If all have one goal and there is a unity to achieve the objective, then the results will be evident. This idea was highlighted at today’s meeting of the representatives of “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project with the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Ministers Ms Sona Harutyunyan and Mr. Ashot Margaryan, Head of the State Social Security Service Mr. Artak Ghazaryan and the Head of “Nork” Social Services Technology and Awareness Center” Foundation Mr. Armen Abrahamyan. The “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project was represented by Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the Project manager, Mr. Aleksander Shagafyan, the President of Armenian Center for Democratic Education (CIVITAS), and project representatives Mr. Carl Ulbricht and Mr. Marat Atovmyan.
Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project Manager introduced the project and noted that the CSOs capacity would be strengthened in the scope of the project through developing constructive dialogue with the state and local government bodies to identify the existing problems and to develop policies for their solution.
The project is implemented by a consortium of 6 organizations with EU funding and the support of the RA Government. The project duration is 34 months. The consortium is led by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association.
Karen Zadoyan said that the project had started on December 15 and currently meetings with the authorities of various government agencies and sectoral actors are being organized to discuss the existing problems and for mapping the CSO field and capacities. According to Mr. Zadoyan, this project is one of three major projects implemented by the European Union aimed at the development of CSOs.
Minister Artem Asatryan said that the objectives of the program can be highly appreciated, and the issue of inclusion of the social security sector is also being discussed. “About 40 percent of the population are our beneficiaries, and it is clear that the problems in our sector may be numerous.”
During the meeting some issues that exists in the sphere were raised. The parties agreed to continue cooperation and organize meetings in future as well to raise and identify the issues and to find solutions.
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 shall implement the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project with the financial support of the European Union.