Armenian Assembly of America
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Phone: 202-393-3434
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PRESS RELEASE
September 22, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
NGOs SELECTED FOR COALITION BUILDING PROGRAM
Washington, DC – The League of Women Voters (LWV), the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly) and the NGO Center, Civil Society
Development Organization (NGOC) are pleased to announce the selection
of six NGOs to participate in the launch of a Coalition Building
education program for local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in
southern Armenia.
The goal of this program is to provide and expand on existing skill
sets for effective coalition and cross-sector coalition
building. Through a series of focused coaching sessions, homework
assignments, and team-building exercises, NGO representatives will
learn how to build and maintain coalitions and work together to
effectively advocate for positive change in their communities.
Selection Committee members met earlier this month to review the
applications. Six NGOs were selected. Each NGO will send two
representatives to participate in the three, two-week sessions to be
held in September, October and November, in Yeghegnadzor, in Armenia’s
Vayots Dzor Region. LWV Deputy Director Zaida Arguedas, Assembly
Country Director Arpi Vartanian and NGOC Trainer/Consultant and
Program Coordinator Hripsime Nazaretyan, extend their thanks to fellow
Selection Committee Members from the Armenian Young Women’s
Association/Yerevan, Counterpart International, National Democratic
Institute and OSCE/Yerevan, for their active participation and
support.
Of the six NGOs selected, four are from the Vayots Dzor Region and two
are from the Syunik Region. Within their own communities, all of the
NGOs selected have specific areas of concern, ranging from health and
social issues to education and cultural issues, to human rights, to
overcoming stereotypes, to garbage collection, to issues of the
disabled, and more. By forming coalitions, NGOs can work with each
other and their local communities to overcome these issues.
Vartanian remarked, "I’d like to extend my thanks to our Selection
Committee for their valuable input and support, which is helping this
project move forward. Each of the NGOs that will participate in this
project has something important to offer to the program. Upon
successfully graduating this course, they will be part of a core group
of NGOs that will lay the foundations in southern Armenia for
effective cross-sector coalitions and partnerships."
NGOs Selected
Syunik Disabled People Support Organization, Voghji, advocates for the
rights of those with special needs, and assists the integration of the
disabled into society by addressing their social, legal, education,
and health related issues.
The Women’s Association of Kapan, promotes gender equality and the
active participation of women in the public, political, economic and
social issues in the Syunik Region.
Huys-98 (Hope-98) NGO, from Vayk, concentrates primarily on issues in
the social, cultural, health and education sectors by providing
consultations on social, psychological, and legal issues and
organizing community development activities.
Fund Against Violation of Law, Vayk Branch, works primarily in the
legal sector, supporting the establishment of democracy and peace
building initiatives, through community development, to victims of war
and violence, in particular, refugees, former hostages, war prisoners,
etc.
Fund Against Violation of Law, Yeghegnadzor Branch, working in the
Vayots Dzor, Syunik, and Gegharkunik regions of Armenia, addresses
legal, community development, health, and youth issues. Services are
provided to victims of war, ethnic minorities, and others whose rights
have been violated.
The Armenian Young Women’s Association, Yeghegnadzor Branch, focuses
on advocacy, service delivery, education and overcoming
stereotypes. AYWA’s mission is to enhance the status of and encourage
the participation of young women in public, political, economic,
educational, cultural and other fields, by working with young women
and men.
Nazaretyan, long-time Trainer and Consultant with the NGO Center, is
the Program Coordinator for this program. As a Trainer with the NGOC
since its establishment in 1994 as a project of the Assembly, she
brings a wealth of experience to this project. The NGOC’s goal is to
promote democracy through civil society development. In 2005, the NGOC
registered as a separate, local entity, and continues to work with
NGOs and other elements of civil society.
Arguedas also remarked "I like to thank all those who have joined us
to make this project a possibility. This program commences on
September 22, and we look forward to all its success to the region and
Armenia." Arguedas will be in Armenia from September 18 – October 4.
This project is made possible through the collective efforts of the
League of Women Voters of the United States, the Armenian Assembly of
America and the NGO Center Civil Society Development NGO. Funding for
this project has been provided in the form of a grant to the League of
Women Voters by private donors and Assembly Trustees Charles Talanian
and Peter Vosbikian.
The NGOC was established in 1994, as a project of the Armenian
Assembly of America to promote democracy through civil society
development. In 2005, it registered as a separate, local entity in
Armenia. Targeting NGOs, community based organizations (CBOs), civic
action groups (CAGs) and other elements of civil society, the NGO
Center continues to help them in their efforts to develop a strong NGO
sector in Armenia.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization,
encourages informed and active participation in government, works to
increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences
public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League
is open to men and women of all ages. With more than 88 years of
experience and 850 local and state affiliates, the League is one of
America’s most trusted grassroots organizations.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
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NR#2008-067
Editor’s Note: Photo can be viewed by following this link:
s/PR_-_2008/Sept/Selection-Committee-16-ECWB.jpg
Photo Caption: L to R – Alex Sardar, Counterpart International; Lilit
Asatryan, Armenian Young Women’s Youth Association; Tsovinar
Harutiunyan, OSCE; Hripsime Nazaretyan, NGO Center Civil Society
Development Organization; Inga Kirakosyan, National Democratic
Institute and Arpi Vartanian, Armenian Assembly of America