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Armenian NGO News in Brief - 12/28/2004

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  • Armenian NGO News in Brief - 12/28/2004

    BEST WISHES FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR


    IN THIS ISSUE:

    *** THE WORLD AS CHILDREN SEE IT

    *** PYUNIK FOR THE DISABLED

    *** DRAFT CONCEPT OF THE ROA LAW ON LOBBYING WAS DISCUSSED

    *** INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENTS

    *** GREATMED NGO EXPANDS ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

    *** NGOs JOINTLY PROMOTE VOLUNTARY MOVEMEMENT IN ARMENIA

    *** YEREVAK NGO STRENGTHENS ITS CAPACITIES TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SOCIAL
    SERVICES AND INFORMATION

    *** JOINT COMMON ACTIONS OF THE CRINGO NETWORK



    *** THE WORLD AS CHILDREN SEE IT

    This was the title of the photo exhibition unveiled by the Manana Youth
    Educational Cultural Center NGO in the Armenian Center for the Contemporary
    Experimental Art on December 15. Photos taken by the 8-20 year old members
    of the of the NGO's Photojournalism Club were presented. The photos reflect
    tree cutting, absence of waste removal, destroying architectural values, the
    negative influence of human beings on nature, and children's poverty. On the
    opening day of the exhibition, four films by members of the NGO's Young
    Cinematographers' Club were also shown. Devoted to life conditions of
    children, the films were produced on the occasion of the International Day
    of Children's Communication with UNICEF assistance. The NGO members have
    also successfully participated in 16 international festivals and have won
    prizes and awards. As stated by one of the Center's members, "We try to
    understand the world, rediscover it, be amazed it and enjoy it by making the
    moment of the photo frame lasting."

    Contact: Ruzan Baghdasaryan
    Manana Youth Educational Cultural Center NGO
    2 Baghramyan St., #25
    Tel.: (374-1) 52-48-89; 58-34-97
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: http://www.mibanasem.com


    *** PYUNIK FOR THE DISABLED

    Because rehabilitation equipment used by disabled people in Armenia was in
    disrepair, the Pyunik Union of the Disabled NGO created a wheelchair repair
    workshop. The opening ceremony of the workshop was held on December 2. The
    project was realized thanks to the Embassy of the Sovereign Military Order
    of Malta in Armenia and Aghavni French-Armenian Charitable Organization.
    Wheelchairs and parts needing repair will be collected from individuals,
    organizations and hospitals and sent to the workshop. After repairs, they
    will be returned to the disabled. Free repair services will be provided to
    any disabled person in Armenia needing assistance. Within the framework of
    the project, two disabled people will also be employed. Based on the
    workshop, a local industry of wheelchairs manufacturing is planned to be
    created. Pyunik celebrated December 3 - the International Day of Disabled -
    by organizing an exhibition of paintings and handicrafts of gifted disabled
    young people at the United Nations/Armenia offices. The same day, the Pyunik
    Center hosted a performance by its younger beneficiaries.

    Contact: Hakob Abrahamyan
    Pyunik Union of the Disabled NGO
    16 Tsitsernakaberd St.
    Tel.: (374-1) 56-07-07
    E-mail: [email protected]


    *** DRAFT CONCEPT OF THE ROA LAW ON LOBBYING WAS DISCUSSED

    On December 17, the United Nations Development Programme, in cooperation
    with the ROA Ministry of Justice and the ROA Ministry of Trade and Economic
    Development, held a discussion of the draft concept of the ROA Law on
    Lobbying. Representatives of the Government, National Assembly, local and
    international organizations, trade unions and business associations, as well
    as experts participated in the discussion. The aim of the discussion was to
    review the approaches and suggestions on the draft concept of interested
    NGOs including those representing interests of the private sector. The
    international experience of regulating lobbying, ways, restrictions, rights
    and responsibilities of lobbyists, licensing and accreditation issues were
    discussed. Special importance was attached to the suggestions made on
    Non-Profit lobbying. Developing the regulatory framework for lobbying will
    enable citizens to participate in decision making processes. Providing equal
    opportunities and transparency of participation will promote establishment
    of democratic values in Armenia.

    Contact: Vahan Asatryan
    United Nations Development Program
    Tel.: (374-1) 52-86-72, 52-86-97
    E-mail: [email protected]


    *** INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENTS

    ž On December 8-9, the opening ceremonies of the Human Rights Libraries in
    Artashat and Gavar of the Armenian Constitutional Rights Protecting Center
    (ACRPC) NGO were held. Representatives of state governing, local
    self-governing bodies, as well as local and international organizations and
    Mass Media were invited. The libraries were opened within the framework of
    the Developing Human Rights Library Network In Armenia project, implemented
    by ACRPC with support of the Department of State Public Affairs of the US
    Embassy in Armenia. Currently the Network is comprised of five libraries
    functioning in Vanadzor, Dilijan, Hrazdan, Artashat and Gavar. The libraries
    include reading rooms, almost 15,000 items and are equipped with modern
    computer technologies. More information on the Library Network can be found
    at the ACRPC website: http://www.acrpc.am/arm/libnet.html.
    ž On December 10, ACRPC, in cooperation with the UN Development Program and
    UN Department of Public Information, held several events in Hrazdan,
    including a forum, visiting the Hrazdan Human Rights Library, showing
    thematic films, recitations and musical performances. This year, Human
    Rights Day is dedicated to human rights education by UNESCO and UN High
    Commissioner of Human Rights. During the events, special attention was drawn
    to education, awareness raising and raising the level of public's legal
    consciousness.

