HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN: "CHILDREN OF THE ORPHANAGE REPRESENT THE MOST VULNERABLE LAYER OF OUR SOCIETY"

National Assembly
June 9 2009
Armenia

On June 8 President of the National Assembly Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan
visited UNICEF (The United Nations Children’s Fund) to take part
in the opening of the exhibition of the photos "Children are Not
Toys." Vigen Mnoyan’s program is implemented under the high patronage
of the President of the National Assembly by the support of UNICEF.

The goal of the program is to draw the Armenian public’s attention to
the issue of the protection of the children’s rights. It is dedicated
to the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention of the
Child’s Rights. The President of the National Assembly and UNICEF
Representative urged the public to make all efforts in order the
children would be able to make use of their rights.

Delivering a speech at the opening of the exhibition RA NA President
Mr. H. Abrahamyan said: "Today here starts photographer Vigen Mnoyan’s
program of photos "Children are Not Toys." When Mr. Mnoyan applied
to the National Assembly we immediately made a decision to support him.

One of the most important slogans of my activities is: "Everything For
Children." And this slogan, I think, does not need any additional
explanation. We don’t miss the opportunity to contact with the
children. Last time on June 1, on the International Children’s Day
the doors of the National Assembly opened before the children.

This exhibition is not simply an occasion for meeting. In these
photos also are pictured children, which today. Those children,
perhaps, represent the most vulnerable layer of our society. We must
do everything in order to protect the children and their rights,
promote in their becoming a full member of this society.

I hope that due to this event we would succeed to draw the attention
of the public to this important problem."

Touching upon the activities of UNICEF in Armenia the President
of the Parliament said: "I want to take this advantage and express
our gratitude to the UN Children’s Fund for the close and effective
cooperation of the last 15 years. This exhibition is an example of
such cooperation. I am sure that this fund will continue to promote
the protection of the children’s rights, the solution of their health
care and educational problems."

Representative of UNICEF Armenia Office Mrs. Laylee Moshiri said:
"This year we celebrate an important event: the 20th anniversary
of the adoption of the Convention of the Child’s Rights. It is an
influential legal and moral instrument for protecting all children’s
rights, as well as directs UNICEF in all actions."

The visitors of the exhibition brought toys with them, which will be
provided to Armenia’s pre-educational institutions and daily centers
of the children’s care of vulnerable families. The goal of those
centers is to prevent the appearance of the children of socially
needy families in the orphanages.

The exhibition will be officially closed on November 20 in the National
Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on the day of the adoption of
Convention on Child’s Rights by UN General Assembly. Meanwhile,
the exhibition of those photos will be shown in other big cities
of Yerevan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress