On 3 July, Ms Lenka (Akabie) Hora Adema, a professor in mediation at the VU University Amsterdam delivered a lecture on “Mediating Disputes between Citizens and Public Authorities: Netherland’s Experiences” to CSO representatives participants of Yerevan CSOs Incubator in the framework of the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project.
Lena Agapi Hora Adema noted that citizens are holding rallies in the Netherlands on various issues, but they are not so peaceful as in Armenia. “Demonstrations can even be accompanied by vandalism, and publicly, sexually abusive swear words directed to the authorities,” she said.
According to her, there is a need for proper public negotiations between the public authorities and citizens, which can be possible only by hearing the opinions, suggestions and concerns of the two sides.
Hora Adema touched upon the Velvet Revolution in Armenia, where the young people played a great role. “Now they have the opportunity to make big changes, and it is an important period for Armenia,” she said.
