News
MAAC FORUM MARKS INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY IN ARMENIA
9 December 2009 – The anti-corruption forum organized by the USAID Mobilizing Action Against Corruption (MAAC) Activity in cooperation with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Office in Yerevan and the Prosecutor General’s Office of RA marked International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9 at Armenia Marriott Hotel in Yerevan.
More than 100 representatives of the Armenian government, civil society, private sector, and international organizations attended the forum. Speakers at the event included Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, U.S. Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, Prosecutor General of Armenia Aghvan Hovsepyan, United Nations Resident Coordinator, a.i. Maria Dotsenko, Head of European Commission Delegation to Armenia Raul de Luzenberger, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Silvia Zehe, Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan Carel Hofstra, and USAID MAAC Chief of Party François Vézina.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Sargsyan emphasized the critical role of the Government’s 2009-2012 Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan, adopted in October 2009, in fighting corruption in the country. In turn, Ambassador Yovanovitch noted that corruption, by decreasing state revenues, disallows governments to adequately invest resources in services critical to growth, like healthcare, education, and public infrastructure. “The lack of resources for these public investments limits the competitiveness of Armenia’s products and its labor market, and further constraints investment and economic growth”, - noted the Ambassador, further emphasizing the important role that the governments, civil society, businesses, and international development partners have in working together to combat corruption.
Within the framework of the forum, the Head of the Corruption and Organized Crime Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Armen Ashrafyan, presented the “Prosecution Against Corruption” book to event participants. In addition, the Caucasus Research Resource Center-Armenia presented the preliminary findings of the MAAC 2009 Corruption Survey of Households while drawing parallels with MAAC’s survey in 2008.
To read the forum proceedings, please click here.
2009-2012 ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN ENTER INTO FORCE
3 December 2009 - Today the 2009-2012 Anti-Corruption Strategy, its Action Plan, and the Monitoring and Evaluation System entered into force. The documents had been adopted by the Government of Armenia on 8 October and signed by Prime Minister Sargsyan on 16 November.
To read the full news (in Armenian only) about the adoption of the Strategy by the Government, please click here.
To read the Strategy and Action Plan documents adopted by the Government, please visit the Documentssection of our website.
CHILDREN PRESENT ANTI-CORRUPTION FILMS AND PHOTOS TO PUBLIC
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| Children performed a series of anti-corruption sketches at the opening of the Festival |
2 December 2009 - Today the “Shadow” festival of children’s anti-corruption films and photos opened its doors to the public in Yerevan, at Mkhitar Sebastaci Educational Center. The festival organizer “Center of Public Dialogue and Development NGO” is funded by a grant from MAAC.
Representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, National Assembly of Armenia, as well as USAID/Armenia were present at the opening of the festival. MAAC COP François Vézina and the chairman of the Standing Committee for European Integration of the National Assembly Naira Zohrabyan delivered opening remarks. After the opening ceremony, the participants and guests viewed the first anti-corruption films.
The festival gathered together participants from all marzes of Armenia. On 2-3-4 December, children will have an opportunity to present their video and photo works to their peers and the general public.
MAAC HOLDS ITS FIRST ANNUAL GRANTEES MEETING
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| The vice-president of MAAC grantee Armenian Public Relations Association Arman Saghatelyan presents the results of group discussion |
25 November 2009 - Today MAAC held the first annual meeting with its grantees at the Congress Hotel in Yerevan. Forty-two representatives from twenty-two of its 25 former and current MAAC grantee organizations took part in the meeting where they shared lessons learned and best practices on fighting against corruption and discussed strategies for strengthening existing and future programs. USAID/Armenia Office of Democracy and Governance Project Management Assistant Arev Movsisyan and MAAC Chief of Party François Vézina opened the event.
Four MAAC grantees representing four different directions of MAAC work presented their projects, successes, and lessons learned. Armavir Development Center NGO president Naira Arakelyan spoke about the operations of the Advocacy and Assistance Centers that run in all marzes and their partnership with NGOs. The president of the “Future is Yours” NGO Narine Sargsyan presented their experience in working in coordination with government agencies in devising the anti-corruption curriculum in schools. The president of Harmony NGO Eduard Ghudrunts shared his reflections of working with local self-government to improve services at the grassroots-level. Finally, the Center for Public Dialogue and Development NGO informed about the “Shadow” festival of children’s anti-corruption films and pictures, aimed at increasing youth’s awareness about corruption.
