The photo exhibition "International Cultural Dialogue" which commemorates the World Intellectual Property Day and the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, was inaugurated on May 7 at the UN House in Armenia.

The black and white photographs by the Armenian photographer and artist Tatev Mnatsakanyan, featuring the Armenian and Egyptian famous painters and sculptors, were exhibited. Her art attracted youth, artists, the international community, civil society activists, the media and the general public.

The aim of the exhibition is to raise the public’s awareness about the distinguished artists who dedicated their life to the development of art and promotion of peace, tolerance and cultural diversity. Tatev Mnatsakanyan plans to involve those countries in Western Europe, Middle East, USA, Canada and Russia, which have large Armenian communities, and serve as cultural bridge between nations.

Maria Dotsenko, UN Department of Public Information Representative said: “Through Armenian art, its rich traditions, which developed its strengths and brightness on the crossroads of various civilizations, we wish to attract public attention to the promotion of cultural diversity, tolerance and dialogue among different nations. I believe that this exhibition exalting the esteemed artists empowers the next, young generation with creativity. The UN House doors are traditionally open to artists who use their creativity to promote UN values aimed to spread ideas of peace, cultural diversity, gender equality and sustainable development.”

The photographer, Tatev Mnatsakanyan added: “I wish to further promote the beauty of Armenian art and its principles of tolerance and respect to diversity. Thanks to UNO Yerevan, I am able to share my works that were demonstrated earlier in the Armenian National Assembly and in Tashkent, Uzbekistan”.

Several of the elderly artists whose photos were on the walls were also present at the opening ceremony thus doubling the value of the exhibition and the essence of the theme itself.

The exhibition will be displayed in UN House till the end of May.
More photos on UN Armenia Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.521825264543213.1073741834.150992104959866&type=3

On 14 May, the first meeting of “UN 4 You(th) - You(th) 4 UN” initiative was held at UNO Yerevan and “SERUND(Generation) Pan-Armenian Youth Center”.

The aim of the initiative is to give an opportunity to youth organizations to learn about the UN activities and objectives globally and the work of UNO Yerevan. UNO staff in addition, also educated the youth about the Millennium Development Goals in reference to Armenia.

The event was attended by members of the UN Communication Group (UNCG) and relevant staff from the following agencies UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Children\'s Fund (UNICEF), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Department of Public Information (UNDPI) and UN  Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), while representatives from the following youth organizations were present: “SERUND(Generation) Pan-Armenian Youth Center”, YOUTH, School for Young Leaders, Youth for Future, Wide Opportunities, Youth Government of Armenia, Society Without Violence, WE Center for Young Innovators, Generation of Hayk, WostAYN (Armenian Youth Network) and others – overall 24 NGOs.

The meeting was very productive in terms of both the content and youth participation. During the discussion, the representatives from the youth organizations found common interest, which formed a platform for further cooperation with different agencies of the UN Country Team. Publications from UN agencies were also available for participants which gave first-hand information about the specifics of each UN Country Team member.

“UN 4 You(th) - You(th) 4 UN” initiative received a positive response and several meeting several agreements were reached to ensure further co-operation on a strong foundation.

Find more photos from the meeting here.

Students, university professors, local authorities and journalists learned more about the important role of the English language as the UN Office (UNO) Yerevan observed English Language Day in Armenia.

The goal of the event was to promote multilingualism, cultural diversity and to educate youth on the essential role of the UN official languages.  Some estimate that more than 500 million people in the world are native English speakers. The English language is among the top 10 most-spoken languages. 

More than 100 students participated in performances and presentations, promoting the English language. The event was organized by UNO jointly with the English Language Section of the Department of Romance-Germanic Philology at Yerevan State University. The event was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassies of India, United Kingdom and the United States.

The UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative, Ambassadors of India, United Kingdom, United States, Head of MFA Department of International Organizations and the University Rector spoke about the role of the English language in the UN, English language traditions, culture and opportunities to study English in Armenia.

The UN Resident Coordinator said “English is a beautiful and rich language and it plays crucial role in spreading the message of the UN ... That is why I am so delighted to see strong interest among Armenian youth in the English language. Knowledge opens doors to the myriads of new opportunities.”

UNO presented specially designed Certificates of Appreciation to the organizers and students of the Yerevan State University.

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the six official languages of the UN.  Starting from 2010, the UNDPI in New York has announced the launch of “Language Days at the UN”, an initiative which seeks to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity. The UNDPI together with its partners marks Days of all official languages of the UN throughout 2013.

On April 29, during a Model UN (MUN) conference organized jointly by the United Nations Office (UNO) Yerevan and the Yerevan State Linguistic University, more than 30 students increased their knowledge of UN values and the importance of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons while honing their negotiation and communication skills.

The MUN was a simulation of the UN Security Council session dedicated to the issue of nuclear tests conducted by North Korea.

Students, as diplomats representing the positions of the 15 Security Council countries discussed and deliberated a resolution. Prior to the MUN Conference, training sessions were held to further educate the participants on the UN global agenda, the functions and structure of the UN Security Council as well as its Rules of Procedures.

UNO staff, former UNO volunteers with extensive MUN experience, as well as a trainer from the Armenian UN Association, guided the participants through the preparation period, while two distinguished diplomats delivered lectures on the issue being simulated.

The students learned more about the leading role of the UN and its Security Council on the UN agenda issue of non-proliferation and North Korea. They understood what a huge responsibility it is to prepare their respective country’s position, properly voice it, negotiate, and find a common ground with other states, while taking into account possible consequences not just for their country and the region, but for the whole planet. The ability to negotiate, compromise, build consensus and tolerate other points of view, was unarguably useful for their future careers and will help them in becoming more active members of their society.

Maria Dotsenko, UNO Representative in Yerevan, Ambassador Vahram Kazhoyan, Head of the Department of International Organizations within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Lusine Fldjyan, Deputy Rector of the Yerevan State Linguistic University highlighted that MUN is a useful tool which helps youth to better understand the challenges of global UN agenda and role of UN in promoting peace and security. They were impressed by the passion and enthusiasm showed by the students and the efforts they had invested into research and presentations.

Students actively discussed the agenda issue and as a result, drafted a resolution which was successfully adopted. At the end of the session, participants received Certificates of Appreciation and the best delegate selected by the participants themselves received a symbolic award.

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