NEW AARHUS CENTRE OPENS IN KOTAYK REGION OF ARMENIA
armradio.am
06.12.2007 10:37
An Aarhus public environmental information Centre opened in Hrazdan,
Kotayk province of Armenia.
"Aarhus Centres are catalysts, advocates, educators and facilitators
of sustainable development. The Centre will help in capacity-building,
and in developing co-operation and dialogue among all parties involved
in environmental issues," said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head
of the OSCE Office.
"Such centers play a significant role in promoting environmental
education in Armenia by conducting public hearings and enhancing
public participation on the local level to ensure a democratic
decision-making process."
The Centre will work with a wide range of partners, including
the provincial administration, non-governmental and international
organizations, the private sector and civil society.
"The Aarhus Centre will serve as an outreach tool for local
authorities, it will help increase awareness on environmental topics
among the population, bring international experience to the region,
and help develop environmentally sound programmes," said Kovalenko
Shahgaldyan, the Governor of Kotayk province.
The initiative to open the Centre was supported by the Ministry of
Nature Protection and the Ministry of Education and Science.
On 12 December, an Aarhus Centre will open in Gyumri, Shirak province,
the ninth such Centre in Armenia.