A handbook on “Design and Implementation of the Competency-based Study Programs” for universities was developed as a result of the project on “Development of Methodology for Designing Multi-cycle Competency based Course Programs,” supported by the foundation and implemented by the National Center for Strategic Research in Higher Education NGO. During the implementation of the project, the methodology for developing outcome-based programs was presented in four universities of Armenia: Yerevan State University, Yerevan State Linguistic University, Vanadzor State Pedagogic Institute Gyumri State Pedagogic Institute. The handbook was approved by the Ministry of Science and education and National Institute of Education and was recommended to be used as a guide for universities of Armenia. The handbook was published with funding from the National Tempus office. The electronic version of the handbook is available at http://www.osi.am/links.asp.

6/16/2010

Today, Orran turns 10 years old. Throughout the month, as it celebrates its decade of existence, it is proud to present a record of helping thousands of destitute families in need. More than 700 children have been taken off the street or brought back from its brink in the cities of Yerevan and Vanadzor. Over 450 elderly have found comfort in having a hot meal every day under the roof of Orran. Thousands have been helped with dental, medical, psychological and social services. Families who have been left homeless have been gifted with a home. . Parents have been helped with locating jobs. Children, who could not imagine a higher education, have been tutored for admission exams. Kids whose imagination was limited to the street have been guests at cultural centers, historical monuments, theaters and concerts. They have hosted famous artists, politicians, humanitarians.

Founder Armine K. Hovannisian recalls how Orran was established "In the evenings, as Raffi and I came out of the theater or a restaurant, we would inevitably see a child's extended hand, the ones with a bit more pride would have a flower in their hand. We could not imagine that in our independent homeland, we had children who were hungry and had to resort to begging." And so, on April 19, 2000, the Hovannisians established Orran with 16 children. But soon with the assistance of many friends, family members and eventually the public at large, Orran grew and today embraces 150 children and 60 elderly in its two centers.

"Many people have been instrumental in Orran's birth and development. In our initial days, Gerard and Cleo Cafesjian, David and Linda Hovannisian, Ralph and Janet Hovannisian, Carolyn Mugar and Dr. Garo Armen were very generous with their support. A year later, an annual commitment of $60,000 from Krikor and Anna Krikorian ensured the sustainability of our growth. A generous annual commitment by VivaCell-MTS, through General Manager Ralph Yirikian allowed us to start thinking of our expansion into the city of Vanadzor. With a matching grant, the Open Society Institute made sure that it happened in the fall of 2009. The CISP of Rome found Orran and secured a grant of 230,000 Euros from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy for the construction of the Vanadzor center. Corporate donors joined the individuals, Marriott Armenia Hotel, HSBC Bank, Byblos Bank. And hundreds and hundreds of people helped throughout the world" explains Mrs. Hovannisian.

At the threshold of a new decade, Orran can proudly say that it has, is and will continue carrying out its mission to: Divert children from the streets and engage them in academic, cultural, and extra-curricular activities Fight the concept of beggar children as the principal breadwinners of their families Help families in "crisis"Assist the lonely and needy elderly; Identify and develop children's interests and talents towards a working career; Prevent the spread of destitution and begging among Armenia's children and elderly If you would like more information on Orran, please visit www.Orran.am.

4/20/2010

February 18, Yerevan: Paolo Dieci , CISP Director and Legal Representative and Orran founder Armine K. Hovannisian signed an agreement laying the foundations for the construction of a an Orran center in Vanadzor. The 230,000 Euros is the gift of the Italian Foreign Ministry and comes to confirm once again the Italian’s people’s camaraderie with the Armenian people. “We were very impressed to learn of the tremendous work that Orran has been doing in helping families in need. Our organization works in 25 different countries mostly in projects involving children’s rights. We applied to the Italian Foreign Ministry with the request to assist Orran in building a center in Vanadzor, and received approval” stated Mr. Dieci.

The construction of the four story building on a 1000 square meters land will start immediately. “We are so happy that CISP and the Italian government came to support our work and to add to the generous donation of Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Anna Krikorian who had commenced the project with a $250,000 donation in the year 2008” explains Armine Hovannisian.

