EU funded program promotes child participation in South CaucasusMarch 25, 2011 - 19:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Regional Children Action for Participation (ReCAP) program, which aims at preparing children in the South Caucasus to be active citizens, was presented on March 25 in Yerevan. The program is funded by the European Union and implemented by Save the Children in partnership with The Future Is Yours local NGO. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child Report 2008 (A/63/41) states that opinions of children and young people are neither sought, nor respected in schools or in state residential care institutions, Save the Children Armenia Representation reported. The societal stereotypes that children’s opinions are irrelevant are still strong in the South Caucasus, causing indifference or discouragement in children and resulting in disempowered and unengaged youth rather than active citizens who strengthen their countries’ democratization by their participation. ReCAP strives to achieve empowerment of children in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to play a leading role in their own development and the development of their communities through meaningful participation at local, national and regional levels. In Armenia, ReCAP has targeted 20 schools in Yerevan and 5 provinces - Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk, Aragatsotn and Gegharkunik. Approximately 10,000 children, including refugee children, children with disabilities and victims of child rights violations will benefit from the program. The expected results of the program are: increased knowledge and skills among children about child participation and child rights; strengthened child participation in national and regional networks for child rights protection; and improved child participation in developing policy recommendations on issues which directly involve children's rights and rights violations. The presentation included welcoming speeches by the Country Director of Save the Children Irina Saghoyan, Head of Parliamentarian Committee on Health, Maternity and Child Issues Ara Babloyan, Acting Head of Operations of the EU Delegation to Armenia Jean-Christophe Gayrand, Head of General Education Department of the RA Ministry of Education and Science Narine Hovhannisyan and others. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |