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iminution of Unemployment As a Step Towards Poverty Reduction
In the framework of previous projects run by NGO Center 835 non-governmental organizations were registered with the NGOC during 1994-2000. Hereunder you will find the list of these NGOs presented by sectors (extracted from NGOC database) and can download it. The list is in PDFformat. To view PDF files download the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Armenian Version
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CFTC - a regional project of Canadian Feed The Children (CFTC) organization titled Nurturing NGO Development and Peaceful Co-Existence in the South Caucasus aims at increasing through training the effectiveness of local NGOs in addressing the needs of women and children. CANADIAN FEED THE CHILDREN: CAPACITY BUIDING IN THE CAUCASUS "Nurturing NGO Development and Peaceful Co-Existence in the South Caucasus" is the title of a regional project initiated by Canadian Feed The Children (CFTC) in the Caucasus region, through funding from Canadian International Development Agency and CFTC donors.
Launched in April 2000, the project runs through March 2003 and is being implemented concurrently in the three South Caucasus countries - Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. The project provides training to local non-profit organizations to increase their effectiveness in addressing the needs of women and children (the Armenian partner NGO is "Meghvik" Children and Youth Educational Center). This training includes in-country workshops (in Armenia they are designed and implemented by the AAA NGOC) and discussion groups, as well as a study tour to Canada and internships in Canadian organizations. CFTC also helps local organizations develop long-term income generation strategies and identify new sources of funding. This enables the NGOs to sustain their programs over time, by helping them to become more self-sufficient. CFTC supports projects that meet the immediate basic needs of women and children through targeted humanitarian assistance. Canadian Feed The Children also provides funding for a number of peace-building initiatives, including "peace camps" which bring together children from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. These camps teach children tolerance for their neighbors by instilling the values of sharing, cooperation and mutual understanding. The "Nurturing NGO Development and Peaceful Co-Existence in the South Caucasus" project is implemented in partnership with training organizations in each of the three countries: ISAR - Azerbaijan's NGO Resource and Training Center (Azerbaijan), "Horizonti" Foundation for the Third Sector (Georgia), and the AAA's NGO Training and Resource Center (Armenia). The Eurasia foundation-AAA NGOC:LIBRARIES AS CIVIC COMMUNICATION CENTERS Since October 2001, the AAA NGOC is partnering with the Eurasia Foundation to implement a project titled “Libraries as Civic Communication Centers”, aimed at contributing to Armenia’s development as a strong civil society and democratic state through the creation of community information networks to foster communication among members of a community and between citizens and their local governments. Through this project the AAA NGOC is striving to:
Direct beneficiaries of the project are:
Indirect beneficiaries are the public at large, in particular, local non-profit organizations, local government, community groups, students, others. The strategies adopted to meet the objectives are:
The anticipated end results of this one-year initiative are:
As of May 2002, all the staff members from the selected six libraries participated in a training program at the NGO Center. Further, intensive on-site consultancy and technical assistance was provided to the selected libraries in five regions of Armenia. INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ARMENIAN CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT-PROTECTIVE CENTRE Starting from August 2002, the Armenian Assembly of America Non-Governmental Organizations Training and Resource Center (AAA NGOC) implements a new project funded by the Catholic Organization for Relief and Development (CORDAID, the Netherlands). The goal of the project is to contribute to the empowerment of the Armenian Constitutional Right-Protective Centre (ACRPC) towards its more effective involvement in human rights education. In December 2001, the AAA NGO Center carried out an institutional assessment of ACRPC: seven members of the NGO and two US Peace Corps volunteers working intensively with the organization over a year were interviewed through a survey form designed by the NGOC Analyst/Researcher.
Based on the results obtained, AAA NGOC has designed a project aimed at:
We anticipate achieving the following results: Improved human resource management skills and systems; Improved assessment, decision making and evaluation as organizational processes; Improved public relations skills and mechanisms; Improved fundraising management capacity and mechanisms. The project will end in May 2003. AED/ARD – START Project
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Since 1997 up to 2001, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Armenia (UNHCR/Armenia) and Armenian Assembly of America’s NGO Training and Resource Center (AAA NGOC) cooperate towards strengthening of local NGOs that deal with social and protection needs of refugees, asylum seekers and those who are acquiring citizenship. PRESS RELEASE August 20 2003 As decided during the session of Vanadzor community local self-governing body, within the framework of the community leader’s voluntary responsibilities prescribed by the Law, approved was the Social Partnership Regulation Between NCOs (Non-Commercial Organizations) and State Structures, presented by the Husatu Social Benevolent NGO. By this decision, appropriate funds will be envisioned in the community budget for the year 2004 to bring the regulation into life. The goal of the Vanadzor-based Husatu NGO’s project was to raise the role of NCOs (NGOs, Foundations, Unions of Legal Entities) and local self-governing bodies in solving social problems. The developed regulation is based on a conception directed at solving primary social problems by NCOs with financial assistance of local self-governing bodies. The regulation has been discussed in a series of seminars with the participation of NGOs, local self-governing and state governing bodies, international organizations and target groups. After consideration of their suggestions, the regulation was forwarded to the local self-governing body. The project results can be used for social partnership regulation in the Lori region and in other regions of the republic. The project is implemented within the framework of the AAA NGO Center’s Grants Program to Improve the Legislative and Regulatory Framework Related to Primary Healthcare and Social Security through USAID funds. PRESS RELEASE PRESENTATION AT THE AAA NGO CENTER YEREVAN, Armenia - December 17th 2002 Armenian Assembly of America Non-Governmental Organizations Training and Resource Center (AAA NGO Center) hosted a presentation of survey results “Overall Picture of NGOs Delivering Social and Primary Health Care Services” conducted by the “Akunk” Center for Ethno-Sociological Studies Non-Governmental Organization. PRESS RELEASE AAA NGO CENTER FOCAL POINT OPENED IN VANADZOR In November 2002 the Armenian Assembly of America Non-Governmental Organizations Training and Resource Center (AAA NGO Center) launched a Focal Point in Vanadzor, Lori region. The activities and efforts of the Focal Point are aimed at strengthening local communities by the means of revealing their capacities, mobilizing local resources and involving the community members into the process of resolving the existing problems. In the framework of the Community Development Program the AAA NGO Center initiated a survey of households in two communities of Vanadzor in order to detect community needs, existing high-priority problems and local human resources, and possible recommendations, to reveal the acknowledged authoritative individuals, levels of social activeness of community members, as well as of the mutual trust, information sharing and collaboration between community members and the local authorities. Based on the results of the survey and consecutive community discussions, winners of the competitions among local non-for-profit institutions will implement projects to resolve the detected community problems. The NGOC regional trainer together with Yerevan Center staff will provide the following services to the communities in Vanadzor: Management training on Community Development, NGOs’ Role in Civil Society, Human Rights, NGO Legislation, How to Write a Proposal and other topics; Consultancy on legislative and other issues; Open dialogue – issue-specific meetings, discussions with all stakeholders; Grants to community associations for community development purposes. For further information please contact Arpine Hakobyan, AAA NGO Center Trainer/Focal Point in Vanadzor – address: 25, Vardanants str., tel.: (051) 4 33 15, e-mail: vanadzor@ngoc.am. NGO Training and Resource Center is a program of the Armenian Assembly of America, funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID). The aim of the program is to support non-profit organizations providing social and/or primary health care services and information, as well as to contribute to the community development activities in the Earthquake Zone. PRESS RELEASE AAA NGO CENTER AWARDED GRANTS TO IMPROVE LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN ARMENIA PRESS RELEASE The projects have started in October 2002 and will end in January 2003. Among various services rendered to NGOs, the NGOC had also initiated and implemented a number of projects such as publication of Training Handbook Series, TV project, production of documentary, NGO Newsletter and NGO News in Brief. Below is the description of those.
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The goal of the project was to provide a print resource for Armenian NGO development. The Series was comprised of 10 handbooks covering key topics for NGO development. The NGO Management and Leadership Core Training conducted by the Center for indigenous NGOs served as a basis for the Handbooks. The goal of the NGO Management and Leadership Core Training was to develop internal capacity of NGOs. There is an abundance of literature for NGO development but most of it is in English and is not completely applicable for local context. This limits the number of NGOs that could utilize the information. The Training Handbook Series was designed considering both the international experience in the sphere of NGO development and the Armenian context. Another interesting aspect of the Series was the inclusion of success stories that feature accomplishments of different NGOs registered with the Center. The handbooks are available in two languages: English and Armenian. The Series includes the following volumes:
The NGOC Newsletter was published as a promotional instrument and a source of information. Its regular captions such as Meet Our NGOs, Our International Friends, What's new at the NGO Center? reported on happenings that took place at our Center, highlighted NGOs' endeavors at sustainability, introduced the international organizations activities in Armenia. Each issue of this outlet reflected a new stage of development of the Armenian NGO community. The first pages usually were devoted to major events - conferences, legislative initiatives, meetings, etc. - referring the whole sector. 14 issues were published and widely disseminated.
NGOC TV project has been designed as a medium-term powerful promotional undertaking and aimed at familiarizing public at large with the most viable NGOs of Armenia. The project encompassed eight video films each unraveling a specific problem challenging our society. Rehabilitation, Social Services, Education, Culture, Housing, Environment, Legal Awareness - these were the pivot issues revealed in the series. The videofilms introduced about 25 proficient NGOs in the mentioned spheres that had already caused positive changes in public life. A special emphasis was made on projects that the NGOs implemented in outlying regions. The series named The Third Power was prefaced by an introductory film, which gave the big picture of the NGOs in both international and local context. It provided answers to basic questions such as "What are NGOs?" and "Why are they needed?" The experience of outstanding international privates was represented. In this range the history of Armenian traditional PVOs as well as brief profiles on Armenian benefactors were introduced. The series representes a range of eight films: The Third Power (26min.)
"Armenian NGO News in Brief", Volume I was an electronic newsletter issued in Armenian, Russian and English languages for dissemination inside and outside Armenia. It provided coverage of Armenian NGO specific initiatives, partnership programs and dialogue events to support awareness of Armenian civic sector initiatives and promote in-country and cross-border cooperation between development players. The latest issue was 30 (July 3, 2000).
The objective of the NGOC/UNHCR Small Grants Program was to support local indigenous NGOs through providing grants intended to prop up small-scale projects, infrastructure of local NGOs and NGO capacity-building initiatives. The ultimate objective of the Small Grants Program was to enhance the cooperation of UNHCR and the local NGO sector in the implementation of the CIS Conference Program of Action* (CIS Conference on Migration, Geneva, May 30-31, 1996) and to promote the development of an indigenous NGO sector.
* The Conference adopted a comprehensive action plan for management and prevention of involuntary displacement. The conference called upon the United Nations High Commissioner to implement the Program of Action of the Conference in Cooperation with the International Organization for Migration and the OSCE . Among other recommendations given to the High Commissioner, it was also requested to promote and support the involvement of NGOs in the Implementation of the Conference agenda.
Starting from 1998, UNHCR Armenia Office and AAA NGOC (Armenian Assembly of America NGO Training and Resource Center) continued their local NGO development cooperation effort within the framework of NGO Capacity Building Program for local NGOs dealing with diverse issues of refugee population in Armenia. The program designed and implemented by the AAA NGOC through funding support of UNHCR aimed at developing organizational and institutional capacities of local NGOs. The program was comprised of the following components:
From 1997 through 2000 the NGO Center has co-operated with UNHCR to implement projects focusing on capacity building of a core group of local Armenian NGOs that deal with social and protection needs of asylum seekers and refugees. The UNHCR/NGOC "Small Grants Program" implemented in 1997 and the UNHCR/NGOC "NGO Capacity Building Programs 1 & 2" ultimately pursued the goal of strengthening the institutional capacities of those local Armenian NGOs that will eventually take over the management of refugee-related matters in Armenia. The specific objectives of the AAA NGO Center and UNHCR Armenia office cooperation could be summarized as follows:
UNHCR/NGOC "NGO Capacity Building Program-2" was a multi-component program with incorporated elements of training, direct funding support and NGO-Government dialogue. Implementation of the small grants projects proposed by the participant NGOs commenced on August 1, 1998 and lasted through November 30,1999.
The NGO Training and Resource Center / UNHCR joint programs focusing on capacity building of local NGOs dealing with refugee issues lasted four years. From 1997 through 1999, the NGO Center worked directly with 14 local NGOs by assisting them in organizational capacity building issues. Most of the selected NGOs were Yerevan-based. In contrast, the "NGO Capacity Building Program-3" specifically targeted only region-based NGOs with the aim of increasing their effectiveness in responding to the social and protection needs of asylum seekers and those wanting to receive citizenship. The project duration was April-December, 2000. The objectives of the project were:
The project included the following phases:
The project encompassed the following regions (marzes) and towns of Armenia: Ararat marz (town Masis); Gegharkunik marz (towns Gavar, Vardenis, Sevan, Martuni); Vayots Dzor marz (towns Yeghegnadzor and Vayk).
From 1997 to 2001, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Armenia (UNHCR/Armenia) and Armenian Assembly of America's NGO Training and Resource Center (AAA NGOC) have worked towards strengthening local NGOs that deal with social and protection needs of asylum seekers, refugees and those who are acquiring citizenship. Five programs have been implemented so far with a focus on management training, strategic planning consultancies, open dialogue program and funding for programmatic and capacity building purposes.
In November 1999, the NGO Training and Resource Center implemented the "Fundraising Training for Georgian NGOs" project in cooperation with the Kutaisi-based Charity Humanitarian Center "Abkhazeti" (CHCA). The Program was initiated by the Academy for Educational Development / Georgia. Implementation was made possible through funding provided by the USAID. |
Instructions on Safe Usage of Medicine - February 28
Welcome to the Handbook Series 
"Allegiance", a separate film was produced in 1999. 
The program aimed at strengthening the fundraising capacities of Georgian NGOs, improving their effectiveness by increasing their understanding of planning, implementation and monitoring of fundraising activities, and enhancing basic marketing and financial management skills. The following objectives were defined to be met in order to achieve the above stated goals:
The training program was a combination of theory and practice. This format was effective in increasing the participants' understanding of NGO mission marketing for fundraising purposes, the larger context of funding, the concept of fundraising, fundraising strategies and vehicles. The training course was conducted in five different locations. AAA NGOC and CHCA trainers worked together to jointly deliver the course in Gurjaani, Tbilisi and Batumi. Similar sessions were conducted in Gori and Borjomi by CHCA trainers. The total number of training participants was 74. The interaction between all parties involved in the training was mutually beneficial in terms of sharing experiences, acquiring knowledge and skills in the subject matter, and promoting linkages between them.  |
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Events |
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Diminution of Unemployment As a Step Towards Poverty Reduction
This was the topic of the thematic NGO/Media Encounter, hosted by the Armenian Assembly of America’s NGO Training and Resource Center (AAA NGOC) on November 4. The goal of the encounter was to draw the public attention at Armenian NGO activities aimed at diminishing unemployment, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable groups of the population – refugees and disabled people: their vocational training, professional development and creation of jobs for them.
The presenters during the event were Gayane Kanayan of the Galik Employment Assistance NGO and Gayane Khachatryan of the Areguni Social Development NGO.
The initiatives directed at solving the employment issue and involvement of the disabled were outlined in the presentation made by Galik NGO representative. Namely:
- Organization of a “Vacancy Fair”, presentation of 5.000 job vacancies and provision of consultancy services;
- Development of a database on disabled citizens and organization of relevant training to ensure participation of 24 disabled people in competitions for civil service jobs.
The Areguni NGO, presenting the Tchambarak experience for unemployment reduction among refugees, spoke about their efforts of identifying and revealing low-cost local resources for solving the unemployment problem, thus creating workplaces suitable for local climatic conditions and insufficient human resources of refugees in the region. As a result,
- 21 lonely mothers and 75 refugee families were provided with beekeeping opportunity.
- Almost 300 refugees and internally displaced people have been receiving free technical and other assistance since 2001, which resulted in an increased number of beekeepers in the region. Their number is gradually growing.
- 500 small and medium rural economies were involved in training programs and received technical assistance on setting up and managing agricultural farms, which will ensure their sustainable and profitable jobs;
- In cooperation with the Armen-Karpet OJSC and the International Organization for Migration (UN), the NGO initiated a project to process and market 30 tones of wool available at the region, with a vision of creating a sustainable market for 8.000 sheep farmers’ products and plenty of workplaces in the region.
The following concerns and suggestions were voiced during the meeting:
- To-date, 7.700 people have participated in civil service job competitions: no single disabled - among them;
- NGO efforts of creating workforce and workplaces are very often in vain because economic structures face problem of sustainability;
- NGOs can introduce their suggestions to the PRSP independent expert group, that makes amendments related to employment issues;
- Create workplaces for the handicapped people appropriate to their physical capacities and psychological needs;
- Provide the handicapped people with benefits to create workplaces and set up enterprises.
NGOs dealing with unemployment issues, representatives of media outlets, as well as foundations, international organizations and state structures were invited to the roundtable.
Right after the event, the participants were provided with print information on relevant potential donors and partners acting overseas, as well as issue-specific upcoming conferences. The materials can be downloaded here.
For thematic details contact:
Gayane Kanayan
Galik Employment Assistance NGO
Tel.: (374-1) 56-90-34; 25-40-95
E-mail: amamas@mail.ru
Gayane Khachatryan
Areguni Social Development NGO
Tel.: (374-65) 2-37-89; 2-24-70
E-mail: aregunigajane@rambler.ru
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NGO Involvement In Community Development Issues
On September 29, the Armenian Assembly of America’s NGO Training and Resource Center hosted its regular Thematic NGO/Media Encounter devoted to NGO Involvement in Community Development issues.
The goal of the encounter was to draw public attention on NGO activities carried out in communities.
Karen Arakelyan of the Support to Communities NGO presented the project Health Issues in Communities: Poverty Reduction. As an outcome of the project, treatment and health monitoring opportunities contributing to the betterment of community population’s health conditions have been created in a number of communities in Armenia. Thus, periodic donations by 40% of community members result in satisfaction of medication needs of the population. Successful was the training course for local nurses, that enabled them to rapidly respond to urgent health issues in communities. The idea to ensure state co-funding to sustain the successes and achievements of similar activities on the community level was voiced by the speaker.
Natalia Martirossyan of the Armenian Committee of Helsinki Citizens Assembly NGO told about the Working Together – Building Community Connections project by stating that discussions organized in ten communities of the republic revealed the population’s need for understanding the role and functions of local self-governing bodies. The project aimed at promoting dialogue between local authorities and community members, increasing public participation to solve local problems and finding ways of cooperation, though the population is not yet viewing local self-governing bodies as partners. Factors hindering cooperation were revealed and analyzed, ways to overcome those and action plans were suggested within the framework of project implementation.
The Women’s Participation In Water Resources Management project, presented by Inessa Gabayan (All Armenian Women’s Union NGO), aimed at ensuring women’s participation in water resources management processes through dissemination of knowledge on economic and legal aspects of water usage. Serious steps have been undertaken in some communities with regards to women’s social activeness and involvement in local governing structures.
Ashot Tserunyan, the president of Charentsavan Community Support Center NGO, briefed on the organization’s training and awareness raising activities to ensure competitiveness of the unemployed in the labor market. There have been considerable results in Charentsavan – a city, where the NGO sector is making its first steps. In the result of the education project implemented by the NGO, more than half of the training participants got jobs. The NGO’s efforts to provide basic computer literacy and access to Internet have resulted in increased vivacity among all sectors.
The Mass Media representatives present at the meeting raised the issue of altering the strategy on NGO-Mass Media relations: the suggestion was to involve reporters from both news, and thematic editorial departments of media outlets in highlighting the third sector activities, as well as engage local journalists, as community members, in community programs.
Right after the roundtable, the participants were provided with print information on potential donors and partners acting overseas in the field of community development, as well as application forms of issue-related upcoming conferences. The materials can be downloaded here.
Present at the event were representatives of NGOs implementing community projects, Mass Media, as well as foundations, international organizations and local self-governing bodies.
For thematic issues contact:
Karen Arakelyan
Support to Communities NGO
E-mail: fund_stc@netsys.am
Natalia Martirossyan
Armenian Committee of Helsinki Citizens Assembly NGO
E-mail: hca@netsys.am
Inessa Gabayan
All Armenian Women’s Union NGO
E-mail: Inessa_gabayan@yahoo.com
Ashot Tserunyan
Charentsavan Community Support Center NGO
E-mail: ccsc@web.am
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Refugee Problems Within the Eyeshot of NGOs
On June 24, the Armenian Assembly of America’s NGO Training and Resource Center hosted its regular Thematic NGO/Media encounter devoted to the World Refugee Day. The goal of the encounter was to once again draw the public attention at the problems of refugees living in Armenia, particularly their legal and social protection and information exchange with their acquaintances in the left residencies. Greta Mirzoyan of the Zinvori Mair (Soldier’s Mother) Republican Committee NGO and Robert Melik-Pashaev of the Back to Hayk NGO made presentations on Hope Mail Service Between Neighbors and Equal Rights – Equal Opportunities projects respectively. The spokespersons presented motives for initiating these projects and the possible impact on the social adaptation of the Transcaucasus refugees.
The Zinvori Mair NGO presented the regional Hope Mail Service project, being implemented jointly with the Union of Humanitarian Research of Azerbaijan. The NGOs strive to re-establish former amicable links between refugees in both states, help them exchange information via letters, thus contributing to psychological contiguity of refugees on both ends and overcoming the endured psychological crisis. Considering the current political tension, the authors of the project are convinced, that NGO regional cooperation is a way for people of both countries to make steps forward towards each other.
During the encounter, presented was the Equal Rights – Equal Opportunities project, implemented jointly by the Back to Hayk and the Armenian Refugee Supporting League NGOs. The project aims at full integration of refugees into the society through the restoration of their lost documents. Over 100 refugees have already applied for restoring work-books, educational certificates, certificates of marriage and other documents. The Armenian NGOs implement the project in cooperation with NGOs from Azerbaijan. The Armenian counterparts have already started the search for documents of Azerbaijanians who used to live in Spitak and Stepanakert.
During the event, Ms. L. Aslanyan, Deputy Chairwoman of the Department of Migration and Refugees (DMR) with the ROA Government, greatly appreciated the specific activities by NGOs, emphasized, that for political and other reasons the ways and methods exercised by NGOs are inaccessible for the authorities. It has also been mentioned, that supporting NGOs has recently become one of the DMR’s activity directions.
Refugee NGOs and representatives of media, foundations, international organizations and state structures participated in the roundtable.
Right after the event, the participants were provided with print information on potential donors and partners acting overseas and dealing with refugee issues, as well as application forms of upcoming conferences. The materials can be downloaded here.(287Kb, zip file)
For thematic details contact:
Greta Mirzoyan
Zinvori Mair Republican Committee NGO
E-mail: armgreta@arminco.com
Robert Melik-Pashaev
Back to Hayk NGO
E-mail: migration@dolphin.am
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Healthy Lifestyle in NGO Programs
On May 26, the Armenian Assembly of America’s NGO Training and Resource Center hosted its regular Thematic NGO/Media encounter devoted to Healthy Lifestyle in NGO Programs. During the encounter, Mary Khachikyan of the For Family and Health Armenian Association NGO, Narek Zeinalyan of the Adam Youth Health NGO and Karine Manukyan of the Women for Green Ways for Generations NGO made presentations on Sexual Culture, Smoking Hazards and Prevention, as well as Food Safety and Nutrition Culture respectivley.
The spokespersons presented their activities in the mentioned fields, shared successes, demonstrated to and disseminated among the participants samples of publications, as well as answered questions from the audience. In their presentations, they also emphasized the following critical problems:
- Increased maternity and child mortality, secondary infertility and STD index;
- Increased number of pregnancies and STDs among juveniles;
- 262 HIV infected people, officially recorded in Armenia between 1988-2004: 80% are people aged 20-39;
- Abortion, as a major contraceptive method in Armenia;
- Insufficient level of public awareness on sexuality, sexual and reproductive health and rights;
- Poor quality and inaccessibility of relevant prophylactic services;
- Increased number of reproductive system diseases, early ageing and allergies connected with ongoing contamination of the environment;
- Rejuvenescence of diseases and emerging of new ones;
- Improper legislative framework and public policy on environment and health in Armenia;
- Inadequate public awareness on the relation between environment and health, and lack of awareness on some other issues;
- 100% of passive smokers in ROA;
- High percentage of active smokers among schoolchildren;
- Lack of consciousness among active smokers and public at large on smoking hazards and the necessity to get involved in preventive activities.
