CLEAN COMMUNITY COALITION FORMED WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF COALITION BUILDING PROJECT

armradio.am
26.11.2008 17:25

The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWV), the Armenian
Assembly of America (AAA) and the NGO Center, Civil Society Development
Organization (NGOC) have organized a Coalition Building educational
program for six local non-governmental organizations operating in the
Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions of Armenia. The goal of this program is
to provide and expand on existing skill sets for effective coalition
and cross-sector coalition building.

As a result of the program, the Clean Community Coalition was
formed, the mission of which is to promote environmental protection
and encourage healthy lifestyles. Advocating for improved garbage
collection has been selected as one of the priority activities of
the Coalition.

Anna Hovhannissian, Program Manager of the Armenian Young Women’s
Association, Yeghegnadzor Branch, said, "The Clean Community Coalition
has already met with the Mayors of Yeghegnadzor and Vayk. Both
welcomed this initiative and expressed their readiness to support
the Coalition."

Chairman of the Syunik Disabled People Support Organization, Voghji,
Kamo Davtian added that the motives in establishing the Coalition
were the dirty conditions at historical-cultural monuments in the
Kapan, Kajaran, Vayk and Yeghegnadzor communities and nearby areas,
the lack of information regarding the negative environmental impac
ts on people’s health, the low culture of ecological awareness of
community members, as well as low levels of social partnerships in
the Syunik and Vayots Dzor regions.

NGOs participating in the program colored maps of their towns according
to the levels of garbage collection. "The dirtiest areas are the
Voghji and Vachagan Rivers in Syunik, where household and construction
garbage is being thrown," said Mr. Davtian. He substantiated his
words by showing pictures capturing the real situation of garbage
collection in those towns.

Program Manager of the Women’s Association of Kapan Region Arine
Harutiunian presented future plans of the Coalition. "We wish to assist
in protecting the environment and advancing healthy lifestyles through
research, increasing awareness of ecological issues in schools and
other community establishments, and advocating for improved garbage
collection systems," she concluded.