The Orran center in Vanadzor was founded on leased premises in September of 2009 with the financial support of the Open Society Institute and VivaCell-MTS. Currently there are 50 needy children receiving a daily hot meal, tutorial, medical, psychological and social services. The children are also learning skills in pottery and woodcraft. Once the construction of the new building is completed, more children will be embraced in the program.

If you would like more information on Orran, please refer to www.orran.am.

2/23/2010

Electronic bulletin on the main activities implemented in the field of HIV/AIDS during September-December 2009 in the Republic of Armenia is made available. Click here to download the bulletin.

2/19/2010

The Fall 2009 issue of the Open Society Institute Scholarship Program’s ScholarForum journal showcases the analysis, reflections, thoughts and commentary of grantees and alumni. Education forms the topical focus of the issue, with the regional gaze cast to Southeast Asia.

The home countries of many OSI scholars are frequently the subject of ongoing international and national critiques of educational policy. In Central Asia, claims of corruption are rife as wages for teachers are barely enough to help them make ends meet. Those affected most by reforms (faculty, school administrators, parents and, of course, the students themselves) are often not consulted, thereby excluding the opinions and interests of those closest to the system. Societies, it seems, can ill afford to let educational development fall out of step with a country’s needs. For politicians and the public, it is becoming increasingly clear that education is crucial to a nation’s political and economic development in an increasingly integrated world.

Southeast Asia: an area rich with challenges and opportunities for scholarship grantees and alumni. ScholarForum contrasts a light-hearted look at a New Year’s celebration in Laos with an experience of personal and academic liberation for a Burmese grantee in an effort to highlight the contrasting experiences that shape the personal development of our scholars in this region.

This issue also features an interview with the Open Society Fellow and former OSI-supported scholar Evgeny Morozov, who reflects on his scholarship time and current activities.

To access the latest version of the Scholar Forum in a pdf format click here.

11/2/2009

The global economic crisis has impacted most societies, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized groups. In his efforts to mitigate the impact of crisis on disadvantaged people, Mr. George Soros pledged $100 million to charities in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics, including Armenia. The emergency funds will be used to support humanitarian projects that will help people hardest hit by the crisis and will target innovative interventions aimed at maintaining support for open society values.

In Armenia, one of the most affected groups is needy and street children as well as lonely elderly. There are certain organizations that have programs to care for, educate and entertain such children, such as Orran benevolent foundation which currently serves more than 120 elderly people and children it its Yerevan center. As the need for such centers has grown due to crisis, especially in the areas outside of capital city, the Open Society Institute (OSIAF-Armenia) allocated $74,000 to help establish and run an Orran Center in Vanadzor city for more than 50 children for a whole year. This amount was complimented by another $25,000 donated by Viva Cell MTS. With this project OSI, Viva Cell MTS and Orran strive to divert children from the streets and engage them in academic, cultural, and extra-curricular activities, fight the concept of beggar children as the principal breadwinners of their families, help families "in crisis", assist the lonely and needy elderly, identify and develop children's interests and talents toward a working career and prevent the spread of destitution and begging among Armenia's children and elderly.

The opening ceremony of Vanadzor Center of Orran took place on October 12, 2009 in the newly renovated premises. Welcoming those present, Mrs. Armine Hovhannisyan, the founder and chairwoman of Orran, mentioned that she was moved by the plight of needy and vagabond children and decided to open a center to enable these children find care and assistance. She wished that there may come a time when the need for such centers will no more be there. In her speech, Ms. Larisa Minasyan, the Executive director of OSIAF-Armenia stressed the importance of the initiative and OSI’s commitment to assist people in need in the times of crisis and promote open society values. The General Manager of Viva Cell MTS Mr. Ralph Yirikyan mentioned that like his own children, he would like every child to have a safe roof above their heads and that all this is done for the future of present generation.

Representatives from donor parties, media, city administration, other NGOs and private businessmen and newly recruited center beneficiaries were present. The event was widely covered in local broadcast media. Pictures of the Vanadzor center and the opening ceremony can be viewed here.

Apart from this project, OSI Emergency Fund enabled to fund “Ororots” project of Women with University Education to provide newborn babies of impoverished families with necessities in remote rural areas and Zangakatun project of Tufenkian Foundation to care for families, children and elderly needing counseling and assistance. Another project whereby 120 children from several special schools could enjoy summer rest has recently been completed.

10/15/2009

June 19 (Bloomberg)

George Soros, the billionaire hedge- fund manager born in Hungary, pledged $100 million to charities in the former Soviet republics, eastern Europe and the Balkans to help counteract the effects of the global recession.

“In times of economic crisis, the most vulnerable are the ones hurt the most, and the youth, the next generation, are the key targets of this initiative,” Soros, 78, said yesterday in a statement.

The money will be distributed in 20 countries based on recommendations by local Soros foundations. The charities could include anything from cultural institutions at risk of closing to helping families buy lunches in schools, said Laura Silber, director of public affairs for Soros’s Open Society Institute.

The contribution was reported earlier by the Financial Times. Soros committed $50 million to the Robin Hood Foundation last month to help New York City’s poor, saying “people in New York are struggling and it’s right that those with the ability to help should step forward.”

Soros is founder of Soros Fund Management LLC, which oversees about $21 billion. The New York-based firm’s Quantum Endowment Fund returned 17.8 percent this year through May, after climbing 8 percent in 2008.

The original article can be accessed at Bloomberg.com

6/22/2009

Global Day of Action to free Drs. Alaei

Today, May 12, 2009, Physicians for Human Rights USA organises a Global Day of Action for the brothers Kamiar and Arash Alaei, two medical doctors involved in harm reduction and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Iran. They have been detained for almost a year and sentenced to prison in Tehran. The Iranian government says they used trips to AIDS conferences worldwide to stimulate a 'velvet' revolution. Their first appeal was denied; they are on their last appeal and need worldwide support. In several countries, including Ukraine, Argentina, USA, Mexico, Russia, Argentina, Kenya, the Netherlands and Thailand events are being organised today. May 12, 2009 Read more...

Health and human rights of injecting drug users in Asia

Approximately 13 million people inject drugs worldwide, of which some 5 million live in Asia. In many parts of the world, national governments have focused their response on criminalizing drug-related activities. In some countries, people who use drugs are sent to compulsory drug treatment centres. A new WHO report deals with compulsory drug treatment centres in four countries in Asia, namely, China, Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam. It describes the treatment and HIV-related interventions provided at the centres, and attempts to assess these from a human-rights based perspective, in particular the '3AQ' criteria (of Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability and Quality) and the principles of equality and non-discrimination, participation and accountability.

May 11, 2009 Read more...

New tool: Universal Human Rights Index

The Universal Human Rights Index is a new research tool in the field of international human rights, aimed to facilitate students' and academic staff's researches in that field. The Index is operated and updated by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The database provides instant access to human rights information from the United Nations system. At present, it contains the conclusions and recommendations of the seven International Human Rights Treaty Bodies (since 2000) and of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council (since 2006), including the works of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health. In addition, recommendations made in the framework of the new Universal Periodic Review will soon be included in the Index.

May 7, 2009 Read more...

WHO Scientific Resource Group on Health Equity Analysis and Research

The World Health Organization (WHO) is establishing a Scientific Resource Group on Health Equity Analysis and Research. Members will advise WHO on strategic directions, work plan content, objectives and priorities, as well as contribute to products and services in particular those relating to measurement, monitoring, evaluation, analysis and research. Up to 25 members will be selected on the basis of their knowledge and expertise on equity and health. Experts from research and training institutions, universities, ministries, other institutes, governmental and non-governmental, as well as from other UN organizations, development banks, etc. are sought to participate in this group. Individuals from low- and middle-income countries and women are especially encouraged to apply. Interested people can nominate themselves or someone else until 15 May 2009. April 23, 2009 Read more...

Update: the case of Dr Binayak Sen

Last April, The Lancet reported on the case of Binayak Sen, an Indian paediatrician and human rights activist who has been imprisoned since two years. He has not been convicted of any crime but is being held in custody in a prison in the State of Chhattisgarh on terrorism charges. One of the concerns raised in the news report is Dr Sen’s deteriorating health and his lack of access to medical care. New information has just come to light which suggests that the authorities in Chhattisgarh are actively interfering with Sen’s need for health care. Here follows a summary of his medical case. April 23, 2009 Read more...