    Contact: Gevorg Manukyan
    Armenian Constitutional Rights Protecting Center (ACRPC) NGO
    Vanadzor, Shirakatsi 1st lane, building 2
    Tel.: (374-51) 2-29-67
    E-mail: [email protected]

    *** GREATMED NGO EXPANDS ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

    The Greatmed Scientific and Medical NGO carries out scientific, medical and
    health awareness activities contributing to mother and child healthcare and
    clean environment. Emphasizing the issue of disseminating health knowledge,
    particularly promoting healthy lifestyles in remote regions of Armenia,
    through a grant received from AAA NGOC, Greatmed members have undergone
    vocational training, subscribed to a number of health information resources,
    and produced the Healthy Lifestyle brochure, including such chapters, as
    personal hygiene, food, sight, hearing, mental activity hygiene, sexual
    education and more. The brochure was disseminated in Ijevan, Dilijan, Berd
    and Noyemberyan towns of the Tavush region. On December 17, the opening
    ceremony of the Greatmed Dilijan branch was held, which will allow the NGO
    to expand its activities and contribute to organizing health and environment
    related events in the Tavush region, involving the regional population in
    these activities.

    Contact: Seyran Kocharyan
    The Greatmed Scientific and Medical NGO
    74 Lisinyan St.
    Tel.: (374-1) 56-09-55
    E-mail: [email protected]


    *** NGOs JOINTLY PROMOTE VOLUNTARY MOVEMEMENT IN ARMENIA

    On the initiative of the Armenian Habitat Charitable NGO and Clean Yerevan
    project (Our City Is Our Home Foundation), a number of local and
    international organizations united in support of the development of
    voluntary movement in Armenia. On the occasion of the International Day Of
    Volunteers, they organized an event on December 17. Its message was
    promoting volunteerism as a major factor for social, economic and cultural
    development of Armenia. Various voluntary activities in Armenia were
    presented, gratitude was expressed and music and refreshments were provided.

    Contact: Haykuhi Khachatryan
    Armenian Habitat Charitable NGO
    Tel.: (374-1) 55-61-14
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: http://www.hfharmenia.org


    *** YEREVAK NGO STRENGTHENS ITS CAPACITIES TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SOCIAL
    SERVICES AND INFORMATION

    On December 17, the presentation of the Noyemberyan based Yerevak NGO's
    capacity building project was held. Local and international organizations
    and businessmen of the region were invited. With the assistance of AAA NGO
    Center, the NGO has improved its computer center, replenished its legal and
    business libraries and published a brochure on NGO activities in three
    languages. During the December 17 event, fundraising was held, which will
    contribute to developing a film on the Yerevak NGO.

    Contact: Sasha Gishyan
    Yerevak NGO
    Noyemberyan, 14 Zoravar Andranik St.
    Tel.: (374-66) 2-26-05, 2-27-05


    *** JOINT COMMON ACTIONS OF THE CRINGO NETWORK

    On the occasion of the International Day of Human Rights, the Caucasus NGO
    Network on Refugees and IDPs (CRINGO Network), held a Negotiation Day and
    Solidarity Day. The main idea of Negotiation Day was to address refugee
    rights as a part of human rights. Event participants - NGO representatives,
    government agencies and international organizations - discussed their roles
    in promoting regional cooperation and long-term solution of refugee issues,
    as well as social, economic and legal protection, moral-psychological and
    cultural issues of refugees. In the end of the event, further actions of the
    Network were defined, including legislative amendments, involvement of local
    self-governing bodies and solution of cross-border problems.

    Solidarity Day included an exhibition of children's paintings on the topic
    The World Without Violence, drawn by children from art and other schools in
    Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor and Stepanakert. Of the 50 paintings presented, 12
    were selected as winners by a jury. These paintings will be published as a
    2005 calendar.

    Contact: Karen Asatryan
    CRINGO Coordination Board Member
    44 Aram St.
    Tel: (374-1) 53-05-71
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: http://www.asa.am


    __________________________________________________ ________________________

    Armenian NGO News in Brief is a publication of the NGO Training and Resource
    Center (NGOC) issued in the Armenian, English and Russian languages for
    electronic dissemination inside and outside Armenia. Primary funding for
    the NGOC, which is a project of the Armenian Assembly of America, is
    provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
    Individual NGOs are welcome to submit information for publication to the
    NGOC. The NGO Center is not responsible for the clarity of information
    provided by individual NGOs.


    Dear Readers,

    The not-for-profit, non-governmental sector of Armenia is rich with diverse
    civic initiatives and activities. This electronic publication, though far
    from covering all activities of the sector per any given period of time, is
    intended to contribute to raising awareness, both inside and outside
    Armenia, of the activities of Armenian not-for-profit, non-governmental
    organizations.

    Your comments and feedback about this electronic publication are greatly
    appreciated.

    Thank you.
    NGOC staff.

    Contact Information:

    In Armenia:
    Armenian Assembly of America
    NGO Training and Resource Center
    39 Yeznik Koghbatsi St.,
    Yerevan 375010
    Tel.: (3-741) 54-40-12; 54-40-13; 53-92-04
    Fax: (3-741) 54-40-15
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: http://www.ngoc.am

    In the United States:
    Armenian Assembly of America
    NGO Training and Resource Center
    122 C Street NW, Suite 350
    Washington, DC 20001 USA
    Tel: (202) 393-3434
    Fax: (202) 638-4904
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: http://www.aaainc.org
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