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AAA: NGOs Selected for Coalition Building Program

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  • AAA: NGOs Selected for Coalition Building Program

    Armenian Assembly of America
    1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
    Washington, DC 20036
    Phone: 202-393-3434
    Fax: 202-638-4904
    Email: [email protected]
    Web: www.aaainc.org

    PRESS RELEASE

    September 22, 2008
    Contact: Michael A Zachariades
    Email: [email protected]
    Phone: (202) 393-3434

    NGOs SELECTED FOR COALITION BUILDING PROGRAM

    Washington, DC - The League of Women Voters (LWV), the Armenian
    Assembly of America (Assembly) and the NGO Center, Civil Society
    Development Organization (NGOC) are pleased to announce the selection
    of six NGOs to participate in the launch of a Coalition Building
    education program for local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in
    southern Armenia.

    The goal of this program is to provide and expand on existing skill
    sets for effective coalition and cross-sector coalition
    building. Through a series of focused coaching sessions, homework
    assignments, and team-building exercises, NGO representatives will
    learn how to build and maintain coalitions and work together to
    effectively advocate for positive change in their communities.

    Selection Committee members met earlier this month to review the
    applications. Six NGOs were selected. Each NGO will send two
    representatives to participate in the three, two-week sessions to be
    held in September, October and November, in Yeghegnadzor, in Armenia's
    Vayots Dzor Region. LWV Deputy Director Zaida Arguedas, Assembly
    Country Director Arpi Vartanian and NGOC Trainer/Consultant and
    Program Coordinator Hripsime Nazaretyan, extend their thanks to fellow
    Selection Committee Members from the Armenian Young Women's
    Association/Yerevan, Counterpart International, National Democratic
    Institute and OSCE/Yerevan, for their active participation and
    support.


    Of the six NGOs selected, four are from the Vayots Dzor Region and two
    are from the Syunik Region. Within their own communities, all of the
    NGOs selected have specific areas of concern, ranging from health and
    social issues to education and cultural issues, to human rights, to
    overcoming stereotypes, to garbage collection, to issues of the
    disabled, and more. By forming coalitions, NGOs can work with each
    other and their local communities to overcome these issues.

    Vartanian remarked, "I'd like to extend my thanks to our Selection
    Committee for their valuable input and support, which is helping this
    project move forward. Each of the NGOs that will participate in this
    project has something important to offer to the program. Upon
    successfully graduating this course, they will be part of a core group
    of NGOs that will lay the foundations in southern Armenia for
    effective cross-sector coalitions and partnerships."

    NGOs Selected

    Syunik Disabled People Support Organization, Voghji, advocates for the
    rights of those with special needs, and assists the integration of the
    disabled into society by addressing their social, legal, education,
    and health related issues.

    The Women's Association of Kapan, promotes gender equality and the
    active participation of women in the public, political, economic and
    social issues in the Syunik Region.

    Huys-98 (Hope-98) NGO, from Vayk, concentrates primarily on issues in
    the social, cultural, health and education sectors by providing
    consultations on social, psychological, and legal issues and
    organizing community development activities.

    Fund Against Violation of Law, Vayk Branch, works primarily in the
    legal sector, supporting the establishment of democracy and peace
    building initiatives, through community development, to victims of war
    and violence, in particular, refugees, former hostages, war prisoners,
    etc.

    Fund Against Violation of Law, Yeghegnadzor Branch, working in the
    Vayots Dzor, Syunik, and Gegharkunik regions of Armenia, addresses
    legal, community development, health, and youth issues. Services are
    provided to victims of war, ethnic minorities, and others whose rights
    have been violated.

    The Armenian Young Women's Association, Yeghegnadzor Branch, focuses
    on advocacy, service delivery, education and overcoming
    stereotypes. AYWA's mission is to enhance the status of and encourage
    the participation of young women in public, political, economic,
    educational, cultural and other fields, by working with young women
    and men.

    Nazaretyan, long-time Trainer and Consultant with the NGO Center, is
    the Program Coordinator for this program. As a Trainer with the NGOC
    since its establishment in 1994 as a project of the Assembly, she
    brings a wealth of experience to this project. The NGOC's goal is to
    promote democracy through civil society development. In 2005, the NGOC
    registered as a separate, local entity, and continues to work with
    NGOs and other elements of civil society.

    Arguedas also remarked "I like to thank all those who have joined us
    to make this project a possibility. This program commences on
    September 22, and we look forward to all its success to the region and
    Armenia." Arguedas will be in Armenia from September 18 - October 4.

    This project is made possible through the collective efforts of the
    League of Women Voters of the United States, the Armenian Assembly of
    America and the NGO Center Civil Society Development NGO. Funding for
    this project has been provided in the form of a grant to the League of
    Women Voters by private donors and Assembly Trustees Charles Talanian
    and Peter Vosbikian.

    The NGOC was established in 1994, as a project of the Armenian
    Assembly of America to promote democracy through civil society
    development. In 2005, it registered as a separate, local entity in
    Armenia. Targeting NGOs, community based organizations (CBOs), civic
    action groups (CAGs) and other elements of civil society, the NGO
    Center continues to help them in their efforts to develop a strong NGO
    sector in Armenia.

    The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization,
    encourages informed and active participation in government, works to
    increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences
    public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League
    is open to men and women of all ages. With more than 88 years of
    experience and 850 local and state affiliates, the League is one of
    America's most trusted grassroots organizations.

    Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
    Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
    understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3)
    tax-exempt membership organization.

    ###


    NR#2008-067

    Editor's Note: Photo can be viewed by following this link:
    http://www.aaainc.org/fileadmin/aaainc/image s/PR_-_2008/Sept/Selection-Committee-16-ECWB.jpg

    Photo Caption: L to R - Alex Sardar, Counterpart International; Lilit
    Asatryan, Armenian Young Women's Youth Association; Tsovinar
    Harutiunyan, OSCE; Hripsime Nazaretyan, NGO Center Civil Society
    Development Organization; Inga Kirakosyan, National Democratic
    Institute and Arpi Vartanian, Armenian Assembly of America
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