OSCE YEREVAN OFFICE HONORS ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS WITH CERTIFICATES

armradio.am
22.12.2009 18:03

Representatives of non-governmental organizations, Aarhus Centres
and municipal governments were awarded certificates for their work to
protect the environment at a conference organized by the OSCE Office
in Yerevan today to summarize the achievements and encourage further
success in the field.

The event that brought together representatives of civil society,
government, business and the cultural community aimed to raise
awareness on environmental matters and highlight the OSCE Office’s
work in the field.

Certificate recipients included: Aarhus Centres in Yerevan, Gyumri,
Hrazdan, Goris and Kapan supporting the implementation of the
Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation
in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters;
the environmental NGOs Ecolur and Khazer; the Mayor of the southern
city of Kajaran, and a representative of the Human Rights Defender’s
Office dealing with ecological rights.

"The involvement of all stakeholders and increased efforts of the
government and the community are vital in promoting ‘green democracy’
said the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Sergey
Kapinos emphasizing the achievement in promoting the civil society
co-operation with the Ministries of Nature Protection and Territorial
Administration under the auspices of the Office. "The certificates
are worthy acknowledgments of the progress that have been achieved
so far, and we are going to continue our efforts in this direction,"

Amalia Hambartsumyan, the Head of Khazer NGO that promotes
environmental awareness and education in Armenia, added:

"Civil activism is very important and we consider the support from
the state and international organizations instrumental in finding
lasting solutions to today’s environmental challenges."

Armenian Minister of Nature Protection and Human Rights Defender were
present at the event.