IN THIS ISSUE:
*** PROMOTING INTERACTIVE TEACHING METHODS OF HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION IN
ARMENIA
*** NGO CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATIONAL REFORMS
*** AAA NGO CENTER’S COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM UNDERWAY
*** REGIONAL REFUGEE SUPPORT PROJECT
*** DEMOCRACY TODAY NGO AGAINST TRAFFICKING
*** COMMUNITY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN REGIONS
*** TRAINING COURSES ON PEACEBUILDING, CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND TOLERANCE FOR
CREATIVE REFUGEES
*** PROMOTING INTERACTIVE TEACHING METHODS OF HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION IN
ARMENIA
On the initiative of Abovyan-based Family and New World NGO, foreign
language training materials on human rights were translated into Armenian
and video films and brochures on interactive games were prepared. The
materials are intended for secondary school teachers of Human Rights courses
and human rights protectors. Materials were disseminated to 13 school
libraries in the Kotayk region and regional representatives of Junior
Achievement for distribution to teachers. Materials also are posted on the
website.
Contact: Julieta Ter-Martirosova
Family and New World NGO
3 Geghard St., apt. 32
Abovyan, Armenia
Tel.: (374-22) 2-36-04
E-mail: [email protected]
*** NGO CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATIONAL REFORMS
During the recent appeal process about written exams of university entrants,
the University Scientific Education Union NGO revealed some drawbacks in the
university examination assessment system and the suggestion to improve the
process was presented to the ROA Ministry of Education and Science. The
investigation into the appeal process is being carried out within the NGO’s
Protecting University Entrants’ Interests project, implemented with the
assistance of German EED Development Service. The goal of the project is to
raise awareness of university entrants, their parents, teachers, NGOs and
Mass Media on the current and new systems of University entrance
examinations. During seminars and discussions, suggestions and opinions of
beneficiaries were revealed, objective and subjective obstacles facing
university entrants were defined and their reasons identified. Subsequently,
the NGO will develop a suggestion package, which will be presented to the
Ministry of Education and Science for incorporation into the new 2006 system
of university entrance examinations.
Contact: Arthur Aslanyan
University Scientific Education Union NGO
61 Shirakatsi St., 19-11
Gyumri, Armenia
Tel.: (0-41) 3-63-20
E-mail: [email protected]
*** AAA NGO CENTER’S COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM UNDERWAY
This grants program is aimed at advancing civic participation and prosperity
of communities in the earthquake zone of Armenia. The program, targeting
Bazum and Vanadzor neighborhoods in the town of Vanadzor, was designed and
is being implemented based on community needs as prioritized by members of
those neighborhoods. Eighteen NGOs applied for the grants program
competition; three proposals were selected by the review board. Funding for
the grants program is provided by the US Agency For International
Development. Below is a brief description of project activities:
ž The Reflection Social and Economic NGO will create sites for organization
of outdoor rest and leisure time of the community population in the Bazum
neighborhood. The entire community, local self-governing bodies and
entrepreneurs are involved in solving their own problems; they participate
in construction activities, fencing and tree plantings. As a result, a
playground will be constructed and a park created for the neighborhood
population.
ž The Pan Armenian New Generation Youth Union NGO’s project is aimed at
solving the garbage management problem of the Vanadzor neighborhood.
Household garbage and construction waste containers are placed, garbage
removal schedules are developed, leaflets on the new waste removal system
are distributed and video clips broadcast on the NGO activities.
ž The Khachvogh Ughiner (Crossing Ways) Social NGO will promote the creation
of an information society and improvement of living conditions for members
of the Bazum neighborhood members by creating a Community Development and
Civic Initiative Center. The Center provides the following services to the
community: computer classes and NGO capacity building training; free access
to computers and the Internet; photocoping; presentation of educational
films; and organizing games. Local and national newspapers are available for
the population. The Bazum Newsletter will be issued within the framework of
the project. A database on target groups of the community will be developed
and various events for children will be organized.
Contact: Lilit Aramyan
Reflection Social and Economic NGO
Vanadzor, 59 Tigran Mets St., #48
Tel.: (374-51) 2-35-63
E-mail: [email protected]
Armen Matinyan
Pan Armenian New Generation Youth Union NGO
Vanadzor, 86/25 Aghayan St.
Tel.: (374-51) 5-53-03, 2-12-07
E-mail: [email protected]
Narine Ghazaryan
Khachvogh Ughiner (Crossing Ways) Social NGO
Vanadzor, 147/29 Yerevanyan Khchughi
Tel.: (374-51) 2-33-31, 5-57-29
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
*** REGIONAL REFUGEE SUPPORT PROJECT
The Zinvori Mair (Soldier’s Mother) Republican Committee NGO’s and the
Society of Humanitarian Research of Azerbaijan NGO’s regional Hope Mail
Service project is currently underway with the assistance of Danish Refugee
Council. The NGOs are striving to re-establish former amicable links between
refugees in Armenia and Azerbaijan and contribute to their contiguity.
