Today, the governing bodies of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association (ALA) and The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) met. These two organizations in cooperation with their partners have launched two large scale projects with the EU support.
The parties introduced their organizations and the activities, which they would carry out in the framework of the EU supported projects.
Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association introduced the works implemented by the ALA, pointed the introduction of the Institute of Criminalization of Illicit Enrichment in Armenia. He said that in the duration of years, the government did not signify the fact that the country needs to realize institutional solutions for the effective fight against corruption. However, everything changed after four-day April War when the appropriate political will was manifested and the government heard the voice of civil society organizations. “We conducted a large scale study on illicit enrichment and raised the international experience, which we together with the Ministry of Justice, presented to and participated in the drafting of the law. The draft on illicit enrichment was adopted unanimously by the deputies of the National Assembly, including the opposition. When I was asked “Why so?” I answered that there were public expectations, and thus we had introduced the public expectations in that package. The theme of illicit enrichment is often spoken about in our country, and we said that we need to draw that white line,” Mr. Zadoyan said.
Speaking about the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project, the ALA President said that it would be 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. Armenian Lawyers’ Association shall coordinate the work of the Consortium.
The overall objective of the Action is to enhance the influence of CSOs on the public policy process, and the specific objectives are to strengthen the ability of CSOs to build coalitions and to strengthen the ability of CSOs to focus on constructive and strategic policy engagement with local and central government partners. The project will have a grant component. The CSOs shall be provided sub-grants in the scope of this grant component. The target spheres of the project are justice, education, business, local self-government and other sectors.
Ms Talar Kaznjian, Executive Director of Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) branch in Armenia said that they in cooperation with Eurasia Partnership Foundation shall implement “Civil Society Support” Program.
Mr. Arsen Stepanian, “Civil Society Support” Project Manager introduced the program, noting that the program will complement the capacity building program funded by the EU, focusing on the development of internal and external capacity of about 200 civil society organizations (SCOs), as well as on other ongoing initiatives funded by the EU (e.g., community development through social entrepreneurship – Program Code SE – Social Reaction to Labor Migration in Armenia (Together for Armenia)).
Other representatives of the governing bodies of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association and the Armenian General Benevolent Union participated in the meeting as well.
At the end, the participants agreed to conduct workshops to identifying further actions and cooperation.
Iravaban.net
