OSCE OFFICE ORGANIZES HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING FOR YOUNG ACTIVISTS FROM ARMENIA’S REGIONS

armradio.am
14.07.2009 18:15

Twenty-seven young activists and representatives of non-governmental
organizations from Armenia’s regions completed an OSCE-supported
training course on human rights in Sevan today.

The five-day "Step Ahead" training course was organized by the
Helsinki Committee of Armenia and the Urban Foundation for Sustainable
Development with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and
the Delegation of the European Commission to Armenia. It aimed to
strengthen the skills of young human rights activists from Armenia’s
regions to monitor, identify and report on human rights violations
in their local communities.

"A strong civil society is a vital factor in a democratic society. I
hope that this exercise of empowerment for young human rights activists
will contribute to the improved protection of human rights in the
regions and consolidation of democratic institutions in Armenia,"
said the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Sergey Kapinos.

The participants learned about freedom of speech, freedom of
conscience, citizen participation in local government’s decision-making
procedures, tolerance, domestic and international human rights
instruments and protection mechanisms.

"The younger generation is the driving force to achieve positive
changes in a society. Changes in th e mentality of young people,
increased motivation and knowledge of human rights protection tools
and mechanisms will result in more effective human rights protection
in Armenia," said Avetik Ishkhanyan, the Chairman of the Armenian
Helsinki Committee.

Human rights education is a part of the OSCE Office’s activities
aimed at increasing awareness of human rights protection mechanisms
and strengthening the capacities of human rights advocates in Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress