A group of civil society organizations led by Armenian Association of Women with University Education gathered at the United Nations information office (UNO) in Yerevan for a round table discussion to commemorate the International Day of Peace on 18 September 2009. Since 2002, 21 September, the International Day of Peace, was observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence.

“It is a time to reflect on the horror and cost of war, and on our duty to resolve disputes peacefully,” said the UN Secretary-General in his special message issued for the day.

Representatives of various civil society organizations raised the necessity of PEACE in the South Caucasus region

In the previous statements, the Secretary-General was calling on governments and citizens to focus on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and launched the “We Must Disarm” campaign. “Disarmament and non-proliferation will make the world safer for our future generations because the resources it will free up could be used for other global challenges, such as poverty reduction, global food security, climate change and others,” said the Resident Coordinator of UN Armenia Office Ms. Consuelo Vidal.

During the round-table discussion, the participants also reiterated that peace was the only prerequisite for development, democracy-building and economic growth.

Participants of Global Model UN attending a press conference organized by UNO Yerevan

 A nine-member Armenian delegation participated in a first annual Global Model United Nations conference “The Millennium Developments Goals - Lifting the Bottom Billion out of Poverty” which was held in Geneva, Switzerland from 2 to 7 August.

The students from different Yerevan universities were among 700 best students from the national Model UN programs representing 60 countries. The event was organized by the UN Department of Public Information in cooperation with the World Federation of UN Associations (WFUNA).

The Model UN conferences are simulations of the United Nations forums, such as the General Assembly and its Main Committees and the Security Council. “Youth represent a top priority for the United Nations and, I am convinced, this youth gathering was an excellent opportunity for you to develop your leadership and communications skills that you will use throughout your lives, and why not as part of the UN family”, said Resident Coordinator of the United Nations information office (UNO) in Yerevan Ms. Consuelo Vidal during a press conference on 16 September 2009. “We have learned more about how the UN functions and got a unique opportunity to talk to many UN officials.

The United Nations DPI also provided training materials and online tools that allowed us to collaborate using new communication technologies,” said Aram Voskanyan from the Yerevan State University, head of the Armenian delegation in the Global Model UN, deputy president of the Armenian UN Association.

The Armenian delegation was also supported by the President of Armenia, Civil Aviation Department of the Government of Armenia, the UNO/DPI Yerevan office and by the Armenian UN Association.  
Since 2000 the UNO Yerevan supported the Model UN Conferences in cooperation with authorities, civil society organizations and education institutions.

UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Ms. Consuelo Vidal and the Prime Minister of Armenia Mr. Tigran Sargsyan signing the United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2010-2015 document in the Government building

On 24 July 2009 Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan received UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Consuelo Vidal. Heads of UN Agencies and Programmes in Armenia were also present at the meeting.
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, on behalf of the Government of Armenia, and Consuelo Vidal, on behalf of the United Nations, signed a programme of cooperation, which presents the strategic directions of the UN activities in Armenia during the upcoming 6 years.

The 2010-2015 programme of cooperation has been developed in line with the main national development priorities outlined in the Sustainable Development Programme, taking also into consideration the impact of current financial and economic crisis.

With a budget of around 72 million USD, the 2010-2015 programme of cooperation, also known as the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), will address issues in the areas of poverty reduction, democratic governance, basic social services, environmental management and disaster risk reduction.

After the signing ceremony, a joint press conference of Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and UN RC/UNDP RR Consuelo Vidal took place. PM Tigran Sargsyan, highly appreciating the activities of the United Nations in Armenia, noted that implemented projects are in line with the logic and content of government programmes. The first direction focuses on inclusive and sustainable growth, and part of the resources will be directed for the implementation of sustainable development projects.

The next priority is equitable access to basic social services, being followed by development of democratic institutions in Armenia, and environment and disaster risk reduction.
“It is very important that UN programmes focus on reduction of disparities in the regions and communities of Armenia, and community development projects have their important place in the 2010-2015 cooperation framework. These are the main priorities, which are included in this programme, and we are convinced that this cooperation will have an essential impact on sustainable economic development of Armenia,” said the Head of the Government of Armenia, thanking for long-term and fruitful cooperation.

UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Consuelo Vidal, thanking for the government’s excellent cooperation with the UN in Armenia, noted that the new programme of cooperation is a result of productive consultations with the Government of Armenia and the civil society and aims to bring to Armenia international standards, best practices, technical and financial resources to promote and develop national capacities.

The programme implementation to be overseen jointly by the Government of Armenia and the UN system.

On 3 July, 2009 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Armenia invited Government of Armenia, the United Nations family, diplomatic missions, local and international organizations, private sector and refugees to mark the World Refugee Day and to inaugurate the Social House in Darbnik village of Ararat marz, reconstructed for Iraqi refugee families in Armenia.

In 2008, the building of the former agricultural college in Darbnik village of Ararat marz was kindly and readily provided to UNHCR by the Government of Armenia, namely the Ministry of Territorial Administration of the Republic of Armenia/State Migration Agency, and was remodeled into 46 social apartments and 1 social room by UNHCR’s implementing partner YMCA Shelter. Furthermore, Government of Armenia ensured that the infrastructure of the building, gas and electricity, is in place, and Ararat marz authorities and Darbnik community greatly contributed to the installation of the external infrastructure of the building.

With the generous support of UNHCR’s partner in the private sector, VivaCell-MTS, UNHCR was able to complete the remodeling works of one block of the social house. Moreover, to secure basic living conditions for Iraqi refugees, UNHCR Armenia, jointly with US Embassy in Armenia, provided/will provide basic furniture sets to the families in their new social apartments in Darbnik.

UNHCR Armenia, through its implementing partners, Mission Armenia Charitable Social NGO and the Armenian Centre for Health and Education promotes social integration of refugees in Darbnik by helping them to integrate in the host community and in the society, in general. Further, the Future is Yours Charitable Social NGO, UNHCR’s partner for organizing this event, carried out a range of bridging community activities for refugees in Darbnik.

UNHCR Representative in Armenia Ms. Bushra Halepota during the event dedicated to the World Refugee Day in the refugee-populated community Darbnik

In her opening speech, UNHCR Armenia Representative Bushra Halepota wished the Iraqi families joy in their new neighbourhood and a dignified and happy life together in the generous community of Darbnik. “Indeed, a house is built by bricks but a home and community are built by hearts, and it is the close link with the community that makes this beautiful tuf building into a happy abode for Iraqi families”, Bushra Halepota added.

“Our duty is to ensure that those people who have been uprooted from their homes, and came to their Motherland, do not leave it in search of safe haven somewhere else.”, said VivaCell-MTS General Manager. “VivaCell-MTS as a corporate citizen, wants to contribute to this great initiative of housing, initiated by UNHCR. We believe that social adaptation and integration of people forced to flee their country starts from having their secure corner. We, the Armenians of Armenia, have to do our best to create conditions for these people to stay and see their children’s future here, in the historical motherland”, added Ralph Yirikian.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister of RA Armen Gevorgyan, VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, honourable guests and refugees joined the UNHCR Armenia Representative in the tour around the Social House. They planted trees in the area of the Social House which symbolized the start of a new life of Iraqi refugee families in Darbnik. The event was also celebrated with national cuisine, exhibition and colourful performances of refugee children from Darbnik and regions, passing the message of hope, peace, warmth and solidarity.