- The fact of refuting the Law on Smoking by the Legislative Body for the second time;
- Discrepancies in volume and methods practices by NGOs while carrying out enlightening activities on Healthy Lifestyle at schools;
- Lack of state educational concept aimed at forming healthy lifestyle (topics, syllabus, teaching tools and methods for different levels of secondary school.
The NGOs suggested the following solutions to the mentioned problems:
- Active participation and engagement of NGOs in improving legislative framework and public policy;
- Introduction of sexual education in educational system – development of guidebooks and handbooks, teacher training;
- Development of a Healthy Lifestyle state educational concept, curriculum and syllabus, as well as involvement of relevant professionals and NGOs experienced in the field in the process of developing the abovementioned;
- Building an appropriate public attitude towards sexual life culture;
- Raising population’s awareness on the direct link between and their right for health and living environment, quality of food & water, healthy lifestyle;
Right after the roundtable, the participants were provided with print information on potential donors and partners overseas in the field of healthy lifestyle, as well as application forms of upcoming conferences and requests for applications. To download the materials click here.
For thematic details contact:
Mary Khachikyan of the For Family and Health" Armenian Association NGO
E-mail: armfha@netsys.am
Narek Zeinalyan of the Adam Youth Health NGO
E-mail: zeinalian_narek@yahoo.com
Karine Manoukyan of the Women for Green Ways for Generations NGO
E-mail: wgwg@wgwg.am
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NGOs in Reforms within Armenia’s Healthcare System
On April 6, 2004 Armenian Assembly of America’s NGO Training and Resource Center hosted the NGOs in Reforms within Armenia’s Healthcare System NGO/Media thematic roundtable discussion. Participating in the event were healthcare NGOs, foundations and unions of legal entities, international organizations, as well as representatives of media and state structures.
During the roundtable, Samvel Hovannissyan of the Armenian Association of Family Physicians NGO, David Petrosyan of the Human Health Humanitarian Fund, Irina Ghazaryan of the Drug Utilization Research Group NGO and Melita Hakobyan of the Anna National Association of Consumers NGO made presentations on the following topics respectively: Role of NGOs in Provision of Healthcare Services, the Right to Free Medical Service, Patients Rights, Problems in the Sphere of Medicaments Usage, as well as on Collaboration of NGO-State-Business sectors in Solving These Essential Problems.
In their presentations, the speaker NGOs outlined the following issues of concern related to healthcare system reform in Armenia:
- Within the reform framework, public policies lack the “how to do” section versus the dominating “what to do?” steps;
- The expertise of NGOs represented by healthcare professionals is not utilized by the state to their full capacities;
- The legal framework regulating medicaments usage is far from being ideal;
- There has been lack of knowledge reported among those prescribing, providing and using medications;
- Laws ensuring free medical service are vaguely formulated, thus leading to miscomprehension both by practitioners and patients;
- The system of benefits ensuring free medical service provision is not functional, thus resulting in manifestation of new forms of corruption.
- Lack of contractual relationship between patients and healthcare establishments hinders the reform process.
The following suggestions were made by the NGOs during the meeting:
- Systemic changes are required to ensure NGO involvement in healthcare reforms. Agreement should be reached to allow NGO participation and involvement in policy development and reform processes;
- Regulations for discussing suggestions made by an NGO or a group of NGOs should be developed;
- Based on the principle of multi-sectoral partnership, NGOs should be involved in public education and awareness raising processes.
As noted by Armen Muradyan, advisor to the Minister of Health, there is room for NGOs to get involved in healthcare system reform in the Republic. The NGOs can:
- First of all participate in expert studies and invest their efforts into the elaboration of standards;
- Raise consumers’, healthcare professionals’ and healthcare establishments’ awareness based on the principle of right-responsibility tandem.
Prioritizing the role of Mass Media, a suggestion was made to be “both competent and popular” while covering the reform process through the outlets highlighting reform processes.”
Right after the roundtable, the participants were provided with print information on potential donors and partners acting overseas in the field of health, as well as application forms of upcoming conferences and requests for applications. The materials can be downloaded here.
For more information contact:
Armenian Association of Family Physicians NGO
Samvel Hovannissyan
Tel.: (374-1) 23-48-51; 23-48-62
E-mail: f-fammedic@nih.sci.am
Human Health Humanitarian Fund NGO
David Petrosyan
Tel.: (374-1) 56-65-21; (374-9) 43-71-58
E-mail: healthhuman@ngoc.am
Drug Utilization Research Group NGO
Irina Ghazaryan
Tel.: (374-1) 56-65-51; (374-9) 42-72-46
E-mail: durg@mail.ru
Anna National Association of Consumers NGO
Melita Hakobyan
Tel: (374-1) 24-92-04; 52-04-40; (374-9) 47-05-79
E-mail: anna_cna@infocom.am
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NGO/Mass Media Encounter Devoted To Problems Of Violence Towards Women And Children
On December 3, AAA NGO Training and Resource Center (AAA NGOC) hosted its second Thematic NGO/Media Encounter entitled NGOs Against Violence Towards Women and Children.
The event was organized within the framework and in support of “Caucasus 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” campaign. In 1989, 14 Canadian female students were murdered because they were trained to become engineers. This brutal act triggered the creation of two end-violence global campaigns: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence and the White Ribbon Campaign – a unique initiative by Canadian men. Since 1991, over 1000 organizations in more than 100 countries have participated in the annual global campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, that calls for the limination of all forms of violence against women. In 2001 the two global campaigns were promoted throughout South Caucasus.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence runs from 25th November to 10th December and highlights the following:
- November 25, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women;
- December 1, World AIDS Day;
- December 6, the anniversary of the 1991 Montreal Massacre;
- December 10, the International Human Rights Day.
Participants of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence-Armenia are more than 30 NGOs working on women and human rights issues.
During December 3 encounter, representatives of Akunk Center for Ethno-sociological Studies NGO, Maternity Fund of Armenia Charitable NGO, Women for Green Way for Generations NGO, Hope and Help NGO, Family and the New World Family Support Center NGO spoke on traditional and national aspects of violence towards women and children, some peculiarities in the region, including activities directed at family violence and trafficking. Current problems were discussed and suggestions were made for solution.
The event was attended by NGOs, Mass Media, as well as representatives of state and international organizations dealing with human rights and women’s issues.
For thematic details contact:
Mihran Galstyan, “Akunk” Center for Ethno-sociological Studies NGO (setako@arminco.com)
Susanna Aslanyan, "Maternity Fund of Armenia" Charitable NGO (maternity@ngoc.am)
Karine Manukyan, "Women for Green Way for Generations" NGO (zmanuk@arminco.com)
Nora Mnatsakanyan, "Hope and Help" NGO (hopehelp@ngoc.am)
Julieta Ter-Martirosova, "Family and the New World" Family Support Center" (fnwab@yandex.ru)
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“The Disabled Children as Beneficiaries of the NGO Sector”
On November 19 at the Armenian Assembly of America’s NGO Training and Resource Center (AAA NGOC) took place the First Thematic NGO/Media Encounter. The encounter was devoted to the disability rights, professional orientation, education and health, and titled “The Disabled Children as Beneficiaries of the NGO Sector”.
NGO/Media thematic encounters initiated by the AAA NGOC aim at raising public awareness on diverse problems Armenian Social/Health NGOs are working on, NGO sector activities to address the problems and constraints while working towards the solution of those.
Six NGOs working on disabled issues were selected to make a presentation:
Health issues:
Asya Khachatryan, “Union of Doctors and Engineers” (UDE) NGO
Armine Nikoghosyan, Giumry Branch of Armenian Association for the Disabled "Pyunic" (Giumry)
Education:
Souren Ohanyan, "PAROS" Disabled Center for Development of Education and Culture" NGO
Tamara Manukyan, Public Organization of Hard Hearing Children's Mothers "Havat"
Rights Protection:
Nune Pepanyan, "Lusastgh" Charitable Society" NGO (Vanadzor)
Professional Orientation:
Marietta Danaghulyan, "Heart of Hope" Of Mentally Disabled's Mothers NGO
The event was attended by NGOs, Mass Media, as well as representatives of state and international organizations.
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