Armenian Caritas conference “15 years against poverty”, which took place on 7th of October, was devoted to the 15 Anniversary of Armenian Caritas Benevolent NGO and proclamation of 2010 as a “Year Against Poverty” in Europe.
Armenian Caritas conference “15 years against poverty”, which took place on 7th of October, was devoted to the 15 Anniversary of Armenian Caritas Benevolent NGO and proclamation of 2010 as a “Year Against Poverty” in Europe.
Already 15 years Armenian Caritas struggles against poverty, which is hidden in poor shelters, distance rural communities and in poor people appeared in difficult situations. The organization has expended its activity in four Armenian regions (Shirak, Lori, Tavush, Gegharkuniq) providing direct assistance, social and health services, implementing community development and migration prevention projects for vulnerable people living in these regions.
Poverty fact is accepted in Armenia but its real scopes and difficult situation in some layers of the society isn’t spoken up. The main purpose of the conference was to observe poverty data and its different manifestations in Armenia and to publicize this data.
The conference was held in the frames of Armenian Caritas joint campaign “Zero Poverty”, which was started in May. The conference is part of events against poverty, which launched in January by Caritas Europe and marked 2010 as a “Year Against Poverty” in Europe.
Caritas Europe member organizations invested great efforts in bringing poverty topic into agenda. In particular, Caritas speaks about data, individual stories and poverty’s tendencies to deteriorate.
At the beginning of the conference Gyumri Diocese Priest of Armenian Catholic Church and Armenian Caritas Board member Father Grigor Mkrtchyan addressed participants conveying the message of Armenian Caritas President Supreme Archimandrite Father Vahan Ohanyan.
Then the founder of Armenian Caritas Zvart Nadjarian told about the idea motivations for Armenian Caritas founding, the issues they had and the first devotees of Armenian Caritas. Project manager Samvel Gevorgyan in the name of Armenian Caritas expressed gratitude to Ms. Nadjarian for her devoted work and presented her with symbolic 15 years old cognac.
Chief secretariat of Caritas Europe Jorge Nuño Mayer and project manager of Caritas Georgia Liana Mkheidze congratulated Armenian Caritas on the 15th anniversary.
The executive director of Armenian Caritas Benevolent NGO Anahit Mkhoyan spoke about implemented and current projects, poverty prevention, struggle and strategy. Statistical data of poverty social condition in Armenia mentioned in 2009 report of National Statistical Service was presented by the AC board member Linda Gamova.
The first part of the conference was concluded by the photo presentation of poverty condition in Gyumri taken by Anush Babajanyan.
The second part of the conference was devoted to the experience that the partner organizations have in the struggle against poverty. Hripsime Manukyan from UNDP/United Nation Development project/ Armenian office, Romanos Harutyunyan from World Vision and Hovsep Arzumanyan from “Orran” Benevolent NGO spoke about poverty issue.
The conference was closed with Ms. Mkhoyan’s words of thanks. Then the guests were invited to taste the celebratory cake of Armenian Caritas the 15 anniversary. The honor of cutting the cake was given to Ms. Nadjarian, Father Grigor Mkrtchyan and CORDRAID representative Joep van Zijl. With immediate support of these people Armenian Caritas was established and became an important part in civil society fighting against various issues raised in the society.
About 70 representatives participated in the conference from:
- Caritas Europe Organizations,
- The Ministries of RA Diaspora, Economics, Social Issues, Culture and Emergency Situations,
- Italy, Germany and Georgia Embassies,
- Armenian office of UNO development projects and Main Commissioner for Refugees,
- USAID,
- Jinishyan Memorial Foundation,
- “World Vision” Christian Benevolent organization,
- “Orran” Benevolent NGO,
- Mass-Media.