IN THIS ISSUE:
*** NGOs 2004 CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
***SUPPORTING THE ELDERLY
*** GARNI AESTHETIC EDUCATION SCHOOL REOPENED
*** STEPANAVAN YOUNG LEADER RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL AWARD
*** VISITING MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN
*** SIXTH ASSEMBLY OF ARMENIAN ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS
*** NGO AGAINST PESTICIDES
*** NGOs 2004 CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
On October 15-17, the Academy for Educational Development, with financial
support of USAID and in collaboration with World Learning and the AAA NGO
Training and Resource Center, organized the NGOs 2004 Conference and
Exhibition. Almost 280 NGOs from all regions of Armenia participated in this
event, introducing their programs and discussing new ways of networking with
stakeholders. Representatives of state structures, international and donor
organizations and experts also participated in the event, which highlighted
various sectors of NGO activities. NGO representatives shared their
experience and knowledge and discussed common issues. Among the topics
addressed during 14 working sessions/roundtables of the conference were NGO
Collaboration with State and Local Governments, NGO Collaboration with
International Donor Organizations and Diaspora, NGO Collaboration with the
Business Community and Mass Media, Developing Regional and Community-Based
NGOs, NGO Code of Conduct, NGO Legislation, NGOs and Poverty Reduction, NGOs
and Fighting Against Corruption. During the conference, NGOC specialists A.
Lazarian, N. Harutiunyan and A. Kurdova spoke respectively on the Armenian
Picture of NGO-Business Cooperation: Analysis and Suggestions; Strategic
Approach to Fundraising; NGO Legislation and Taxation.
Contact: Academy for International Development
10 Aygedzor St.
Tel.: (374-1) 26-69-36; 26-69-87
E-mail: aed@arminco.com
Website:
***SUPPORTING THE ELDERLY
On the occasion of the International Day of the Elderly, the AAA NGO Center
organized a visit on October 7 for representatives of Armenian Mass Media to
Martuni town to become acquainted with NGO activities carried out in support
of the elderly. The Martuni Women’s Community Council NGO meets the urgent
social needs of the lonely elderly by providing various social services, and
developing self-assistance mechanisms of cooperation in the community.
Providing food and hygiene products, primary healthcare services to those
who have no opportunity to go out of their homes, other care, household
services, legal consultancies, preparing legal documents, creating a day
center for social and psychological support of the elderly – this is the
list of services provided to the elderly in this community. As stated by one
project beneficiary, “We – sick and isolated people – now feel that we are
being cared for and that we are part of the community.” The project is
implemented with financial assistance received from the AAA NGO Training and
Resource Center through USAID.
Contact: Anahit Gasparyan
Martuni Women’s Community Council NGO
Martuni, 8 Proshian St.
Tel.: (374-62) 4-43-00; 4-36-04
E-mail: kananc@arminco.com
*** GARNI AESTHETIC EDUCATION SCHOOL REOPENED
Through the efforts of the Gifted Children Charitable NGO, the Aesthetic
Education School of the Garni village of Kotayk region was reopened after
previously suspending its activities because of scarcity of resources.
Within the framework of the NGO’s Way to the Arts project, implemented with
the assistance of the Jinishian Memorial Foundation, community members
mobilized efforts to restore the school building. These activities
contributed not only to developing mutual trust within the community, but
also to forming social partnership between the NGO, local self-governing
body and commercial companies. To provide smooth functioning of the school,
the Gifted Children NGO provided necessary literature, consultancy and
methodic materials. For comprehensive aesthetic education and leisure time
of the Garni village children, the NGO plans to restore and renovate the
first floor and yard of the school, contributing to implementation of
educational and cognitive projects, as well as holding exhibitions,
meetings, performances and other events.
Contact: Victoria Keshishyan
Gifted Children Charitable NGO
7 Tigranyan St.
Tel.: (374-1) 22-25-93; 56-54-59
E-mail: gccf@ngoc.am
*** STEPANAVAN YOUNG LEADER RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL AWARD
The goal of the YouthActionNet international program is to develop the
leadership skills of young people, and promote and contribute to their
active participation in community processes leading to positive change.
