessments of all that is difficult and inspiring in our villages and borderlands. You will enjoy reading them – and I say ‘enjoy’, fully aware that this is not a typical read. But, really, enjoy.