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CENN - SEPTEMBER 16, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. Call for Papers – Environment and Security
2. One Bar of Gold, One Tone of Controversy
3. Strong Lari Leads to Calls for Energy Rate Reductions
4. Community Education Campaign in Regions
5. AGBU UN Workshop Targets an Issue Crucial to Armenia and other
Nations
1. CALL FOR PAPERS - ENVIRONMENT AND SECURITY
Dear colleagues!
As you probably know, CENN (Caucasus Environmental NGO Network) together
with Armenian and Azeri partners, is publishing quarterly regional
environmental magazine – “Caucasus Environment”, which has scientific,
educational, popular character.
(http://www.cenn.org/magazine_archive.html). The “Caucasus Environment”
is bilingual (English and Russian) publication. The aim of CENN is to
create an independent high quality publication on environmental issues -
a magazine that could educate, inspire and empower Caucasus citizens to
make a difference for the environment. The regional magazine covers not
only purely ecological matters, but also issues concerning the
environment as a whole. These include the natural environment, social
environment (the interconnection between the environment and poverty,
gender issues, demography, health, historical cultural heritage,
ethnography, archaeology, geopolitical issues, etc.), industry &
environment, agriculture, tourism, land use, cadastre and all types of
characteristics and peculiarities of the Caucasus region, defining
environment in a broad sense. The Magazine is distributed worldwide.
The coming issue of the "Caucasus Environment" Magazine is dedicated to
the ENVIRONMENT AND SECURITY of the Caucasus. Caucasus - meaning not
only Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also southern regions of
Russia, Iran and Turkey. We are looking for your articles, dedicated to
the following themes:
ENVIRONMENT AND SECURITY
Main Envsec problems of the Caucasus, especially problems having
transboundary character (rivers, water reservoirs, pollution etc.),
among them:
o Problems of natural environment (geodynamic processes: avalanches, mud
and land-slides, drought, seismic activity, etc.)
o Affect of global warming
o Pollution - water, air, soil, etc.
o Urban problems
o Deforestation, desertification
o Waste management
o Pipeline and other infrastructure safety
o Agriculture risk (irrigation, degradation of soil, irrational use of
water, GMO etc.)
o Refugees (environmental problems of refugees from conflict zones and
environmental refugees - due to Caspian Sea level rise etc.)
o Abandoned soviet stocks of weapon, military equipment
o Over use of ground waters and other resources
o Loss of biodiversity
o Nuclear and radiation safety
o Legislation on environment and security
o Civil society and security - advocacy, public movement etc.
o Economic aspects of environmental security
o Other issues related to environment and security
NOTE!
Due to large number of articles we receive for each issue, we have
worked out Rules of submission:
1. Preliminary letter of interest, describing theme of article and its
brief abstract should be submitted latest on 1 October 2004. Please,
submit your letters as early as possible, so that we have time to work
on the article! Articles and letters can be sent to the following
addresses: [email protected] [email protected] Letters and
articles can be sent in English and/or Russian language.
2. The article itself should be submitted latest on 15 October 2004. We
may not accept articles that are sent without preliminary notification
letter (1 October), or the articles that are sent after the final
deadline (15 October 2004).
3. Please note that generally we do not accept articles that were
already published (though there could be exceptions), we do not accept
statistical materials, or the articles that contain only well known
data.
4. The size of article should be maximum 2 pages (4 000 symbols), each
language.
5. Priority is given to the articles that are prepared by regional
efforts (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Caspian
States etc.). Priority is also given to the articles that contain
photos, are prepared in both languages (Russian and English).
6. Contact with authors: as the topics are finalized, we provide all
authors with edited and proved versions of their articles, and wait for
their approval for 3 working days. After this time, we have the right
either to use or reject the article on our own decision. On request of
an author, we can place his/her contact address, e-mail or phone in the
article. For NGOs, we can place advertisement of their production
(“green” products, juices, fruit, solar power etc.) with special price.
Contact us on e-mail or phone for details.
7. Please, let us know, if there is something you specially like/dislike
about our magazine, as we always look for better communication ways and
opportunities.
8. Become MEMBER OF THE CAUCASUS ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY AND GET OUR
MAGAZINE FREE OF CHARGE!!! For more information, please see
http://www.cenn.org/environment_society.html
9. We encourage all of you to send us your articles, as it is a best
chance to let the World know about your country, your activities, your
NGO and yourself! It is a good way to find reliable partners, friends,
donors, ideas, programs and – last not least – the most actual and
updated information about our common house – the Caucasus. We will be
happy to have articles not only from Caucasus – Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, but also articles provided by the
specialists and scientists interested in this region.
Looking forward to receive your feedback!
Catherine Nakashidze
Editor-in-Chief
CAUCASUS ENVIRONMENT Magazine
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network
Tel: +995 32 92 39 46
GSM: +995 99 51 67 09
Fax: +995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.cenn.org
2. ONE BAR OF GOLD, ONE TONE OF CONTROVERSY
Source: The Messenger, September 16, 2004
The activities of the joint stock company Madneuli were accompanied by
loud scandals during the Shevardnadze ear and the tradition continues
today.
Last week the director of Madneuli Vasil Tsotadze presented the
president of Georgia the first bar of gold produced in Georgia from gold
containing alloys. Almost simultaneously, however, 8 of 9 members of the
Board of Directors resigned, leading the deputy head of the
parliamentary economic policy committee Vazha Kiladze to declare that
the change of the Madneuli management has not resulted in a change of
the old, corrupt system.
Madneuli was not listed in Minister of Economy Bendukidze’s recent
privatization list, but the sensationalist paper Alia reports that
Madneuli may be sold soon – to the minister of economy himself.
The paper claims that the selling price has been set at USD 12 million,
which is regarded to be a very small sum for such a company and has been
described by Bendukidze himself as “absurd”.
The minister of economy does not question, however, that it is essential
the company should be privatized, Alia reports. According to him any
state owned company is a source of corruption.
The paper also reports that Bendukidzemay have a rival in former media
magnate Erosi Kintsmarishvili, who intends to try buy Madneuli. However,
Kintsmarishvili has not confirmed the information. There have been all
sorts of rumors regarding Kintsmarishvili’s business interests, and it
is difficult to determine which are true and false.
The current manager of Madneuli Vasil Tsotadze declares that he is not
against the privatization of the company, but is trying to show that
there has been progress in the company, as evidenced by the recent
production of a bar of gold.
In contrast with these statements of the general director, MP Kiladze
believes little has changed in Madneuli since the resignation of Zurab
Lobzhanidze, who managed the company during Shevardnadze’s period.
Although the company’s profits have risen, this is due to a rise in the
price of copper on the world market by USD 1, 000 (from 1,800 to 2,800).
The price of gold has also risen, from USD 300 to USD 400 per ounce. At
the same time, reports Khvalindeli Dghe, the cost of production at
Madneuli has sharply increased, from GEL 391 per tom of copper in 2000
to GEL 755 per ton day.
Kiladze claims that corruption is still at works at Madneuli. According
to him, Lobzhanidze, who is in exile, is now taking part in the
management of the company through his work at the Swedish company
Glencore International AG, which is a contractor of the Georgian
company. Kiladze says there is other evidence of corruption and has
called for the dismissal of the current director of the company.
3. STRONG LARI LEADS TO CALLS FOR ENERGY RATE REDUCTIONS
Source: The Messenger, September 16, 2004
There is growing concern among Georgians that despite the strengthening
of the lari, there has been no reduction in tariffs for electricity and
natural gas. Asked by a New Rights Opposition MP about the possibility
of a reduction in the electricity tariff, the chairmen of the Georgian
National Energy Regulatory Commission (GNERC) confirmed that none was
envisaged.
One kilowatt of electricity currently costs 12.4 tetri. This price was
fixed by GNERC on August 15,2003, when the lari rate against the dollar
was 2.11. Now 1 dollar buys approximately GEL 1.88, and this has led to
calls for a reduction of the price of electricity so as to provide
essential relief fir socially vulnerably sectors of the population.
GNERC Chairmen Gia Tavadze could only promise that the tariff would not
increase. He said that he was not yet sure how the GEL rate would affect
the electricity supply, particularly in winter, when Telasi will need to
import additional electricity.
The leader of the Right Wing Opposition David Gamkrelidze labeled
Tavadze’s statement as “blackmail of the population,” as reported in
both Khvalindeli Dge and 24 Saati.
While the GNERC stared it had no plans to reduce the electricity tariff,
it said it does plan to reduce the natural gas tariff by around two
tetri. It is envisaged that the Russian natural gas distribution company
Itera will reduce its tariffs but negotiations continue and the final
decision is yet to be announced.
The GNERC is designed to be an organization independent of the state and
it sets the tariffs twice a year in April and October.
4. COMMUNITY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN REGIONS
Starting from August 2004, the E-Armenia Foundation NGO initiated an
educational campaign within the framework of the E-Governance for
Territorial Administration project, implemented by UNDP, jointly with
the ROA Government. The project is aimed at increasing participation and
access to information on the regional level through creating web-based
e-governance systems hosted by regional administrations and the ROA
Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Coordination
(http://www.region.am/.) The goal of the E-Armenia NGO's project is to
raise public awareness on e-Governance and, in particular, on existing
regional web resources. The campaign components include: training
courses for specialists of Internet centers within Project Harmony
Armenia's School Connectivity Program, distribution of printed manuals
on usage of regional web sites; a series of workshops and discussions
with different sectors in communities; public awareness campaign using
local media, and distribution of printed promotional materials,
including posters and fact sheets.
Campaigns already have been conducted in three towns of Shirak region
and two towns of Kotayk region. The campaign will conclude in December
2004. All are invited to cooperate within the Community Education
Campaign.
Contact: E-Armenia Foundation
17 Charents St., 2nd floor
Tel.: (374-1) 57-02-60
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.e-armenia.am
5. AGBU UN WORKSHOP TARGETS AN ISSUE CRUCIAL TO ARMENIA AND OTHER
NATIONS
AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
New York - On Wednesday, September 8, 2004, AGBU brought together some
of the leading voices in landmine eradication and environmental issues
at the largest gathering of non-governmental organizations in the world
- the United Nation's 57th Annual DPI/NGO Conference in Manhattan
entitled "Millennium Development Goals: Civil Society Takes Action."
Entitled, "Overcoming Obstacles to Economic Growth & Community
Development: The Role of Civil Society," the AGBU workshop, attended by
Peggy Kerry - sister of Presidential candidate John Kerry and NGO
liaison to the US Mission of the United Nations – and an audience of
international NGO representatives, invited speakers to discuss their
grassroots projects in Afghanistan, Armenia and Cambodia that help
rehabilitate post-war societies through demining, tree planting and
other infrastructure-based initiatives.
AGBU United Nations Representative, Adrienne Alexanian initiated and
organized the workshop, a nine-month process involving weekly meetings,
extensive planning and networking with various individuals and groups.
Alexanian was also AGBU's representative on the DPI/NGO planning
committee and the conference reception committee.
"It is important that Armenian organizations get involved with
international institutions like the United Nations, and promote ideas
and issues important to our community," Alexanian said. "With my
continuing involvement with the United Nations, I am proud that we can
put together professional workshops that engage the world. I was also
very happy that as a member of the reception committee I was able to
promote HaiArt, an Armenian ensemble that played music by the Armenian
composer Gomidas during the opening reception in the Delegates' Dining
Room. The reaction to the music was tremendous and everyone became aware
that the well of Armenian music was so rich and moving."
The workshop drew a standing room crowd of educated activists and
concerned NGO representatives. The speakers were Jeff Masarjian,
Executive Director of the Armenia Tree Project (ATP), Sally Mackle of
Rotary International, and Heidi Kuhn, President and Founder of Roots of
Peace, an organization founded to continue Princess Diana's legacy of
landmine eradication. Adrienne Alexanian and her alternate, Hrag
Vartanian, moderated the event.
Masarjian's presentation included a discussion of the realities that
confronted a post-war Armenia, including landmines and the blockade, and
their impact on the environment. He went on to elaborate about ATP's
work at developing a sustainable countryside that is helped by an
ambitious program of tree planting and fruit drying projects. Now in its
tenth year, ATP has planted hundreds of thousands of trees and continues
to expand its programming.
Rotary International's project in Cambodia works with local village
residents to define their fields, purify their water, and provide them
with livestock for farming in the heavily-mined regions of Cambodia. The
country is home to some of the largest numbers of landmine victims and
they continue to struggle with the problem.
The final presentation by Roots of Peace founder and president, Heidi
Kuhn, outlined her work that builds on the former Princess of Wales'
vision of a mine-free world. As a result of a partnership with various
Californian wineries, Roots of Peace works in post-war countries, like
Afghanistan, to clear agricultural land of landmines and replant
vineyards that will rejuvenate the local economy. Featured on CNN, NBC
and ABC, Roots of Peace has garnered praised from UN Secretary General,
Kofi Annan, the US State Department and other prominent voices.
The presentations were followed by questions and interactive discussions
from an engaged audience that was well versed on landmine and
environmental issues.
Feedback from members of the NGO community pointed out the timely nature
of the topic and applauded the dissemination of information from experts
on these crucial initiatives to the international community.
A member of the UN NGO community since 1993, AGBU is the largest
Armenian non-profit organization in the world. The organization's
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs reach over 400,000
Armenians annually. For more information, visit AGBU online at
www.agbu.org.
Table of Contents:
1. Call for Papers – Environment and Security
2. One Bar of Gold, One Tone of Controversy
3. Strong Lari Leads to Calls for Energy Rate Reductions
4. Community Education Campaign in Regions
5. AGBU UN Workshop Targets an Issue Crucial to Armenia and other
Nations
1. CALL FOR PAPERS - ENVIRONMENT AND SECURITY
Dear colleagues!
As you probably know, CENN (Caucasus Environmental NGO Network) together
with Armenian and Azeri partners, is publishing quarterly regional
environmental magazine – “Caucasus Environment”, which has scientific,
educational, popular character.
(http://www.cenn.org/magazine_archive.html). The “Caucasus Environment”
is bilingual (English and Russian) publication. The aim of CENN is to
create an independent high quality publication on environmental issues -
a magazine that could educate, inspire and empower Caucasus citizens to
make a difference for the environment. The regional magazine covers not
only purely ecological matters, but also issues concerning the
environment as a whole. These include the natural environment, social
environment (the interconnection between the environment and poverty,
gender issues, demography, health, historical cultural heritage,
ethnography, archaeology, geopolitical issues, etc.), industry &
environment, agriculture, tourism, land use, cadastre and all types of
characteristics and peculiarities of the Caucasus region, defining
environment in a broad sense. The Magazine is distributed worldwide.
The coming issue of the "Caucasus Environment" Magazine is dedicated to
the ENVIRONMENT AND SECURITY of the Caucasus. Caucasus - meaning not
only Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also southern regions of
Russia, Iran and Turkey. We are looking for your articles, dedicated to
the following themes:
ENVIRONMENT AND SECURITY
Main Envsec problems of the Caucasus, especially problems having
transboundary character (rivers, water reservoirs, pollution etc.),
among them:
o Problems of natural environment (geodynamic processes: avalanches, mud
and land-slides, drought, seismic activity, etc.)
o Affect of global warming
o Pollution - water, air, soil, etc.
o Urban problems
o Deforestation, desertification
o Waste management
o Pipeline and other infrastructure safety
o Agriculture risk (irrigation, degradation of soil, irrational use of
water, GMO etc.)
o Refugees (environmental problems of refugees from conflict zones and
environmental refugees - due to Caspian Sea level rise etc.)
o Abandoned soviet stocks of weapon, military equipment
o Over use of ground waters and other resources
o Loss of biodiversity
o Nuclear and radiation safety
o Legislation on environment and security
o Civil society and security - advocacy, public movement etc.
o Economic aspects of environmental security
o Other issues related to environment and security
NOTE!
Due to large number of articles we receive for each issue, we have
worked out Rules of submission:
1. Preliminary letter of interest, describing theme of article and its
brief abstract should be submitted latest on 1 October 2004. Please,
submit your letters as early as possible, so that we have time to work
on the article! Articles and letters can be sent to the following
addresses: [email protected] [email protected] Letters and
articles can be sent in English and/or Russian language.
2. The article itself should be submitted latest on 15 October 2004. We
may not accept articles that are sent without preliminary notification
letter (1 October), or the articles that are sent after the final
deadline (15 October 2004).
3. Please note that generally we do not accept articles that were
already published (though there could be exceptions), we do not accept
statistical materials, or the articles that contain only well known
data.
4. The size of article should be maximum 2 pages (4 000 symbols), each
language.
5. Priority is given to the articles that are prepared by regional
efforts (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Caspian
States etc.). Priority is also given to the articles that contain
photos, are prepared in both languages (Russian and English).
6. Contact with authors: as the topics are finalized, we provide all
authors with edited and proved versions of their articles, and wait for
their approval for 3 working days. After this time, we have the right
either to use or reject the article on our own decision. On request of
an author, we can place his/her contact address, e-mail or phone in the
article. For NGOs, we can place advertisement of their production
(“green” products, juices, fruit, solar power etc.) with special price.
Contact us on e-mail or phone for details.
7. Please, let us know, if there is something you specially like/dislike
about our magazine, as we always look for better communication ways and
opportunities.
8. Become MEMBER OF THE CAUCASUS ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY AND GET OUR
MAGAZINE FREE OF CHARGE!!! For more information, please see
http://www.cenn.org/environment_society.html
9. We encourage all of you to send us your articles, as it is a best
chance to let the World know about your country, your activities, your
NGO and yourself! It is a good way to find reliable partners, friends,
donors, ideas, programs and – last not least – the most actual and
updated information about our common house – the Caucasus. We will be
happy to have articles not only from Caucasus – Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, but also articles provided by the
specialists and scientists interested in this region.
Looking forward to receive your feedback!
Catherine Nakashidze
Editor-in-Chief
CAUCASUS ENVIRONMENT Magazine
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network
Tel: +995 32 92 39 46
GSM: +995 99 51 67 09
Fax: +995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.cenn.org
2. ONE BAR OF GOLD, ONE TONE OF CONTROVERSY
Source: The Messenger, September 16, 2004
The activities of the joint stock company Madneuli were accompanied by
loud scandals during the Shevardnadze ear and the tradition continues
today.
Last week the director of Madneuli Vasil Tsotadze presented the
president of Georgia the first bar of gold produced in Georgia from gold
containing alloys. Almost simultaneously, however, 8 of 9 members of the
Board of Directors resigned, leading the deputy head of the
parliamentary economic policy committee Vazha Kiladze to declare that
the change of the Madneuli management has not resulted in a change of
the old, corrupt system.
Madneuli was not listed in Minister of Economy Bendukidze’s recent
privatization list, but the sensationalist paper Alia reports that
Madneuli may be sold soon – to the minister of economy himself.
The paper claims that the selling price has been set at USD 12 million,
which is regarded to be a very small sum for such a company and has been
described by Bendukidze himself as “absurd”.
The minister of economy does not question, however, that it is essential
the company should be privatized, Alia reports. According to him any
state owned company is a source of corruption.
The paper also reports that Bendukidzemay have a rival in former media
magnate Erosi Kintsmarishvili, who intends to try buy Madneuli. However,
Kintsmarishvili has not confirmed the information. There have been all
sorts of rumors regarding Kintsmarishvili’s business interests, and it
is difficult to determine which are true and false.
The current manager of Madneuli Vasil Tsotadze declares that he is not
against the privatization of the company, but is trying to show that
there has been progress in the company, as evidenced by the recent
production of a bar of gold.
In contrast with these statements of the general director, MP Kiladze
believes little has changed in Madneuli since the resignation of Zurab
Lobzhanidze, who managed the company during Shevardnadze’s period.
Although the company’s profits have risen, this is due to a rise in the
price of copper on the world market by USD 1, 000 (from 1,800 to 2,800).
The price of gold has also risen, from USD 300 to USD 400 per ounce. At
the same time, reports Khvalindeli Dghe, the cost of production at
Madneuli has sharply increased, from GEL 391 per tom of copper in 2000
to GEL 755 per ton day.
Kiladze claims that corruption is still at works at Madneuli. According
to him, Lobzhanidze, who is in exile, is now taking part in the
management of the company through his work at the Swedish company
Glencore International AG, which is a contractor of the Georgian
company. Kiladze says there is other evidence of corruption and has
called for the dismissal of the current director of the company.
3. STRONG LARI LEADS TO CALLS FOR ENERGY RATE REDUCTIONS
Source: The Messenger, September 16, 2004
There is growing concern among Georgians that despite the strengthening
of the lari, there has been no reduction in tariffs for electricity and
natural gas. Asked by a New Rights Opposition MP about the possibility
of a reduction in the electricity tariff, the chairmen of the Georgian
National Energy Regulatory Commission (GNERC) confirmed that none was
envisaged.
One kilowatt of electricity currently costs 12.4 tetri. This price was
fixed by GNERC on August 15,2003, when the lari rate against the dollar
was 2.11. Now 1 dollar buys approximately GEL 1.88, and this has led to
calls for a reduction of the price of electricity so as to provide
essential relief fir socially vulnerably sectors of the population.
GNERC Chairmen Gia Tavadze could only promise that the tariff would not
increase. He said that he was not yet sure how the GEL rate would affect
the electricity supply, particularly in winter, when Telasi will need to
import additional electricity.
The leader of the Right Wing Opposition David Gamkrelidze labeled
Tavadze’s statement as “blackmail of the population,” as reported in
both Khvalindeli Dge and 24 Saati.
While the GNERC stared it had no plans to reduce the electricity tariff,
it said it does plan to reduce the natural gas tariff by around two
tetri. It is envisaged that the Russian natural gas distribution company
Itera will reduce its tariffs but negotiations continue and the final
decision is yet to be announced.
The GNERC is designed to be an organization independent of the state and
it sets the tariffs twice a year in April and October.
4. COMMUNITY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN REGIONS
Starting from August 2004, the E-Armenia Foundation NGO initiated an
educational campaign within the framework of the E-Governance for
Territorial Administration project, implemented by UNDP, jointly with
the ROA Government. The project is aimed at increasing participation and
access to information on the regional level through creating web-based
e-governance systems hosted by regional administrations and the ROA
Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Coordination
(http://www.region.am/.) The goal of the E-Armenia NGO's project is to
raise public awareness on e-Governance and, in particular, on existing
regional web resources. The campaign components include: training
courses for specialists of Internet centers within Project Harmony
Armenia's School Connectivity Program, distribution of printed manuals
on usage of regional web sites; a series of workshops and discussions
with different sectors in communities; public awareness campaign using
local media, and distribution of printed promotional materials,
including posters and fact sheets.
Campaigns already have been conducted in three towns of Shirak region
and two towns of Kotayk region. The campaign will conclude in December
2004. All are invited to cooperate within the Community Education
Campaign.
Contact: E-Armenia Foundation
17 Charents St., 2nd floor
Tel.: (374-1) 57-02-60
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.e-armenia.am
5. AGBU UN WORKSHOP TARGETS AN ISSUE CRUCIAL TO ARMENIA AND OTHER
NATIONS
AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
New York - On Wednesday, September 8, 2004, AGBU brought together some
of the leading voices in landmine eradication and environmental issues
at the largest gathering of non-governmental organizations in the world
- the United Nation's 57th Annual DPI/NGO Conference in Manhattan
entitled "Millennium Development Goals: Civil Society Takes Action."
Entitled, "Overcoming Obstacles to Economic Growth & Community
Development: The Role of Civil Society," the AGBU workshop, attended by
Peggy Kerry - sister of Presidential candidate John Kerry and NGO
liaison to the US Mission of the United Nations – and an audience of
international NGO representatives, invited speakers to discuss their
grassroots projects in Afghanistan, Armenia and Cambodia that help
rehabilitate post-war societies through demining, tree planting and
other infrastructure-based initiatives.
AGBU United Nations Representative, Adrienne Alexanian initiated and
organized the workshop, a nine-month process involving weekly meetings,
extensive planning and networking with various individuals and groups.
Alexanian was also AGBU's representative on the DPI/NGO planning
committee and the conference reception committee.
"It is important that Armenian organizations get involved with
international institutions like the United Nations, and promote ideas
and issues important to our community," Alexanian said. "With my
continuing involvement with the United Nations, I am proud that we can
put together professional workshops that engage the world. I was also
very happy that as a member of the reception committee I was able to
promote HaiArt, an Armenian ensemble that played music by the Armenian
composer Gomidas during the opening reception in the Delegates' Dining
Room. The reaction to the music was tremendous and everyone became aware
that the well of Armenian music was so rich and moving."
The workshop drew a standing room crowd of educated activists and
concerned NGO representatives. The speakers were Jeff Masarjian,
Executive Director of the Armenia Tree Project (ATP), Sally Mackle of
Rotary International, and Heidi Kuhn, President and Founder of Roots of
Peace, an organization founded to continue Princess Diana's legacy of
landmine eradication. Adrienne Alexanian and her alternate, Hrag
Vartanian, moderated the event.
Masarjian's presentation included a discussion of the realities that
confronted a post-war Armenia, including landmines and the blockade, and
their impact on the environment. He went on to elaborate about ATP's
work at developing a sustainable countryside that is helped by an
ambitious program of tree planting and fruit drying projects. Now in its
tenth year, ATP has planted hundreds of thousands of trees and continues
to expand its programming.
Rotary International's project in Cambodia works with local village
residents to define their fields, purify their water, and provide them
with livestock for farming in the heavily-mined regions of Cambodia. The
country is home to some of the largest numbers of landmine victims and
they continue to struggle with the problem.
The final presentation by Roots of Peace founder and president, Heidi
Kuhn, outlined her work that builds on the former Princess of Wales'
vision of a mine-free world. As a result of a partnership with various
Californian wineries, Roots of Peace works in post-war countries, like
Afghanistan, to clear agricultural land of landmines and replant
vineyards that will rejuvenate the local economy. Featured on CNN, NBC
and ABC, Roots of Peace has garnered praised from UN Secretary General,
Kofi Annan, the US State Department and other prominent voices.
The presentations were followed by questions and interactive discussions
from an engaged audience that was well versed on landmine and
environmental issues.
Feedback from members of the NGO community pointed out the timely nature
of the topic and applauded the dissemination of information from experts
on these crucial initiatives to the international community.
A member of the UN NGO community since 1993, AGBU is the largest
Armenian non-profit organization in the world. The organization's
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs reach over 400,000
Armenians annually. For more information, visit AGBU online at
www.agbu.org.