Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
December 5, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
Assembly meets with NGOs and visits mayor of yeghegnadzor
Yerevan, Armenia – On November 20, Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly) Country Director Arpi Vartanian traveled to Yeghegnadzor to
meet with 12 NGO representatives participating in the NGO Coalition
Building project. The participants, representing six NGOs from the
Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions have been studying advocacy, leadership
and coalition-building skills.
As part of their training exercises and to better help the participants
understand how to form, maintain, and work within coalitions, the NGOs,
representing diverse sectors, were required to unite around one issue
and form a coalition, as they developed their skills. Motivated by
rampant pollution in their communities, negative environmental impact,
low levels of both ecological awareness and social partnerships in the
Syunik and Vayots Dzor regions, these NGOs formed the Clean Community
Coalition.
In the morning, Vartanian joined the NGO representatives as they met
with newly reelected Mayor Sirekan Babayan and Deputy Mayor Vartkess
Haroutiunian to discuss the coalition. Vartanian spoke of the work of
the Assembly in general, and in particular, outlined the idea behind the
NGO Coalition Building project. Varditer Khachatrian, from Fund Against
Violation of Law, Yeghegnadzor Branch, presented the Coalition, and its
vision, mission, goals, and concerns. Other Coalition members also
joined the conversation. Mayor Babayan, completely aware of the problem,
and receptive to the Coalition’s ideas, extended his support. During the
very warm and open meeting, the Mayor noted that he believed education,
to change society’s attitude toward littering, was one important area on
which to focus, especially working with children and their parents. The
Mayor appointed Deputy Mayor Haroutiunian as the primary point of
contact for the Coalition, as it carried out its work in Yeghegnadzor.
In the afternoon, Vartanian spoke with the NGOs about advocacy and
working with the media. To further illustrate her points, she shared
real-life experiences, "do’s and don’ts," suggestions and specific
examples and documents to help the Coalition members as they planned
their strategies. A lively discussion followed. Vartanian was impressed
with the research and work the participants had done to date, including
outlining on maps the status of garbage and pollution in their
communities. Ranging from clean "green zones" to the most polluted "red
zones," the maps the NGOs prepared showed the problems their communities
face. Sharing the photographs they had taken, the problems faced were
even more clearly illustrated. Vartanian urged them to use these maps
and pictures during their press conference and other meetings. After
all, as she told them, "one picture is worth a thousand words."
One NGO representative told Vartanian, "Your presentation has motivated
me. The practical knowledge and experiences you shared have given me
more confidence, especially in anticipation of our upcoming press
conference."
Vartanian’s visit was timely as it came just one week before the
Coalition’s first press conference held on November 26, in Yerevan. For
some of the participants, it would be the first time they would be
participating in a press conference.
This program is made possible through the collective efforts of the
League of Women Voters (LWV), the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly) and the NGO Center Civil Society Development NGO (NGOC).
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.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
###
Editor’s Note –
To view a photo of NGO’s visit with Mayor of Yeghegnadzor, please follow
the link below:
ges/PR_-_2008/November/Assemb
ly_NGOs_Meet_with_Ma yor_of_Yeghegnadzor.JPG
Photo Caption: NGO Representatives, Assembly and LWV in group with
Yeghegnadzor’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor – (Seated, L-R) Deputy Mayor
Vartkess Harutiunian, Assembly Country Director Arpi Vartanian, Mayor
Sirekan Babayan and LWV Trainer Barbara Bartoletti
To read the Clean Community Coalition Press Release, please follow the
link below:
2008_recent/LWV_-_Nov_2608_PR
_eng.pdf
To read the NGO Coalition Building Project Summer 2008 Newsletter,
please follow the link below:
2008_recent/NGO_Coalition_New
sletter_11-08.pdf
__ _________________________
Notice: The information contained in this electronic communication is
confidential, may be privileged and is intended only for the use of the
addressee. It is the property of the Armenian Assembly of America. You
are hereby notified that any unauthorized review, use, dissemination or
copying of this communication or any part thereof is strictly
prohibited, and may be unlawful. If you have received this
communication in error, please notify us immediately by facsimile (202)
638-4904 or by telephone at (202) 393-3434, and destroy this
communication and all copies thereof. Thank you.