Armenian Lawyers’ Association and its partner organizations are entering a new stage of more intense and large scale activities. Before this the organization has had a successful experience in the anti-corruption sphere: legislative and institutional systems were developed and adopted as a result of the efforts of ALA in cooperation with the Government in the scope of the project implemented with the EU financial support.
Currently, ALA and partner organizations: “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 have chosen a number of target areas and are going to solve problems in the scope of the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project implemented with the financial support of the European Union.
Today, the project participants met with the Minister-Chief of Government Staff David Harutyunyan.
The Minister-Chief of Government Staff David Harutyunyan expressed gratitude for the active cooperation of civil society. He noted that this cooperation is extremely important for the Government. According to Mr. Harutyunyan the Government and civil society have achieved considerable progress in fighting corruption. The Minister also highlighted the activity of citizens, “When a person becomes an active citizen, he is active in all areas,” he said.
“Currently we are in the stage of mapping and conduct meetings. We shall identify problems in 9 areas using different methodologies,” Mr. Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association and “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project Manager said at the meeting. He also added that in addition to three target areas: education, justice and business, other six areas will be identified and selected in cooperation with the Government and other actors of the areas.
Mr. Hakob Avagyan, President of SME Cooperation Association informed that it is anticipated to create a Coalition of Business NGOs in the scope of the EU provided grant. The Coalition will support to the development of the public policies, including the development of corresponding legislative acts.
Mr. Aleksander Shagafyan, the President of Armenian Center for Democratic Education (CIVITAS) attached importance to the activities in education sector. He noted that the program is intended to raise the problems of the education sector, ands in cooperation with CSOs representing the education sector develop solutions for these problems as well as to come up with legislative initiatives.
In the end, it was decided to hold next discussions in the working environment and identify target areas.
