“Education precondition for development” youth educational forum in Tsakhkadzor

The Armenia Round Table within the frames of “Assisting ART in national educational policy discussions and ensuring quality of ART and its partners through organizational development and capacity building” project financed by EVANGELISCHER ENTWICKLUNGSDIENST (EED) organized youth educational forum "Education - precondition for development" which took place through June 8-10, 2007 in the House of Writers in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia.

The forum brought together around 90 young people representing different non-governmental, church related and youth organizations, officials from the Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia, National Institute of Education, Educational Expert of the National Assembly of Armenia, etc., with an aim to initiate discussions and sharing over the educational policy and issues as regards vocational training and out-of-school non-formal education. Active participation as guest speakers have also brought invited guests from Georgia, Byelorussia and Ukraine. The speakers reflected on the present situation in the system of vocational and out-of-school education and perspectives for their development.

Key speakers were from the National Institute of Education, NGOs, e.g. Education for Sustainable Development Foundation, Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association - DVV International, etc., engaged in community development programmes and vocational training, Social Centers' staff and people with the expertise and experience of work in educational field.

The invitees were mainly from Armenia. Invited by ART were also representatives from “Coordination Committee for Inter-Church Aid,” Ukraine, “Interchurch Mission "Christian Social Service," Byelorussia, a “Youth Foundation,” Georgia, who shared over educational reforms and their activities in the filed in own countries.

The participants also worked in groups and had discussions on the role and prospects for cooperation between the Church, state and NGOs in the field of development of out-of-school and vocational education. The results of group discussions were summarized in a respective communiqué, which is currently under the elaboration by a core group made after the forum by the ART staff, moderator and speakers of the forum. The text of the communiqué will be shared with the participants and when finalized largely circulated to a broader number of stakeholders in the filed. The experiences of the forum and suggestions of the communiqué will be followed up in the ART Integrated Community Development Programme through 2007-2010.

The closing event of the forum was a visit to the Church St. Katoghikeh and Jervezh Social Center, where with the support of the ART “Establishment of a community meeting room” project is under the implementation. The Centre provides a comfortable room to local community for meetings, discussions, delivery of lectures by invited guests, cultural and educational activities. Fr. Kyuregh, members of women’s group and youth union made a presentation on their activities and gave a very warm welcome to forum participants. After two days of intensive work at the forum, the participants had a chance to enjoy sacred and folk music by the youth union choir, share food together and have more of informal communication.
Staff of “Youth Foundation” from Georgia
Fr. Ioann Didenko from “Coordination Committee for Inter-Church Aid,” Ukraine
Group discussion
Visit to the Church St. Katoghikeh
Youth Pilgrimage to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

It has been already a year since seminary students of the Gevogian Theological Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin attend orphanages, special schools for disabled children and Armenian youth centers. The aim of the visits is to facilitate spiritual discussions, to evoke love within children and young people towards their nation and the Mother Church and to help them foster and strengthen their faith. On April 15, 2007 with the financial support of the ART, seminary students organized a pilgrimage to Etchmiadzin for 220 students from eleven schools for disabled, orphanages, Armenian Church Youth Centers and other institutions. In the monastery of St. Hripsime pilgrims participated in the Divine Liturgy. Following church services, they prayed on the tomb of St. Hripsime. There were eleven groups of pilgrims; each group had two leaders from the seminary who spoke of the historical backgrounds and foundation of the monasteries. The young pilgrims also visited the other churches and monasteries in Vagharshapat: St. Shoghakat, Holy Mother of God, St. Gayane. Finally the groups arrived in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; here pilgrims offered a prayer before the Holy Altar of Descent. The older students were given a special tour of the Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury Museum on the grounds of the Mother See, where they viewed a wide variety of exhibits including vestments, liturgical items and national and ecclesiastical art. At the end of the event-filled day, the young pilgrims were ushered into the hall of the Seminary building, where they were treated to a concert of folk music and songs performed by a youth choir. At the conclusion of the event, Very Rev. Fr. Sahak Mashalyan, deputy dean of the Gevorgian Theological Seminary emphasized the value of the pilgrimages within the life of each Armenian and distributed spiritual literature to all people in attendance. The day was impressionable and pilgrims were enthusiastic, inspired and happy. The significance of the event was that such visits give isolated children and young people an opportunity to feel themselves full members of the society.
 

Church-State-NGO Cooperation for Development within ART supported “Shaping future today” project

On February 1, 2007 on the initiative of “Bolor Sar” local non-governmental organization a round-table discussion with the involvement of church representatives, local authorities and non-governmental organizations working in Vanadzor took place in the Primacy of Gugark Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church within the frames of the ART supported “Shaping future today” ART-06-E7/06-1 project.

The meeting aimed to identify possibilities for cooperation in addressing social and educational needs of the project target group, particularly children from socially vulnerable families, one parent and large families, and local community in general. During the meeting participants shared information on own projects and invited the organizations to participate in specific goings-on, discussed study groups and activities under implementation through the abovementioned project, also referred as a follow up to topics under the discussion of a similar format of November 24, 2006, when along with the ART staff, the project funding partner-representative from CordAid was also present. At the latter meeting the Primate of Gugark Diocese asked those present to share available information on handicapped people in need of wheel chairs and as a follow up 4 handicapped were provided wheel chairs on the eve of New Year. The municipality of Vanadzor pledged its contribution to the purchase of accumulator for one more wheel chair.