Later during the day the participants split into five groups to participate to the breakout sessions; each group discussed the lessons learned and best practices from their projects. The results of group discussion were later presented during the plenary session.
The participants also shared their views about possible MAAC support in the future; MAAC will use this information to determine the possible programmatic directions it should consider.
MAAC AWARDS GRANTS TO FIGHT CORRUPTION IN HEALTHCARE AND COMMUNITY TAX COLLECTION SERVICES
17 November 2009 - Today MAAC awarded two grants aimed at decreasing corruption in healthcare and community tax collection services. The recipient organizations are the winners of the NGO Marketplace held in April.
Yerevan State Medical University received a grant to implement the ''Anti-Corruption Action in Medical Institutions'' project. By conducting a survey of medical personnel, this initiative seeks to identify corruption risks in health care institutions. The project, which will include a public awareness campaign based on the survey’s results, will be executed from December 2009 through May 2010.
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MAAC COP François Vézina and the coordinator of the ''Anti-Corruption Action in Medical Institutions'' project Lusine Danielyan after grant awarding ceremony |
The Young Family Support Center NGO from Yeghegnadzor - another NGO Marketplace winner - will implement a seven month project titled '' Transparent Community Budget''. This aims at increasing transparency and accountability in the community tax collection process in Yeghegnadzor, Vayk, Jermuk and Malishka.
In signing the above grants, MAAC completed the grant-award process of all the NGO Marketplace winner organizations.
NGO MARKETPLACE WINNER ARMENIAN PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS THE "CHANNEL CORRUPTION AWAY" PROJECT
4 November 2009 - At a press conference held yesterday in Armenia Marriott Hotel, the Vice-President of the Armenian Public Relations Association (APRA) Arman Saghatelyan presented to the media the "Channel Corruption Away" project, aimed at raising awareness about mechanisms of fighting corruption in the courts. The project was one of the winners of MAAC's NGO Marketplace held in April 2009.
Mr. Saghatelyan presented the project, its goals, and expected results. He noted that the main target group of the project would be small and medium businesses, whose awareness of the ways to protect their rights when facing corruption would be raised through media campaign consisting of spreading success stories of combatting corruption in courts. The project will aim to initiate public discourse about the ways people can defend themselves from corruption.
FORUM IN GYUMRI DISCUSSES ANTI-CORRUPTION EDUCATION IN ARMENIA
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| The Head of the Prosecutor General Office's Corruption and Organized Crime Department Armen Ashrafyan delivers a presentation; over the presiding table are the Governor of Shirak marz Lida Nanyan, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science Manuk Mkrtchyan, USAID/Armenia Deputy Mission Director John Seong, and MAAC COP François Vézina |
29 October, Gyumri – The need for anti-corruption education in Armenian educational establishments was discussed today during the 5th Anti-Corruption Forum organized by MAAC in Gyumri. The forum, co-organized with the Ministry of Education and Science in partnership with the National Institute of Education, the General Prosecutor’s Office and ‘’The Future is Yours’’ NGO, was attended by over 160 participants from all parts of the country representing schools, universities, civil society organizations, state agencies, international organizations, and the media. Opening remarks were delivered by Governor of Shirak Lida Nanyan, Head of the Prosecutor General Office's Corruption and Organized Crime Department Armen Ashrafyan, USAID/Armenia Deputy Mission Director John Seong, and MAAC COP François Vézina.
During the forum, development of an anti-corruption curriculum in schools, teaching methods and materials, informal anti-corruption education initiatives, and international experience in anti-corruption education were presented by Armenian and international experts and civil society representatives. The participants stressed the importance of encouraging formal and non-formal anti-corruption education in Armenian educational establishments at all levels. They also noted the role of informal education in creating an anti-corruption mindset in young people.
“The ultimate aim of anti-corruption education in schools is to change the public attitude of accepting corruption as a normal way of doing business and an inevitable evil, and to explain what can be done in practice to protect rights and interests of individual citizens without resorting to bribery,” USAID/Armenia Deputy Mission Director John Seong said during his welcome remarks. Seong quoted the former president of India Abdul Kalam saying that they key societal members who can make difference for a country to be corruption free are the father, the mother, and the teacher. USAID will continue to support anti-corruption education as one of the priority objectives in Armenia’s newly-adopted 2009-2012 Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan, USAID/Armenia Deputy Mission Director concluded.
Please click to read Governor Nanyan's speech in Armenian and English.
To read USAID/Armenia Deputy Mission Director's full speech please click here.
To read the power point presentations delivered during the forum please click here (large file size - 42 MB).
To read the forum proceedings, please click here.
MAAC AWARDS A GRANT TO REDUCE CORRUPTION RISKS IN PRIMARY HEALTHCARE
20 October 2009 - Today MAAC awarded a grant to the reduce corruption risks in primary healthcare in Tavush marz. The project is aimed at reducing corruption risks in implementation of state provided free of charge Primary Health Care services in 15 village communities of Tavush marz through establishment of innovative approach, mobilization, awareness raising and active participation of targeted population.
The project will last for six months.
MAAC AWARDS A GRANT TO RAISE ANTI-CORRUPTION PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE NATIONWIDE SCALE
16 October 2009 - Today MAAC awarded a grant to Banadzev Production Studio to organize a series of anti-corruption TV programs entitled ''Special Reportage'' on Public TV of Armenia; this project has been one of the winners of the NGO Marketplace.
''Special Reportage'' is aimed at raising public awareness and contributing to decreasing corruption manifestations in Armenia. The programs will last for 7 months - till May 2010.
MAAC AWARDS GRANTS TO FIGHT CORRUPTION IN SYUNIK AND LORI MARZES
15 October 2009 - Today MAAC awarded two grants to fund anti-corruption projects in Syunik and Lori marzes.
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| MAAC COP François Vézina, Director of Loru MIG TV Samvel Harutyunyan, and MAAC Media Specialist Ara Brutian after the grant awarding ceremony (right to left) |
MAAC awarded a grant to Loru MIG TV company to implement the ' Informing the Public About Corruption and Ways of Fighting It ' project aimed at raising public awareness of the citizenry of Lori marz about corruption through thematic anti-corruption talk shows. The project will last for 7 months and will finish in May 2010.
MAAC also awarded a grant to the Young Doctors of Syunik NGO to implement the ' Accountable medical center – healthy community' project aimed at decreasing the level of illegal payments at Syunik marz ambulatory policlinics. The project will be implemented in the cities of Goris, Kapan, Agarak, Kajaran, Meghri and Sisian, as well as in 102 village communities of Syunik marz. The Young Doctors of Syunik NGO, who is one of the winners of the NGO Marketplace, will complete the grant project in June 2010.
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| MAAC COP François Vézina, Young Doctors of Syunik NGO President Gagik Tunyan, and MAAC Senior Grants Manager Philip Hovhanisyan after the grant awarding ceremony (left to right) |
MAAC AWARDS A GRANT TO SUPPORT DISABLED CITIZENS AGAINST CORRUPTION
9 October 2009 - Today MAAC has awarded a grant to Astghik Disabled Children's Parents' Association NGO, one of the winners of the NGO Marketplace, to implement the ''Guardianship'' project. The project is aimed at minimizing and/or eliminating the corruption risks observed in the process of gaining guardianship to protect rights of citizens with no capacity to work. The project will achieve its goals by informing relatives of those taking care of citizens with no capacity to work about their rights concerning disability and guardianship, by preparing a guidebook on guardianship including anti-corruption guidance and support, and by presenting recommendations to minimize/eliminate corruption risks. The project will last for five months - from October 2009 to March 2010.
Astghik Disabled Children's Parents' Association NGO was founded in 1995 and since then has implemented various projects aimed at protecting the rights of the disabled children.
MAAC AWARDS A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO RENOWNED "ART VOICES" ROCK GROUP
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| MAAC COP François Vézina awards a Certificate of Appreciation to renowned Art Voices group |
10 September 2009 - Today MAAC awarded a certificate of appreciation to the renowned Art Voices rock group for its contribution to the NGO Marketplace, held this April. During this event, the Art Voices played for several hours, entertaining participants and more than 1,700 guests of the Marketplace.
Art Voices' music will be featured in a video film on the NGO Marketplace; the film will be shown this TV season on Public TV of Armenia.
ADVOCACY AND ASSISTANCE CENTER IN YEGHEGNADZOR ORGANIZES A "NO TO CORRUPTION" SEMINAR AND MARCH IN YEGHEGNADZOR
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| The prosecutor of Vayots Dzor marz delivers a presentation | The anti-corruption march on the streets of Yeghegnadzor |
9 September - Today the Advocacy and Assistance Center of Vayots Dzor, operated by the Armenian Young Lawyers Association, organized a 'No to Corruption' seminar in Yeghegnadzor. The seminar attracted over 40 participants, including representatives of the Regional Prosecutor Office, Yeghegnadzor city administration, NGO representatives, local press, and university students.
Event participants discussed mechanisms through which Advocacy and Assistance Centers, local prosecutors, and the public can cooperate in the fight against corruption. The prosecutor of Vayots Dzor marz, Hovhannes Palyan, proposed to develop well-defined procedures of cooperation between the AACs and marz prosecutors. The Vayots Dzor AAC staff presented the challenges and issues they encountered when supporting victims of corruption. Furthermore, representatives of Kotayk and Tavush AACs shared their experiences in implementing innovative strategies to fight corruption.
The seminar was followed by an anti-corruption march through the streets of Yeghegnadzor in which nearly 200 high school and local university students participated to disseminate anti-corruption booklets and leaflets.
MAAC AWARDS GRANTS AIMED AT PROMOTING ANTI-CORRUPTION IN SCHOOLS AND MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS
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| MAAC COP Francois Vezina and CPDD Programs Director LIlit Bleyan after signing the grant agreement |
25 August 2009 – Yesterday MAAC awarded a grant to the Center of Public Dialogue and Development (CPDD) NGO to organize a festival “SHADOW” of school films and photo works on corruption; the festival is aimed at creating an independent space, a forum where the ideas of honesty, “fair play” and fair lifestyle will be discussed by the children themselves. The festival will take place in September.
Yesterday MAAC also awarded a grant to Armavir Development Center NGO - one of the winners of the NGO Marketplace. The grant project will be aimed at conducting anti-corruption participatory monitoring in four outpatient medical institutions of Armavir region. Within the framework of the grant project, the NGO will also conduct a wide campaign of rights awareness in rural and urban communities of the region.
MAAC Awards a Grant to Decrease Corruption Risks in Certification Bodies
25 July 2009 - Yesterday MAAC awarded a grant to the 'Protection of Consumers' Rights' NGO. The aim of the grant project is to increase transparency and to decrease corruption risks at Certification bodies and State Quality Inspectorate in a process of regulating the importing, turnover, and monitoring of the sale of inedible products in Armenia. The grant project will last for nine months; the amount of grant is approximately AMD 7 000 000.
Anti-Corruption Forum and Report Link Corruption and Human Rights
23 July 2009 – At a press conference held yesterday, the USAID Mobilizing Action Against Corruption (MAAC) Activity and Armenia’s Human Rights Defender’s Office, in conjunction with the International Council on Human Rights Policy (ICHRP), announced the release of the Armenian version of ICHRP report entitled “Corruption and Human Rights: Making the Connection”. “Using a conceptual framework for assessing when particular acts of corruption violate human rights, this report shows how organizations can promote human rights while working to end corruption,” notes the publication.
The 4th MAAC Anti-Corruption Forum, hosted by MAAC in cooperation with ICHRP, immediately followed the press conference at Armenia Marriott Hotel. The forum highlighted ways in which corruption practices violate human rights, and discussed operational frameworks for applying human rights principles to anti-corruption initiatives. “The importance of the link between the human rights cause and anti-corruption initiatives can not be stressed enough,” said USAID Mission Director Dr. Jatinder Cheema, “This forum, and the release of the report in Armenian, represent two major accomplishments in bringing these very important issues to the forefront attention of the Armenian society.”
Armenia’s Human Rights Defender, Armen Harutyunyan, wrote the ICHRP report foreword and delivered opening remarks at the forum. The event encompassed four sessions, titled Determining When Human Rights are Violated by Corruption; Institution of Human Rights Defender and the Fight Against Corruption; Linking Acts of Corruption with Specific Human Rights; and Protecting the Rights of Those Investigating Corruption and Preventing Abuses of Anticorruption Campaigns.
Published in English in early 2009, the Armenian version is an ICHRP-MAAC co-publication that discusses the impact corruption has on human rights around the world. Copies of the report were distributed during the Forum, which brought together more than 60 participants from civil society organizations, state agencies, universities, international organizations and the media. The publication will also be made available to Government officials.
To download the Report in Armenian, please click here.
To read the Report in English, please click here.
To read the forum proceedings, please click here.
ADVOCACY AND ASSISTANCE CENTERS HAVE BEEN OPENED THROUGHOUT ARMENIA
12 June 2009 – Six new Advocacy and Assistance Centers (AACs) have opened their door for operations in Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Gegharkunik, Kotayk and Vayots Dzor, and. These are part of a network of 11 AACs with a nationwide presence along with the five previously opened centers in Lori, Shirak, Syunik, Tavush and Yerevan. Attending the opening ceremonies of these six new AACs were local and regional government officials (Governors, Prosecutors, Police Chiefs, and Judges), representatives from USAID, the international community, local NGOs, and citizens.
The Centers will help citizens resolve corruption-related problems by providing legal advice and assistance in legal processing of complaints. The AACs will also provide citizens with channels for reporting corruption and directing complaints to government agencies, as well as stimulate reforms by recommending systems-level changes to the Government of Armenia.
Armavir Development Center NGO and the Gegharkunik Chamber of Commerce and Industry will operate the centers in Armavir and Gavar respectively, while the Armenian Young Lawyers Association will run the centers in Ararat, Ashtarak, Hrazdan and Yeghegnadzor.
The nature and extent of corruption in Armenia, as noted by local and international studies, highlights the need to undertake decisive action, such as encouraging people to get involved in the fight against corruption, and identifying and promoting reforms and changes in government procedures to make corrupt practices more difficult and detectable.
The Advocacy and Assistance Centers are an important component in the USAID MAAC Activity’s efforts to support civil society and the Government of Armenia in their fight against corruption. USAID will continue to provide theCenters with technical and financial support as part of its continued commitment to that partnership.
MAAC Awards a Grant to Develop Anti-Corruption Education Course for High Schools
15 April 2009 - Today MAAC awarded a grant to "The Future is Yours" Charitable Social NGO to implement "Education Against Corruption" project, aimed at developing an anti-corruption cirriculum for 9th and 10th grade high school students in Armenia. The President of "The Future is Yours" NGO Narine Sargsyan and MAAC COP Francois Vezina signed the grant award agreement.
The main activities of the project are developing a draft anti-corruption course guidebook, realizing pilot courses on anti-corruption education, and training more than 1000 teachers of the public schools.
As a result of the implementation of this project, the capacity of schools to deliver anti-corruption courses will be built and strengthened, and the awareness about corruption and anti-corruption in schools will be increased.
"The Future is Yours" NGO was founded in 2003; its areas of activity include supporting socially unprotected children, families, and elderly people, promotion of various educational programs, revealing of gifted but unprotected children and providing them with support, and assisting children in overcoming stress situations.
New Advocacy and Assistance Centers to Open in Kotayk, Aragatsotn, Ararat, and Vayots Dzor Marzes
7 April 2009 – Today, MAAC awarded a grant to Armenian Young Lawyers’ Association (AYLA) NGO to establish and operate Advocacy and Assistance Centers (AACs) in Aragatsotn, Ararat, Kotayk and Vayots Dzor marzes. In Aragatsotn marz, AYLA will establish the AAC in Ashtarak and smaller “reception centers” in the cities of Aparan and Talin.
With these new AACs, Armenia is now covered by a network of ten AACs which provided citizens free legal advice and practical assistance in addressing corruption-related complaints.
An eleventh and final center is scheduled to be established soon in Gegharkunik marz by another NGO.
New Advocacy and Assistance Center to Open in Armavir
2 April 2009 - On 31 March 2009, MAAC awarded a grant to Armavir Development Center NGO to establish an Advocacy and Assistance Center in Armavir Marz. The grant contract was signed by the Director of Armavir Development Center Naira Arakelyan and MAAC Chief of Party Francois Vezina. The Center will assist the citizens of Armavir marz in receiving legal assistance regarding corruption related complaints and raise awareness of citizens on anti-corruption legislation and procedures. The Armavir Center will complement the network of already existing centers in Shirak, Lori, Tavoush, Syunik, and Yerevan. The Armavir Center will provide services to local residents starting mid-April.
Armavir Development Center NGO was established in April 2005; its mission is fostering collaboration amongst public and private sectors of Armavir marz, with the vision of achieving social-economic progress.
MAAC Awards a Grant Aimed at Reducing Corruption Risks in Healthcare
13 March 2009 - Yesterday MAAC awarded a grant to "Kaghni" social-ecological NGO to implement the "Healthcare for Everyone, Not Just the Rich" project, aimed at preventing and reducing corruptin risks in the healthcare sector by increasing the public awareness about free of charge medical services. The project will be implemented in Berd town and 16 rural communities of the Berd district.
Within the framework of the project, "Kaghni" NGO will set up and train community groups, which will later share the knowledge with other members of community through consultations and meetings with residents. Each community group will include one trained nurse and two active community members. Booklets relating to free of charge health services will be prepared and disseminated. In addition, round-table meetings will be organized with project beneficiaries and other interested organizations; consultations will also be provided, when necessary.
Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center NGO Officially Opened the Yerevan Advocacy and Assistance Center
2 March 2009 -The Advocacy and Assistance Center of Yerevan opened its doors to the public today. US Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, representatives of the international community, local NGOs, and the media attended the opening ceremony, hosted by Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center NGO.
With funding from the USAID MAAC Activity, the Center will help citizens resolve corruption-related problems by providing legal advice and assistance in processing of complaints. The AAC will also provide citizens with channels for reporting corruption and directing complaints to government agencies, as well as stimulate reforms by recommending systems-level changes to the Government of Armenia. |
US Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, Chairman of the Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center NGO Amalia Kostanyan, and Coordinator of the Yerevan AAC Sona Ayvazyan answer journalists' questions. |
In her opening remarks Ambassador Yovanovitch reiterated the U.S. Government's commitment to democratic reform and good governance in Armenia. "Successfully reducing corruption requires an integrated approach that includes the development and implementation of government systems and policies to make corrupt practices more difficult and detectable," said the Ambassador, noting the importance and role of civil society institutions and independent media in bringing corruption problems to light.
The centers (in Tavush, Lori, Shirak, Syunik, and Yerevan) are operational and equipped with a toll-free hotline for legal consultations. By April 2009, MAAC expects to award additional grants to NGOs to operate Advocacy and Assistance Cneters in the six remaining marzes of Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Gegharqunik, Kotayk and Vayots Dzor. |
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The First Advocacy and Assistance Centers Open in Four Marzes
22 December 2008 The first Advocacy and Assistance Centers (AACs) opened their doors for the citizens of Shirak, Lori, Tavush, and Syunik marzes. The Centers will allow citizens to receive support regarding and ask questions about corruption-related problems they face. They will also provide citizens with channels for reporting corruption and directing complaints to GOAM agencies and receive assistance in legal processing of their complaints.
On 3 December, the Advocacy and Assistance Center in Ijevan officially opened its doors to the citizens of Tavush marz. The center, which is run by the Armenian Young Lawyers Association NGO, will assist citizens in addressing their grievances and other corruption-related complaints. Tavush Governor Armen Ghularyan and USAID/Armenia Democracy Advisor Mark Levinson opened the Advocacy and Assistance Center in Ijevan. “Active engagement of civil society is essential in order for the fight against corruption to be effective and efficient,” said Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association NGO. “We see our mission as providing citizens with a complete range of services and tools so that they can protect their rights and break the cycle of corruption.”
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USAID/Armenia Democracy Advisor Mark Levinson presents the Grant Award Certificate to the President of Armenian Young Lawyers Association Karen Zadoyan |
On 5 December, the Advocacy and Assistance Center in Kapan, run by the Civil Society Development Center of Syunik NGO, officially opened its doors to the citizens of Syunik marz. The Opening ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor of Syunik Vache Grigoryan, Mayor Arthur Atayan of Kapan, other local authorities, representatives of donor community, and the media. During the opening ceremony the Coordinator of the Center and the President of the Civil Society Development Center of Syunik Tigran Stepanyan presented the goals of the AAC, the challenges the AAC would face, and the issues the AAC would aim to address.
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Syunik AAC Coordinator Tigran Stepanyan presents the goals and objectives of the AAC to the participants of the opening ceremony |
On 10 December, in Vanadzor, the Advocacy and Assistance Center of Tavush marz opened its doors to public. The Center will be run by the Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center NGO, in partnership with Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor NGO. The Center will have branches in the cities of Spitak, Stepanavan, Tashir, and Alaverdi. The opening of the Center was marked with a press conference. |
Lori AAC Coordinator Arthur Sakunts answers questions during the opening ceremony press conference |
On 19 December, in Gyumri, the Advocacy and Assistance Center of Shirak marz opened its doors to public. The AAC is run by the Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center NGO in partnership with Asparez Journalists' Club. The Center will also have operations in Amasia, Ashotsk, Artik, and Maralik communities of Shirak marz.
The opening of the Advocacy and Assistance Center in Yerevan is scheduled for early February 2009. |
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MAAC Forum Marks International Anti-Corruption Day
9 December 2008 The International Anti-Corruption Day, celebrated worldwide on December 9, was marked in Armenia by the Anti-Corruption Forum, organized by USAID Mobilizing Action Against Corruption (MAAC) Activity in cooperation with the UNDP Anti-Corruption Project. Over 75 participants from civil society organizations, state agencies, international organizations, private sector and the media participated in the Forum at Armenia Marriott Hotel and discussed the findings of the Armenia National Household Corruption Survey, UN Convention Against Corruption Gap Analysis, draft of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy Paper for 2008-2012, and the introduction of Advocacy and Assistance Centers in Armenia. |
USAID/Armenia Acting Mission Director Cynthia Pruett and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative deliver openingremarks |
The Forum was opened by Cynthia Pruett, USAID/Armenia Acting Mission Director and Dirk Boberg, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. Heghine Manasyan, Country Director of the Caucasus Research Resource Center, presented the findings of the MAAC 2008 National Household Corruption Survey, after which UNDP Anti-Corruption Project expert Mane Beglaryan presented the gaps that subsist between the UN Convention Against Corruption and Armenia’s legal and institutional framework. Armen Khudaverdyan, Coordinator of the Anti-Corruption Strategy Monitoring Commission’s Expert Group, then delivered a presentation on key approaches of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan currently being developed. |
The findings of the first National Household Corruption Survey are presented to the forum participants |
Presentations also covered the new mechanism that allows citizens to voice corruption-related complaints (Advocacy and Assistance Centers), delivered by Sona Ayvazyan, Executive Director of the Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center NGO, Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association NGO, and Tigran Stepanyan, President of the Syunik Center for Civil Society Development NGO.
USAID MAAC Chief of Party François Vézina closed the forum, noting that “the acknowledgement of the International Anti-Corruption Day is another opportunity to remind people that there are actions they can immediately undertake and opportunities they can make use of to effectively combat corruption”. December 9th was designated as the International Anti-Corruption Day by the UN General Assembly resolution 58/4 of 31 October 2003 in order to raise people’s awareness of corruption and of the role of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in combating and preventing it.
The Forum today was the third in a series of anti-corruption forums organized by the USAID MAAC Activity since July 2008.
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MAAC Facilitates Discussion between the Ministry of Health and Civil Society on Monitoring of Free Obstetric Services
25 November 2008 A forum organized by the RA Ministry of Health and USAID Mobilizing Action Against Corruption (MAAC) Activity took place in the CongressHotel in Yerevan on 25 November 2008.
The forum discussed public participation in and public support for the newly introduced state-guaranteed free obstetric services and Obstetrical State Certificate system.
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Karine Saribekyan, Head of Department of Mother and Child Care of the MoH delivers a presentation |
RA Deputy Minister of Health Hayk Darbinyan and the USAID/Armenia Social Reform Office Director Ann Hirschey delivered opening remarks.
Government-NGO cooperation in the monitoring of the free obstetric services process, the economic basis of the Obstetrical State Certificate system, issues concerning the practical introduction of the certificates and the role NGOs can play in the introduction process were discussed. |
Hayk Darbinyan, Deputy Minister of Health, answers journalists' questions |
Ministerial decree of 28 June 2008 requires monitoring of the introduction of the Obstetrical State Certificate System. According to the decree, the monitoring commission includes state officials, local NGO representatives, and personnel of obstetric care facilities. The implementation of the monitoring process is aimed not only at the effective introduction of the Obstetrical State Certificate System, but also at decreasing corruption risks. Apart from this, the Ministry of Health has introduced the opportunity for citizens to combat corruption through a 24-hour hotline service, which allows ministry officials to provide immediate and effective responses to the citizens’ concerns.