USA: Secret report on torture in hidden prisons now public

A 2007 report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which was kept secret for two years, has now become public. Fourteen men imprisoned in Guantanamo were interviewed over many days for the report. The stories describe daily life in the secret prisons for the first time in a publicly available account. The report confirms that the United States tortured prisoners in the secret prisons – the so-called Black Sites – in Europe and elsewhere. It details the various methods and 'enhanced techniques' the CIA used to interrogate prisoners in secret prisons around the world. The report also states that the participation of medical personnel, directly or indirectly, in monitoring the interrogation of terrorism suspects tortured in the secret facilities "constituted a grave breach of medical ethics." Health personnel were directly involved in monitoring the health effects of the ill-treatment; and in some cases this monitoring "amounted to participation in torture and/or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment", the Red Cross states. April 10, 2009 Read more...

Independent fact-finding mission to the Gaza Strip and Egypt

An independent fact-finding mission of medical experts from Europe and South Africa recently published its special report on the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. The offensive took place from 27 December 2008 to 18 January 2009. The report was commissioned by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel and the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS). One week earlier, IFHHRO member Physicians for Human Rights-Israel published its own report, which stated that Israeli soldiers repeatedly acted in violation of the army's code of ethics, the medical code of ethics, and basic human values. These findings are confirmed by the conclusions of the report of the fact-finding mission. Five independent experts in the fields of forensic medicine, burns, medical response to crises and public health, from Germany, Denmark, South Africa and Spain, traveled to Gaza between 29 January and 5 February 2009, and then to hospitals in Egypt, where some of the most seriously wounded were being treated. In their report, they detail 44 testimonies by civilians who came under attack, and by medical staff who were prevented from evacuating the wounded. April 10, 2009 Read more...

5/13/2009

A two-language professional website, www.healthrights.am, a joint project of the Open Society Institute Law and Health Initiative (LAHI) and the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation—Armenia is created to disclose and disseminate corresponding international and local news and updates, key documents, ongoing events and related topics.

3/12/2009

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, express our deep concern with the presidential elections on February 19, 2008, the pre-election period, the election campaign and the post-election processes in the country. The assessment of international observers, even though portrayed in a positive light by the government and the government controlled media, was critical. However, the apparent discrepancy between the actual findings of the assessment with the formative first two sentences of the report resulted in the government only referring to this paragraph in the international observers’ assessment in order to legitimize the results of the election. Meanwhile, in the report, international observers pointed out to media censorship, intimidation of voters, vote buying, etc. and called vote count ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ in 16 percent of polling stations visited. Qualifying such practices as a “step forward” and in line with the commitments to hold free and fair elections discredits the notion of democracy and further lowers the standards of democratic reforms.

A number of undersigned organizations observed the elections during the voting day as well as the process prior and post February 19. The instances of violations are numerous and are documented in our reports.

We are particularly concerned with the Freedom of Media/Access to Media, Violence, Corruption and Use of Administrative Resources, Arrests of Public Figures.

One of the main points that the OSCE/ODHIR observation mission made in its interim report concerned the need to establish public trust in the electoral process. Deep rooted mistrust and often-referred-to public apathy is nothing else but self-preservation reaction of the Armenian people vs. the atmosphere of impunity for those who perpetrated electoral fraud in all past elections. The processes taking place after the elections are alarming and will definitely deepen the public distrust.

We believe that as long as electoral fraud goes uninvestigated and unpunished, there will be no trust in the process and in the legal and judicial system.

We believe that only through open and widely inclusive public discussion over the above stated problems and violations it is possible to foster the atmosphere of trust and public confidence.

In view of the above, we state that this election was not held in correspondence with our understanding of democratic values and practices.

We believe that the way the authorities handle the fraud will be indicative of the honest determination to abide by the rules of democratic free and fair elections.

We call upon the Armenian government to stop politically motivated detentions. These are not calls for impunity, but a call for the government to set the example for the Armenian people and to act within the law.

We call upon the international community to see through the commitment of the Armenian government to comply with the procedure and to require documentation of proper investigation and due punishment of those who violated the law.

We call upon the international community to make objective conclusions based on their own findings and not to discredit the notion of democracy, democratic standards and principles, as well as the international organizations carrying out an observation mission.

Signatories

Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression

Helsinki Committee of Armenia

Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor Branch

“Asparez” Journalists’ Club

“Internews-Armenia” Media Support NGO

Media Diversity Institute

Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation-Armenia

Transparency International Anti-corruption Center

Yerevan Press Club

To read the Armenian version, please click here

2/27/2008