RURAL POVERTY ERADICATION PROGRAM DISCUSSED

ARMENPRESS
Mar 30 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 30, ARMENPRESS: Foreign minister Vartan Oskanian was
the key speaker today at a discussion on Rural Poverty Eradication
Program, which was organized by the UNDP in cooperation with the
American University of Armenia (AUA).

Oskanian said the strategic objective of this program is to eradicate
rural poverty in Armenia by offering technical and strategic support
to Armenia’s border villages, engaging the residents of the rural
communities in determining their own development path, thus enabling
their sustainability and viability, and strengthening Armenia’s
geo-strategic and economic security.

He said the purpose is to improve a community’s social and economic
well-being, by upgrading infrastructure, offering technical assistance
to agriculture-based activities, and identifying alternatives to
agriculture.

Oskanian said this program depends on the successful interaction
of a variety of entities and factors – the population of each rural
community and their local institutions, the Government of Armenia,
the various international aid agencies already providing invaluable
assistance to Armenia’s rural communities and marzes, and the financial
support and know-how of the Armenian Diaspora.

Oskanian recalled that this program had been first at the Third
Armenia-Diaspora Conference and received its overall support.

The program has been assigned to All-Armenian Hayastan Fund which
will steer its implementation.

Oskanian said some changes are taking place inside the structure for
development of program implementation mechanisms. The program involves
50 rural communities located 3-4 km from each other.

UNDP Resident Coordinator Consuelo Vidal said this program is in tune
with UN Millennium Development Goals.