UC RUSAL AND UNDP ARMENIA ANNOUNCE 10 BEST SCHOOL PROJECTS WINNERS

Economic News
January 30, 2008 Wednesday

Yerevan. OREANDA-NEWS . On 30 January 2008 UC RUSAL, the worlds
largest aluminium and alumina producer, announced the winners of
the 10 Best School Projects competition implemented in Armenia in
partnership with UNDP Global Compact. For the first time in Armenia,
schoolchildren from twelve educational institutions will receive grants
of 1 million drams each to implement socially beneficial projects.

40 proposals from 32 educational institutions in Yerevan were submitted
to the evaluation committees for consideration. At the first stage, the
applications were evaluated by the Childrens Committee formed by the
children of UC RUSAL ARMENAL and UNDP employees. At the second stage,
the proposals were considered by an Expert Committee consisting of
representatives of UC RUSAL, UNDP, UNICEF, the Ministry of Education
and Science of Armenia, the State University of Yerevan and local
NGOs. As a result, the ten best were selected for funding. Two special
projects were also awarded with grants.

Welcoming UC RUSALs and UNDPs joint initiative, Mr. Levon Lazarian,
the Minister of Education and Science of Armenia, emphasized the
importance of the corporate worlds contribution to the education
sector; UC RUSALs involvement serves as a bright example of corporate
social responsibility for other businesses in Armenia.

Mr. Georgy Avetikyan, Director, UC RUSAL ARMENAL said; This project
is an important first step reflecting UC RUSALs long term social
commitment in Armenia, which the company will implement in cooperation
with UNDP. This is a very good project to teach youngsters the basics
of corporate citizenship and will enable them to implement projects
useful for their local community.

The UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Consuelo Vidal told the
audience that; It is very important to cultivate a culture of social
responsibility among children and youth of school ages.

It will help them to become more responsible citizens later in life.

The 10 Best School Projects also stimulates creativity and
self-confidence, as well as helping adults to better understand the
importance of childrens participation and contribution to the solution
of issues related to their own educational environment or neighborhood.