“NGO Center” Civil Society Development NGO has published the “Electoral Model” educational manuals. These practical tools help young people learn about electoral processes through a simulation game.
The series includes two manuals:
- “Electoral Model”: National Assembly. Participants go through a parliamentary election from start to finish.
- “Electoral Model”: Local Self-Government Bodies. Participants go through every stage of a community council election.
During the two-day game, 25–35 participants play the main actors in an election: party representatives, journalists and fact-checkers, election commission members, observers, proxies and voters. They run campaigns, take part in debates, cast their votes and count the results. Along the way they deal with realistic situations and look for solutions within Armenia’s electoral law.
The game’s method draws on the “Model UN” and “Model Armenia” simulation games. Learning follows David Kolb’s experiential learning model: participants first go through the experience, then reflect on it and turn what they learned into practical skills.
The manuals are designed for educators working with young people, as well as schools, universities, civil society organizations and youth groups. Each manual contains everything needed to run the game:
- a detailed facilitator’s guide,
- role-specific reading materials,
- a baseline profile of the fictional state or community,
- templates for ballots, protocols and other election documents.
The manuals were written by Vahe Khachikyan, Head of Public Relations at NGO Center and a developer of youth learning and civic education tools, and Arevik Navoyan, an expert on electoral processes and Advisor to the Chairperson of the Central Electoral Commission.
The manuals were developed with financial support from the New Democracy Fund (NDF).
The manuals are available in Armenian and can be downloaded from the Publications section.