MAAC Awards Armenian NGOs Grants to Operate Advocacy and Assistance Centers
14 October 2008 On October 14 MAAC announced that three Armenian NGOs have been awarded grants to operate Advocacy and Assistance Centers (AACs) in Yerevan, Shirak marz, Lori marz, Tavoush marz and Syunik marz. The AACs will provide citizens with advice and assistance in the legal processing of corruption-related complaints and will assist them in addressing grievances and other corruption-related problems, thus serving as an accessible channel for reporting corruption and directing complaints to governmental agencies. The five AACs will become operational starting in November, with another six AACs scheduled to open early next year to support citizens in the six other Armenian marzes.
The three NGOs that have been awarded grants to operate the AACs, are:
- Armenian Young Lawyers Association NGO – to operate the Tavoush marz AAC in Ijevan;
- Civil Society Development Center of Syunik NGO – to operate the Syunik marz AAC in Kapan; and
- Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center NGO – to operate the Lori marz AAC located in Vanadzor, the Shirak marz AAC located in Gyumri, and the Yerevan City AAC.
“Efforts to combat corruption emanate not only from government, but also from their partners in the non-governmental and private sectors,” said Mission Director Phillips. “For results to be achieved, it is essential that AACs be viewed by the institutions of the Government of Armenia as key civil society partners in the fight against corruption. I hope Armenian authorities at all levels will work together with the AACs to help reduce the levels of corruption.”
“The AACs present Armenians with a unique opportunity to resolve corruption-related problems that seemed to be insolvable before,” said François Vézina, Chief Party for the MAAC Activity. “It is crucial for people to break the cradle-to-grave cycle of corruption, and the AACs provide citizens with an effective mechanism to do so,” Vézina added. The MAAC Activity has established the AACs and will support them throughout the life of the grants.
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Tigran Stepanyan, President of the Civil Society Development Center of Syunik NGO, which will operate the Advocacy and Assistance Center in Kapan, with MAAC COP Francois Vezina, after awarding the grant |
Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Young Lawyers Association NGO, which will operate the Advocacy and Assistance Center in Kapan, with MAAC Grants Manager Naira Gyulnazaryan, after awarding the grant |
To read the Armenian version of the news, please click here.
MAAC Supports Public Discussion on Armenia's Draft Anti-Corruption Strategy
| 11 September 2008 On 11 September 2008, MAAC grantee Freedom of Information Center of Armenia NGO organized a regional public discussion on the first and second chapters of Armenia's new Anti-Corruption Strategy currently under development. The discussion took place in Vanadzor and was attended by the representatives of 12 regional NGOs. The event was organized within the framework of the MAAC-funded grant program, aimed at facilitating dialogue between the Anti-Corruption Strategy Monitoring Commission and civil society on the development of the new Anti-Corruption Strategy. The public discussion was the first in the series of discussions organized by the Freedom of Information Center. |
The President of FOICA Shushan Doydoyan speaks about the draft Anti-Corruption Strategy |
The director of the Freedom of Information Center Shushan Doydoyan delivered a presentation, covering the practice, lessons learned, main achievments and gaps in the implementation of the previous Anti-Corruption Strategy. Content of the first two chapters of the New Anti-Corruption Strategy was presented and was followed with a discussion.
Participants came to the conclusion that political will was the key factor for the efficient implrementation of the strategy. Particularly, the representatives of NGOs made the following recommendations;
- The Law on Non-Governmental Organizations must be improved - NGOs should be given the opportunity to carry out business activities without registration, which will enable them to achieve financial independence and thus be able to support civil society establishment;
- Accountability norms for those who give bribes must be strengthened - giving a bribe must be as punishable, as taking a bribe;
- The public must be regularly informed about those who were brought to action for bribery;
- Best international anti-corruption practices should be presented to the public;
- A public monitoring group could be established to regularly control the implementation of the anti-corruption strategy; and
- Educating civil society about corruption and anti-corruption is critical.
The next regional public discussion will take place on 18 September in Gyumri.