UNISEF MUST KEEP PACE WITH DYNAMIC RATES OF ARMENIA’S DEVELOPMENT

ARKA
March 26, 2008

Below is an exclusive interview by UNISEF Representative in Armenia
Sheldon Yett to the ARKA News Agency.

ARKA: What is your appraisal of UNISEF’s activities in Armenia in 2007?

Yett: The year 2007 saw rather effective cooperation between UNISEF and
Armenia’s Government and civil society, with which we are implementing
joint programs. I would like to note that without cooperating with
Armenia’s Government and nongovernmental organizations UNISEF would
not have been able to carry out effective work and ensure progress.

Among the achievements I can first of all single out a program
of improving the immunization situation in the country in 2007
implemented jointly with the Ministry of Health of Armenia. In 2007,
we carried out a mass immunization of the population against measles
and rubella. We were satisfied with the result – 96% of the population
aged 6-27 were vaccinated.

Another project we implemented jointly with the Ministry of Education
and Science and National Institute of Education was aimed at increasing
the number of children attending preschool educational institutions. A
survey conducted in 2007 showed that only 20% Armenian preschool
children attended the institutions. This is a very low percentage, and
children actually go to school unprepared. At present, in cooperation
with the ministry, we are trying to introduce alternative flexible
models – short-term services – for parents unable to send their
children to preschool institutions.

Besides, we are trying to leave the Soviet model of preschool
institutions behind and introduce interactive methods of
education. Children that have attended preschool institutions are known
to show better results in school, and the possibility of such a child
being left out of the school system or refusing to attend school is
reduced. Investments in preschool education are of extreme importance
as high efficiency can be expected later, and the investment proves
its worth. Thais is the reason why children’s early development is
UNISEF’s priority in over 150 countries.

ARKA: What other programs is the organization implementing in Armenia?

Yett: One of UNISEF’s priority tasks is to ensure a child’s development
in the family. We have worked with and will continue our cooperation
with Armenia’s relevant authorities to prevent children from socially
vulnerable families from finding themselves in orphanages, but to
ensure their growth in families.

In 2007, a patron family model was introduced in the country for
children unable to live in their own families for certain reasons
to be received by other families, where they will grow in a family
atmosphere. Naturally, we are not going to stop at what has been
achieved and will continue out work in 2008. Our work is aimed at
long-lasting effects. UNISEF is not a charitable organization, and
we try to work for the system to start operating independently in
the future.

I would like to stress that UNISEF is in Armenia to help the country’s
government. It is clear that an international organization cannot
replace the country’s authorities. It is the Government that is
responsible for children’s future, living conditions, education and
health. Making statements and adopting documents is not enough for
that. It is important that the elaborated policy envisage necessary
funding.

Budget allocations to education and health care must be adequate. The
funding of sectors involving children is of strategic importance
for the country’s security. By making such investments we invest in
the country’s future. In 2008, we will continue cooperation with our
partners and we hope that our work will be as effective.

ARKA: What was the scope of programs UNISEF implemented in 2007,
and what is the amount intended for this year?

Yett: In 2007, UNISEF implemented $3mln worth programs in Armenia. It
is difficult to say what amount will be intended for programs
this year, as we form our budget of donations from other donor
organizations.

ARKA: Does UNISEF plan to expand its activities in the country in 2008?

Yett: UNISEF is working in Armenia under a 5-year fundamental agreement
with the Government. The agreement is renewed every five years. We
still have two years, until 2009, when the five-year program series
comes to its end.

UNISEF’s priorities in Armenia will remain the same in 2009: health
care, education and protection of children’s rights. However, specific
activities envisaged by the program will be modified.

We hold monthly discussions with our partners at the Government and
nongovernmental organizations, and, in conformity with the results,
take necessary steps under the five-year program. Naturally, attention
is focused on the allocation, distribution and utilization of funds and
on the Government-implemented strategy being aimed at the protection
children as much as possible. UNISEF’s activities are not strictly
limited.

We are always open for new ideas, and if they can improve children’s
life in the country, we are ready to take steps to put them into
practice.

Armenia is a most dynamically developing country, and our organization
must keep pace with the rates of development. We need new ideas and
models for more effective aid to families and children living in
this country.

ARKA: What is your appraisal of UNISEF’s cooperation with the local
authorities in charge of problems?

Yett: The NGOs UNISEF is cooperating with in Armenia number 30. But
I would like to say that this figure changes year by year due to
new organizations.

I consider our cooperation with Armenian NGOs excellent.

I cannot single out one or a few organizations as all of them are of
equal value and necessary for us. All of them are working at the local
level and serve as our "eyes" and "ears" in the country’s communities
and regions. Besides, NGOs make interesting proposals we study and
often apply in our activities.

ARKA: What new surveys and monitoring does UNISEF plan in Armenia?

Yett: Surveys and monitoring is UNISEF’s fundamental activities
throughout the world, as we are unable to plan our work without
this information. Specifically, I would like to point out a number of
surveys UNISEF conducted in Armenia in 2007. One of them dealt with the
disorders caused b y iodine deficiency in children’s organism. Iodine
deficiency is known to affect children’s intellectual growth and
development.

A survey UNISEF has conducted in cooperation with the Ministry
of Health this year showed that 90% of children in the country
receive the necessary quantity of iodine with iodized salt. Jointly
with the Ministry of Health we are cooperating with the Avan salt
mine. Specifically, we provided the salt mine with necessary equipment
and potassium iodide for iodizing the salt mined there. Another survey
was conducted in the children’s health protection field and dealt with
timely immunization. We revealed some vaccination-related problems.

The point is that 60% of children were vaccinated behind schedule. Now,
in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, we are going to remedy the
situation. Another survey dealt with the education sector, particularly
with school attendance. In general, we determined a number of reasons
for poor attendance, including coaching and low income of a number
of families. This year, UNISEF plans to conduct a deeper study of
the non-attendance problem and elaborate mechanisms to improve the
situation. We also intend to study cases of child labor in Armenia.

ARKA: What is your opinion of the results of vaccination against
measles and rubella?

Yett: In 2007, in cooperation with the RA Ministry of Health, we
carried our a mass immunization against measles and rubella. The
result was very good – 96% of people aged 6-27 were vaccinated. The
prevalence of these principal "infanticide" diseases is known to
have considerably decreased worldwide. Since 1990, an approximate 60%
decrease in the number of deaths from measles and German measles has
been recorded. Armenia has joined the countries trying to eradicate
the disease.

The vaccination was organized for those who were not vaccinated
when Armenia experienced the years of darkness and cold. It should
be stressed that the campaign caused much tension. The importance
of the action is that measles has no age limits, any person may be
infected. The disease poses gave danger to children. The people not
vaccinated in time pose a threat to others, as they are potential
carriers and transmitters of the virus amid the population. The latest
outbreak of measles was recorded in Armenia not long ago, in 2004-2005.

However, vaccination campaigns are not enough for good results to be
achieved. Routine and timely immunization is necessary as well.

ARKA: Does UNISEF intend to appoint a new good-will ambassador
to Armenia?

Yett: UNISEF Good-Will Ambassador to Armenia Alla Levonyan is very
good at performing her duties though this is her first year. At her
concerts and appearances the popular singer advocates family values
and protection of children’s rights. In a recent vaccination campaign
Levonyan was involved as a participant in advocacy advertising. We
are satisfied with her work and have no intention to appoint a new
ambassador.

In 2008, we also plan a l;arge-scale campaign for children’s right
to live in families, and Alla Levonyan will participate as well.

ARKA: What is your opinion of the Armenian Government’s activities
in dealing with children’s problems?

Yett: As compared with the other countries of the region and
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) budget allocations to health
care, education and social protection of children are rather small
in Armenia, though the Armenian Government increases allocations
year by year. Since UNISEF is an organization supposed to protect
children’s rights, we would, of course, like to see more budgetary
funds allocated for these purposes.