Peculiarity of the EU funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project is that the problems should be presented by yje civil society and the solutions achieved as a result of joint work.
Mr. Aleksander Shagafyan, President of the “Armenian CIVITAS” NGO, participant of the project consortium said at the regular focus group meeting in the scope of the project. “We shall consider everything that exists. But which issue will be selected, the inclusive area, the financing of the school, or other, depends on the extent the civil society organizations would defend their agendas,” Mr. Shagafyan noted.
Currently the preparatory work is underway in the scope of the project. The civil society together with the government is identifying the existing issues and the target areas.
Today’s focus group referred to the following sectors: education, culture, labor, social issues and healthcare.
Representatives of around a dozen of NGOs attended the focus group. They split into groups to discuss the existing issues.
In an interview with us the NGO representatives considered the corruption in the education sector the most important problem, and added that that it affects the social developments.
CSOs of cultural sector emphasized the issue of the protection of the monuments of cultural heritage and other issues.
By the way, these NGO representatives stressed that the capacity of the NGOs of cultural sector is not fully developed and they are not able to effectively influence the development of policies by the government.
The project is aimed at solving suchlike problems as well though strengthening of the NGOs’ capacity.
“Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project is implemented by a consortium of organizations, which consists of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association; “AGORA CE” NGO (Czech Republic), Armenian Center for Democratic Education (CIVITAS), International Center for Human Development Public Organization, SME Cooperation Association, and Union of Communities of Armenia.
Details in the video.
Gevorg Tosunyan
Aleksander Sargsyan
