OSCE OFFICE HOLDS OPEN LESSON TO COMMEMORATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY IN ARMENIA

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
June 7 2006

YEREVAN, 6 June 2006 – The OSCE Office in Yerevan marked World
Environment Day yesterday by holding an open lesson for around 30
schoolchildren and teachers together with the Public Environmental
Information Centre (Aarhus Centre).

World Environment Day, established by the United National General
Assembly in 1972, aims to promote worldwide awareness of the
environment and attract political and public attention.

“Environmental degradation, unsustainable use of natural resources,
mismanagement of waters and pollution have a negative impact on
health, welfare, stability and human security,” said Ambassador
Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “Protecting
the environment is an obligation for all of us.”

During the lesson, Ambassador Pryakhin introduced environmental
publications and posters produced with the OSCE Office’s support
and encouraged participants to use resources available at the Aarhus
Centre.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan has been implementing an environmental
programme since 2000, focusing its activities on promoting the
principles of the Aarhus Convention, which include access to
information, public participation in decision-making and access to
justice on environmental matters. The Office has established a network
of Aarhus Centres in Armenia and organizes annual competitions for
journalists to encourage environmental journalism.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress