BEST WISHES FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
IN THIS ISSUE:
*** THE WORLD AS CHILDREN SEE IT
*** PYUNIK FOR THE DISABLED
*** DRAFT CONCEPT OF THE ROA LAW ON LOBBYING WAS DISCUSSED
*** INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENTS
*** GREATMED NGO EXPANDS ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
*** NGOs JOINTLY PROMOTE VOLUNTARY MOVEMEMENT IN ARMENIA
*** YEREVAK NGO STRENGTHENS ITS CAPACITIES TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SOCIAL
SERVICES AND INFORMATION
*** JOINT COMMON ACTIONS OF THE CRINGO NETWORK
*** THE WORLD AS CHILDREN SEE IT
This was the title of the photo exhibition unveiled by the Manana Youth
Educational Cultural Center NGO in the Armenian Center for the Contemporary
Experimental Art on December 15. Photos taken by the 8-20 year old members
of the of the NGO’s Photojournalism Club were presented. The photos reflect
tree cutting, absence of waste removal, destroying architectural values, the
negative influence of human beings on nature, and children’s poverty. On the
opening day of the exhibition, four films by members of the NGO’s Young
Cinematographers’ Club were also shown. Devoted to life conditions of
children, the films were produced on the occasion of the International Day
of Children’s Communication with UNICEF assistance. The NGO members have
also successfully participated in 16 international festivals and have won
prizes and awards. As stated by one of the Center’s members, “We try to
understand the world, rediscover it, be amazed it and enjoy it by making the
moment of the photo frame lasting.”
Contact: Ruzan Baghdasaryan
Manana Youth Educational Cultural Center NGO
2 Baghramyan St., #25
Tel.: (374-1) 52-48-89; 58-34-97
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
*** PYUNIK FOR THE DISABLED
Because rehabilitation equipment used by disabled people in Armenia was in
disrepair, the Pyunik Union of the Disabled NGO created a wheelchair repair
workshop. The opening ceremony of the workshop was held on December 2. The
project was realized thanks to the Embassy of the Sovereign Military Order
of Malta in Armenia and Aghavni French-Armenian Charitable Organization.
Wheelchairs and parts needing repair will be collected from individuals,
organizations and hospitals and sent to the workshop. After repairs, they
will be returned to the disabled. Free repair services will be provided to
any disabled person in Armenia needing assistance. Within the framework of
the project, two disabled people will also be employed. Based on the
workshop, a local industry of wheelchairs manufacturing is planned to be
created. Pyunik celebrated December 3 – the International Day of Disabled –
by organizing an exhibition of paintings and handicrafts of gifted disabled
young people at the United Nations/Armenia offices. The same day, the Pyunik
Center hosted a performance by its younger beneficiaries.
Contact: Hakob Abrahamyan
Pyunik Union of the Disabled NGO
16 Tsitsernakaberd St.
Tel.: (374-1) 56-07-07
E-mail: [email protected]
*** DRAFT CONCEPT OF THE ROA LAW ON LOBBYING WAS DISCUSSED
On December 17, the United Nations Development Programme, in cooperation
with the ROA Ministry of Justice and the ROA Ministry of Trade and Economic
Development, held a discussion of the draft concept of the ROA Law on
Lobbying. Representatives of the Government, National Assembly, local and
international organizations, trade unions and business associations, as well
as experts participated in the discussion. The aim of the discussion was to
review the approaches and suggestions on the draft concept of interested
NGOs including those representing interests of the private sector. The
international experience of regulating lobbying, ways, restrictions, rights
and responsibilities of lobbyists, licensing and accreditation issues were
discussed. Special importance was attached to the suggestions made on
Non-Profit lobbying. Developing the regulatory framework for lobbying will
enable citizens to participate in decision making processes. Providing equal
opportunities and transparency of participation will promote establishment
of democratic values in Armenia.
Contact: Vahan Asatryan
United Nations Development Program
Tel.: (374-1) 52-86-72, 52-86-97
E-mail: [email protected]
*** INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENTS
ž On December 8-9, the opening ceremonies of the Human Rights Libraries in
Artashat and Gavar of the Armenian Constitutional Rights Protecting Center
(ACRPC) NGO were held. Representatives of state governing, local
self-governing bodies, as well as local and international organizations and
Mass Media were invited. The libraries were opened within the framework of
the Developing Human Rights Library Network In Armenia project, implemented
by ACRPC with support of the Department of State Public Affairs of the US
Embassy in Armenia. Currently the Network is comprised of five libraries
functioning in Vanadzor, Dilijan, Hrazdan, Artashat and Gavar. The libraries
include reading rooms, almost 15,000 items and are equipped with modern
computer technologies. More information on the Library Network can be found
at the ACRPC website:
ž On December 10, ACRPC, in cooperation with the UN Development Program and
UN Department of Public Information, held several events in Hrazdan,
including a forum, visiting the Hrazdan Human Rights Library, showing
thematic films, recitations and musical performances. This year, Human
Rights Day is dedicated to human rights education by UNESCO and UN High
Commissioner of Human Rights. During the events, special attention was drawn
to education, awareness raising and raising the level of public’s legal
consciousness.
Contact: Gevorg Manukyan
Armenian Constitutional Rights Protecting Center (ACRPC) NGO
Vanadzor, Shirakatsi 1st lane, building 2
Tel.: (374-51) 2-29-67
E-mail: [email protected]
*** GREATMED NGO EXPANDS ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
The Greatmed Scientific and Medical NGO carries out scientific, medical and
health awareness activities contributing to mother and child healthcare and
clean environment. Emphasizing the issue of disseminating health knowledge,
particularly promoting healthy lifestyles in remote regions of Armenia,
through a grant received from AAA NGOC, Greatmed members have undergone
vocational training, subscribed to a number of health information resources,
and produced the Healthy Lifestyle brochure, including such chapters, as
personal hygiene, food, sight, hearing, mental activity hygiene, sexual
education and more. The brochure was disseminated in Ijevan, Dilijan, Berd
and Noyemberyan towns of the Tavush region. On December 17, the opening
ceremony of the Greatmed Dilijan branch was held, which will allow the NGO
to expand its activities and contribute to organizing health and environment
related events in the Tavush region, involving the regional population in
these activities.
Contact: Seyran Kocharyan
The Greatmed Scientific and Medical NGO
74 Lisinyan St.
Tel.: (374-1) 56-09-55
E-mail: [email protected]
*** NGOs JOINTLY PROMOTE VOLUNTARY MOVEMEMENT IN ARMENIA
On the initiative of the Armenian Habitat Charitable NGO and Clean Yerevan
project (Our City Is Our Home Foundation), a number of local and
international organizations united in support of the development of
voluntary movement in Armenia. On the occasion of the International Day Of
Volunteers, they organized an event on December 17. Its message was
promoting volunteerism as a major factor for social, economic and cultural
development of Armenia. Various voluntary activities in Armenia were
presented, gratitude was expressed and music and refreshments were provided.
Contact: Haykuhi Khachatryan
Armenian Habitat Charitable NGO
Tel.: (374-1) 55-61-14
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
*** YEREVAK NGO STRENGTHENS ITS CAPACITIES TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SOCIAL
SERVICES AND INFORMATION
On December 17, the presentation of the Noyemberyan based Yerevak NGO’s
capacity building project was held. Local and international organizations
and businessmen of the region were invited. With the assistance of AAA NGO
Center, the NGO has improved its computer center, replenished its legal and
business libraries and published a brochure on NGO activities in three
languages. During the December 17 event, fundraising was held, which will
contribute to developing a film on the Yerevak NGO.
Contact: Sasha Gishyan
Yerevak NGO
Noyemberyan, 14 Zoravar Andranik St.
Tel.: (374-66) 2-26-05, 2-27-05
*** JOINT COMMON ACTIONS OF THE CRINGO NETWORK
On the occasion of the International Day of Human Rights, the Caucasus NGO
Network on Refugees and IDPs (CRINGO Network), held a Negotiation Day and
Solidarity Day. The main idea of Negotiation Day was to address refugee
rights as a part of human rights. Event participants – NGO representatives,
government agencies and international organizations – discussed their roles
in promoting regional cooperation and long-term solution of refugee issues,
as well as social, economic and legal protection, moral-psychological and
cultural issues of refugees. In the end of the event, further actions of the
Network were defined, including legislative amendments, involvement of local
self-governing bodies and solution of cross-border problems.
Solidarity Day included an exhibition of children’s paintings on the topic
The World Without Violence, drawn by children from art and other schools in
Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor and Stepanakert. Of the 50 paintings presented, 12
were selected as winners by a jury. These paintings will be published as a
2005 calendar.
Contact: Karen Asatryan
CRINGO Coordination Board Member
44 Aram St.
Tel: (374-1) 53-05-71
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
__________________________________________________________________________
Armenian NGO News in Brief is a publication of the NGO Training and Resource
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