The discussions of the present meeting led to the following decisions:

• To arrange an event on the Day of Child Blessing in early April and to invite local NGOs involved in out-of-school education of children to partake with their children in the event, when the ART partner “Cross of Armenian Unity” cultural-educational NGO from Etchmiadzin will stage with its children’s theatre group a performance. The municipality will provide the hall of puppet theatre for free of charge;

• To identify and provide a list of young people for a training course on youth leadership run by “Armenian Constitutional Right-Protective” Center NGO;

• To plan an action to clean the surrounding area of Vanadzor river with active involvement of local community and young people;

The Primate of Gugark Diocese, His Grace Sepuh Chiljyan welcomed the participants and expressed his readiness to assist in the implementation of social and educational projects for the children from socially vulnerable families. His Grace has also encouraged the meeting participants to maintain communication and cooperation with each other and the Church.

The meetings held within the project frames are attended by the following NGOs: “Bolor Sar,” “Progress,” “Family and Children,” “Nature Keeping,” “Crossing Roads,” “Mihr,” “Armenian Constitutional Right-Protective Center,” “Mission Armenia,” “Zangagatun,” “Lori Development Center,” “Bell Tower,” “Healthy Life,” “Flight,” “Intellectual Women.” These NGOs are involved in non-formal education for young people and children and do so through trainings, study groups and workshops, social and educational events. The meetings are held in the hall of the Diocese which is supportive with arrangements. The meetings’ information is broadcast by local TV channel and published in local media.

Summary information on “Shaping future today” ART-06-E7/06-1 project

The aim of the project is to contribute to the development and capacity building of young people from vulnerable families of Vanadzor through training and study groups, such as computer classes, embroidery, cookery, design; social activities, such as pilgrimages and cleaning of territories, etc. The project is a joint initiative of four NGOs that completed a series of trainings on project planning, monitoring, evaluation, fundraising, public relations, etc., arranged and carried out by ART Capacity Building programme through 2005-2006.

Up to date within the frames of the project 60 children attended computer, cookery, nature keeping, embroidery and design study groups. The ART has facilitated for the project implementing NGOs and eight other active NGOs of Vanadzor exchange of experiences in Etchmiadzin in “Cross of Armenian Unity” NGO in August 2006. Each month the project initiative group meets for project progress discussion, sharing of information, etc. Clergy of Gugark Diocese, representatives from other NGOs, social and media departments of Vanadzor municipality and governor office, and mass media are invited for thematic discussions.

The project will be completed in March 2007 and the project initiative group based on the experiences of the present phase and feedback will design a new programme for continuation of the started activities.
 

Village Earth Mission to Armenia

Through October 20 to November 3, 2006, the Armenia Round Table invited the Consortium for Sustainable Village Based Development “Village Earth” to Armenia with the request to provide consultancy to ART staff in development of ART strategy axe “Integrated Community Development” and provide a training course for ART staff and ART local implementing partners in “Sustainable Village Based Development” to assist with the conceptual development and professional management of ART and its partners.

Throughout the Mission, the ART staff and Village Earth representatives, Ms. Mimi Shinn, Dr. Ed Shinn and Mr. David Bartecchi paid visits to ART supported projects, particularly to “Culture as a tool for Child Development and Socialization” implemented by Cross of Armenian Unity NGO, Establishment of Social Center in Jervezh” implemented by “Youth of Jervezh” NGO, “Establishment of Social Center in Gyumri” implemented by Diocese of Shirak and “Water and Sanitation for Six Communities” implemented by “Caravan-88” NGO and had discussions over project activities and community involvement in projects with clergymen, project managers, educators, youth groups and ordinary villagers.

The site visits and discussions assisted the Mission in its work with the ART staff on the development of the Integrated Community Development proposal.

Following the discussions in the ART and site visits, a training on “Sustainable Village-Based Development” was carried out by Village Earth for ART partners representing Armavir Diocese, Shirak Diocese, Catholic Our Lady of Armenian Center, “Syunik” NGO, “Bolor Sar” NGO, “Caravan-88”, “Cross of Armenian Unity” NGO, “Eco-99“ NGO, “Youth of Jervezh” Cultural-Educational NGO, “Legacy of Perished and Disabled Soldiers” NGO, “Sisian Center for Development” NGO through October 26 to November 1, 2006 in the Writers’ House of Tsakhadzor.

The course introduced the principles of community development approach as elaborated and experienced in Village Earth. The training mainly covered Introduction into Sustainable Village Based Development, Approaches to Village Based Development, Roles of Activator, Service Center, Strategy Planning; the Village Earth provided practical guide for work with communities and shared own experience of development work in communities.

In the result of general and groups’ discussions participants created models of Service Centers, shaped vision of the Center, identified strategic priorities and obstacles that can impede the work and achievements of Centers.

The training was inter-active and participants were engaged with group work and discussions, expressed their thoughts and opinions on points at issues, suggested different solutions to obstacles. An important fact worth mentioning is that good relations were established among participants, which was contributory to the development of ART partners’ network.

The Mission in general was successful in terms of comprehending the local context in relatively short time and providing consultancy and training relevant to local needs. Based on the experience of the training, evaluation of the training and feedback by its participants, the ART would like to continue cooperation with Village Earth.

Background Information about Village Earth

The Mission of the Village Earth is to achieve sustainable community-based development by connecting communities with global resources through training, consulting, and networking with organizations worldwide.  
Village Earth was born in 1993 at an International Conference on Sustainable Village-Based Development in Fort Collins, Colorado, where more than 300 participants from 30 nations created the Consortium for Sustainable Village-Based Development (CSVBD) and gave it the mandate to implement and train others in the strategies discussed during the conference. Since its inception Village Earth has trained and consulted with hundreds of individuals and organizations in countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Bosnia, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Mexico, Columbia, Armenia and elsewhere.

Visit to “Tsitsernak” camp

On July 31 the theatre “Fairy Tale House” of the “Cross of Armenian Unity” Charitable Cultural Public Organization (CAU) under the patronage of the ART paid a visit to “Tsitsernak” camp in Vanadzor. This camp was established in 2001 by Bishop Sepouh Chuljyan, Primate of Gugark Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and was intended to host children from socially vulnerable families.

On the first day of the visit 13 children and 5 representatives of the CAU were welcomed by His Grace by Bishop Sepouh Chuljyan in the Primacy of Gugarats Diocese. Theatrical circle of the CAU during its two-day visit performed Hovhannes Tumanyan’s “The Master and the Servant” and “Hunter the Lair.” The audience of 120 campers warmly greeted small actors and was impressed by the skilful play of the children portraying their heroes’ characters. Participants left the auditorium with the commemorative delight.

In the evening children participated in the closing of the camp. They witnessed campers making their farewells around the camp fire and promising to stay in contact with each other.

On the way back the group visited one of the most ancient monasteries in Armenia, Haghartsin where children managed to get acquainted with spiritual and cultural values of Armenia. 

The visit was impressionable, children were inspired and happy. 

 

The ART facilitated Vanadzor network of non-governmental organizations met on August 2, 2006

The meeting aimed to introduce new strategy and directions of ART work for the upcoming years and to arrange an exchange of experiences and visit to “Cross of Armenian Unity” Cultural NGO – partner of ART engaged in out-of-school education of children.

14 representatives from “Bolor Sar,” “Progress,” “Family and children,” “Environmental protection,” “Mihr,” “Crossing routes,” “Temporary shelter,” “Center of Lori Development” non-governmental organizations and Margahovit Center for Education visited the ART and had a meeting with ART executive director and staff.

After a round of introductions, those present shared their expectations from ART and ART informed the organizations about its perspectives of work and strategy for the coming years. The discussion and questions evolved around the future of the non-governmental organizations in Armenia, need for joining efforts and networking between organizations for discussions of specific issues, ART plans for capacity building of civil society groups and joint activities, support with small scale projects and community development.

The meeting participants were introduced HIV/AIDS programme prepared manuals and received copies of it. The ART made a suggestion to submit a small scale proposal for work in the HIV/AIDS field towards raising awareness with parents and young people, provision of pastoral and psychological counseling and consultations.

The second part of the day passed in the “Cross of Armenian Unity” Cultural NGO (CAU). The CAU has started its cooperation with the ART since 2004 within the frames of “Culture as a tool for child development and socialization” project. The project was aimed at contributing to children’s development and their socialization, enhancement of children’s mental outlook and increase of self-esteem and confidence through cultural education and upbringing. Within the frames of the project the CAU established a “House of Fairy Tales” theatre and a cinema hall designed for performances, free screening of cartoons and educational films for children. The number of children that attended different events of the fairy tale room is about 1200.

As the NGO has successfully completed the project and the achievements of it were encouraging, the ART suggested that the NGO shares its experience of work with other organizations engaged in similar activities.

On August 2, the troupe of the NGO staged one of its performances for the visiting group, which warmly applauded and accepted it.

The chair of the NGO welcomed the net meeting, introduced the NGO activities and philosophy of work with children. Those present spoke highly of the performance and the impressions from NGO activities were very positive. The NGO troupe received an invitation for a performance for children in Vanadzor, where the NGO troupe played a performance for “Tsitsernak” summer camp children on July 31.

It was decided to continue with the exchange practice and collaboration. The ART will start in August 2006 a pilot project to be implemented in Vanadzor by the net of these NGOs for support of out-of-school education of children from socially vulnerable families.

The day was successful as it brought one more step closer the NGOs in joint activities and sharing of experiences. The ART will continue facilitation of similar activities and capacitating civil society groups in Armenia.

The exchange was conducted within the frames of EED supported “Assisting ART in national educational policy discussions and ensuring quality of ART and its partners through organizational development and capacity building” KED 20036093, ART-04-E1 project.
 
 
 

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