Annually, the program recognizes 20 outstanding young leaders, aged 20-28,
with awards. This year, for the first time, a representative from Caucasus
and Armenia was among the winners – Lilit Stepanyan of the Stepanavan Youth
Center NGO. For the award giving ceremony, winners from various continents
were invited to Argentina, where a seven day seminar was organized aimed at
development of their skills. “If we are afraid of and avoid difficulties,
instead of facing and overcoming them, there will be no progress and
development”, says Lilit Simonyan.
Contact: Lilit Simonyan
Stepanavan Youth Center NGO
Stepanavan, 13 Meghapart St.
Tel.: (374-56) 3-22-91; 2-21-16
E-mail: lilit_simonyan@yaahoo.com; syc_am@yahoo.com
*** VISITING MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN
On October 14, the Armenian Assembly of America’s trustees, within the
framework of their visit to Armenia, visited the Prkutiun Center of Disabled
Children NGO, beneficiaries of which are mentally retarded children. In the
NGO’s day center, according to their capabilities, the mentally retarded
children learn reading and writing, as well as receive food and individual
and group assistance of a psychologist and defectologist. Through a grant,
received from the AAA NGOC, integration groups function within the center
allowing the mentally retarded children to learn painting, needlework,
rice-grain decoration and computer skills together with healthy children. On
October 14, the mentally retarded children sang, danced, recited for guests
and presented their handicrafts. At the end of the program, AAA trustees
provided some financial assistance to the NGO. Prkutyun will use it for
renovation activities and obtaining food and presents for the beneficiaries.
Contact: Arpenik Abrahamyan
Prkutiun Center of Disabled Children NGO
33 Chekhov St.
Tel.: (374-1) 42-78-50; 42-65-84; (374-9) 38-34-81
E-mail: prkutyun@ngoc.am
*** SIXTH ASSEMBLY OF ARMENIAN ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS
On October 22-23, the sixth assembly of the Armenian Association of Family
Physicians NGO was held with participation of Association members,
representatives of interested state structures, NGOs, international
organizations and pharmaceutical companies. During the assembly, issues
related to the introduction of family medicine were discussed. The assembly
had scientific and practical direction: number of issues on disease
management within the primary healthcare system were discussed. The
Association’s activities for the past five years and its future plans were
discussed. The problem of an imperfect relevant legislative framework was
particularly emphasized; it was especially noted that despite the fact that
there are 250 physicians with certificates of family physicians, not
everyone works as a family physician in Armenia. As stated by the NGO
Chairman S. Hovhannissyan, with the assistance of the Association members,
the relevant legislative framework is being gradually developed, which will
contribute to the widespread and optimum introduction of family medicine in
Armenia.”
Samvel Hovhannissyan
Armenian Association of Family Physicians NGO
49/4 Komitas St.
Tel.: (374-1) 23-48-51
E-mail: f-fammedic@nih.sci.am
*** NGO AGAINST PESTICIDES
On October 11, 2004, on the initiative of the Armenian Women for Health and
Healthy Environment NGO, a theatrical performance was held in the Verin Dvin
village school of Ararat marz. The performance, the message of which was
using foods free of pesticides, was part of the NGO’s For A Toxic-Free
Future In Armenia project. Its goal is to reduce the risk of exposure of
pesticides on human health and environment in Ararat marz. Dissemination of
factsheets, information sheets, posters, newspaper articles and organizing
TV programs and performances are aimed at raising the awareness of the
population of ten villages on pesticides and their harmful impact on health.
To promote cooperation with local and regional authorities, healthcare
institutions and NGOs, seminars, lectures and other meetings on the topic
Preventing Exposure of Pesticides are organized. The project is implemented
with financial assistance received from AAA NGO Center through USAID.
Contact: Elena Manvelyan
Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment NGO
24 Saryan St., #65
Tel.: (374-1) 62-66-20
E-mail: elena@awhhe.am
__________________________________________________________________________
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 at 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.: (374-1) 54-40-12; 54-40-13; 53-92-04
Fax: (374-1) 54-40-15
E-mail: ngoc@ngoc.am
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: ngoc@aaainc.org
Website: