The problems are many in Armenia, but the systematic solutions are few. At today’s meeting in the RA Ministry of Scence and education, Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project Manager said that in the scope of the new EU funded project the problems in our country would be systematized and actual solutions offered. “Today we all know that there are various objective and subjective problems in all sectors, but it is necessary to coordinate, systematize and offer comprehensive solutions as well,” Mr. Zadoyan said.
To achieve these goals, among other actions, the capacity of civil society organizations would be strengthened as well. “The target are the civil society organizations. We shall bring them to a level where they are able to easily continue their activities without our interference,” Mr. Zadoyan added.
But how this goal will be achieved? The EU project has adopted two approaches: increasing SCOs capacity and funding. About 100 organizations that are specialized in 9 target areas would be selected. Karen Zadoyan noted that figuratively speaking, the implementers shall closely work with the organizations on everyday basis and lead them to the final objectives. In addition the best CSOs would be financed. Training of the CSOs would not be conducted in old traditional principles. The program envisages cooperation with the Government. The training courses would be developed by the efforts of one of the leading universities which will be selected on a competitive basis.
“We do not want to organize all these through the efforts of the non-governmental organizations, as it has been carried in Armenia until now. We want to bring this process to a new organizational level,” Karen Zadoyan said. Notably, the program foresees providing grants to civil society organizations.
Deputy Minister of Education and Science Karine Harutyunyan first asked for apology on behalf of the Minister. The meeting was originally supposed to be with Levon Mkrtchyan, but he was not present because he was participating in an urgent debate at the Government.
The Deputy Minister asked about the essence of the program and the target areas and, in particular, regarding education.
Since the project is expected to raise the issues in cooperation with the responsible agencies, in this case, with the Ministry of Education and Science, the participants discussed the current issues and reached an agreement to summarize them and to prepare a list.
Karine Harutyunyan pointed out a major problem, “The parents cooperate with the school management and teachers in the field of agreement, which means that if the parent opposes to something it may form a negative attitude towards the child. I think that this approach should be changed. Parents are passive, both at the parents’ meetings as well as in the involvement of the activities of Management Board.”
Mr. Carl Ulbricht, EU International Expert, who was present at the meeting, presented the British experience as an option for solving this problem saying that in contrast to the parents’ meetings that are held in Armenia, in London schools individual meetings with the parents of each pupil are scheduled. “In other words, the teacher and the parent meet in a sincere dialogue, where the parent is free of complexes when negative opinion may be expressed about their child in the presence of others. They simply sit and discuss general issues,” Mr. Ulbricht said.
Artak Manukyan, representative of SME Cooperation Association pointed to another problem. He said that in all schools there is notice posted on the walls nearly in all schools, which informs that the parents are not entitled to enter the school without a relevant permission. “It is contrary to the law because parents can go and follow the classes, but go to any school, the guard will not let you go upstairs.”
Mr. Aleksander Shagafyan, the President of Armenian Center for Democratic Education (CIVITAS) hoped that effective cooperation would be established with the Ministry. “I think that the information we would need to exchange very often, will need to establish a I think we will have problem to organize communication on daily basis,” Mr. Shagafyan said.
Solution of Problems and Activation of Civil Society: A New Project that will bring Changes in our Country The three target areas were selected initially, but currently the issue of increasing the scope of the target areas is discussed with other actors of the areas. The areas which include problems are being identified.
The “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project is implemented with the financial support of the European Union by the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO in cooperation with its partners; Agora Central Europe o.p.s (an NGO from the Czech Republic), Armenian Center for Democratic Education-CIVITAS, “International Center for Human Development” Public Organization, SME Cooperation Association and Union of Communities of Armenia.
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