Information exchanges, via letters, are carried out. NGOs receive letters
from the neighboring country, search for the addressees, and deliver the
letters, thus restoring relations between long-lost friends. A considerable
number of letters from outside the geographical framework of the project
have been received, for example, from Turkey and the USA. The project is
characterized by increased correspondence among women beneficiaries and
exchange of videocassettes and materials on media coverage on refugees.
Considering current political tensions, the authors of the project are
convinced that regional NGO cooperation is a positive way for the peoples of
both countries to make steps forward and towards each other.
Contact: Greta Mirzoyan
Zinvori Mair (Soldier’s Mother) Republican Committee NGO
Tel.: (374-1) 52-99-31; 52-32-02
E-mail: [email protected]
*** DEMOCRACY TODAY NGO AGAINST TRAFFICKING
Within the framework of UMCOR’s Assisting Victims of Trafficking program,
the Democracy Today NGO carries out the following activities: identification
of victims and forwarding them to rehabilitation center; projects aimed at
reintegration of victims into society and their families; public awareness
raising campaigns about trafficking prevention throughout Armenia; and
training courses for program staff and officers of state structures dealing
with victims. UMCOR’s Assisting Victims of Trafficking program also provides
a free hotline providing consultancy services: 0800.558.
Contact: Hasmik Edilyan
Democracy Today NGO
Tel.: (374-1) 27-22-73; 56-56-80
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
*** COMMUNITY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN REGIONS
Starting from August 2004, the E-Armenia Foundation NGO initiated an
educational campaign within the framework of the E-Governance for
Territorial Administration project, implemented by UNDP, jointly with the
ROA Government. The project is aimed at increasing participation and access
to information on the regional level through creating web-based e-governance
systems hosted by regional administrations and the ROA Ministry of
Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Coordination
() The goal of the E-Armenia NGO’s project is to raise
public awareness on e-Governance and, in particular, on existing regional
web resources. The campaign components include: training courses for
specialists of Internet centers within Project Harmony Armenia’s School
Connectivity Program, distribution of printed manuals on usage of regional
web sites; a series of workshops and discussions with different sectors in
communities; public awareness campaign using local media, and distribution
of printed promotional materials, including posters and fact?sheets.
Campaigns already have been conducted in three towns of Shirak region and
two towns of Kotayk region. The campaign will conclude in December 2004. All
are invited to cooperate within the Community Education Campaign.
Contact: E-Armenia Foundation
17 Charents St., 2nd floor
Tel.: (374-1) 57-02-60
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
*** TRAINING COURSES ON PEACEBUILDING, CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND TOLERANCE FOR
CREATIVE REFUGEES
The goal of these training courses is to raise awareness of refugees in the
arts and cultural fields on peace building, and engage them in peace
building processes for establishing peace and stability in South Caucasus.
The courses are comprised of two parts. The first was organized recently by
the Armenian Refugee Supporting League NGO jointly with Future Generation,
Zinvori Mair (Soldier’s Mother), and Back to Hayk NGOs. The main topics
presented during the training were peace building, conflict management and
tolerance. Lectures were accompanied by role playing and other exercises,
situation analysis and discussions. Particular attention was paid to the
topic of Cultural Creativity and Its Impact on Peace building Activities,
Preventing Conflicts and Establishing Peace and Stability. The project is
implemented through funding received from Danish Refugee Council and
consultancy provided by the Center for Conflict Management and
Peacebuilding, Norway. The second part of the courses will be held for
creative refugees of South Caucasus countries.
Contact: Nina Baghdasaryan
Armenian Refugee Supporting League NGO
14 Baghramyan 1st sidestreet, # 74
Tel.: (374-1) 58-10-77
E-mail: [email protected]
__________________________________________________________________________
Armenian NGO News in Brief is a publication of the NGO Training and Resource
Center (NGOC) issued in the Armenian, English and Russian languages for
electronic dissemination inside and outside Armenia. Primary funding for
the NGOC, which is a project of the Armenian Assembly of America, is
provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Individual NGOs are welcome to submit information for publication to the
NGOC. The NGO Center is not responsible for the clarity of information
provided by individual NGOs.
Dear Readers,
The not-for-profit, non-governmental sector of Armenia is rich with diverse
civic initiatives and activities. This electronic publication, though far
from covering all activities of the sector per any given period of time, is
intended to contribute to raising awareness, both inside and outside
Armenia, of the activities of Armenian not-for-profit, non-governmental
organizations.
Your comments and feedback about this electronic publication are greatly
appreciated.
Thank you.
NGOC staff.
Contact Information:
In Armenia:
Armenian Assembly of America
NGO Training and Resource Center
39 Yeznik Koghbatsi St., Yerevan 375010
Tel.: (3-741) 54-40-12; 54-40-13; 53-92-04
Fax: (3-741) 54-40-15
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
In the United States:
Armenian Assembly of America
NGO Training and Resource Center
122 C Street NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001 USA
Tel: (202) 393-3434
Fax: (202) 638-4904
E-mail: [email protected]
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