There were schools in Ararat marz and especially in Ararat City where the pupils did not have even basic knowledge about the corruption. However there are also schools where the pupils are quite knowing and have strong values,” Said Mr. Tigran Shirinyan, President of “Miasin” (Together) NGO for Protection the Rights of People with Disabilities, today at meeting on summarizing the results of “Together against Corruption” project. He remembered jokingly that the pupils in one of the schools rebelled even against the hospitality perceiving it as corruption. One of the children came stood up and said, “Is this not a bribe? You have taken us out of the lessons and now are giving reception so that we participate in seminar!” he said.

The grant was provided in the framework of “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” project implemented by the Armenian Young Lawyers Association in cooperation with its partner Freedom of Information Center co-funded by the EU and OSCE Yerevan Office. The objective of “Together against Corruption” project is fight against corruption in education sphere. Awareness trainings were organized for the pupils of high schools, as well as for their parents and teachers.

In the framework of the project survey was conducted among 152 respondents. During the event sociologist Arpine Antonyan said that 86 respondents said corruption was connected with bribery, 15 – with robbery and extortion, 9 with abuse of power, 9 with turning the illegal actions into legal.

Majority of respondents found the presenting flowers, candy, beverages, inviting to restaurant, giving presents to the teachers on the holiday is not corruption, but they considered abuse of power as corruption.

Mr. Artak Saribekyan, Executive Director of the AYLA hoped that the project will contribute to the fight against corruption in Ararat region. He also noted that the CSOs of Ararat marz, which participated in the anti-corruption training organized in the framework of “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” project, may apply to the small grants competition which soon will be announced in the framework of the project. In case of success they can conduct public monitoring projects in the territory of their marz. “This will be impetus for you to apply and participate in the tender and fight against corruption,” he said.

Artak Saribekyan also remembered that several years ago, when AYLA was launching its fight against corruption in the regions, citizens were reluctant to speak about corruption, but now the situation has changed. It is due to notice that the project had started on 1 June.

Notably, anti-corruption posters have been installed in Ararat region in the framework of the project.

Iravaban.net