The
Human Rights Defender’s Office of Armenia, and UNICEF Armenia held a
meeting-discussion event themed “For children-with children” in Sotk community
of the enlarged community of Vardenis in Gegharkunik province of Armenia.
The event which was organized on June 1 was attended by around 230 persons,
including more the 170 children living in the border communities of Gegharkunik
province. Representatives of state and local self-governing bodies also
attended the event.
The participants were greeted and congratulated on the occasion of the
International Day for Protection of Children by the Human Rights defender Ms.
Anahit Manasyan, and the Representative of UNICEF Armenia Ms. Christine
Weigand.
The Defender stressed that the idea to organize and hold the event in Sotk
community was formed when she first visited the border communities of
Gegharkunik province at the beginning of May.
“I would like to thank UNICEF Armenia for its readiness to support our idea. It
was a chief priority for us to engage all children from the border communities.
I would like to reinstate that it is crucial for me that we are able to present
children in these communities with an opportunity for a festivity, and to be
part of it ourselves. I wish that the childhood of all children is filled with
happiness and joy, and that you are surrounded with love and care” noted the
Defender.
Ms. Manasyan emphasized that regardless of place or conditions of living, every
child has the right to lead a dignified life, and it should be a priority for
the state to create the necessary conditions for that.
“It
is not the circumstances of life that we face which matter, but how we deal
with them, and what opportunities we take out of them. I believe we can draw
serious opportunities for the future from all the circumstances we face in
life. In this context, I would like to register again that it is very important
for us to be able to spend this day here, next to the children of the border
communities" added the Defender.
Ms. Christine Weigand noted that today is a double occasion to celebrate for
UNICEF; the International Day for Protection of Children and the Global Day of
Parents.
“I am very happy that we could share this day with children and adolescents in
Sotk and listen to the issues they voiced and discuss their potential
solutions” noted Ms. Weigand.
She specifically underlined that children in every community have the right to
grow up in healthy in a secure environment, and to receive the quality
education and all the social services necessary for development.
“UNICEF will continue working with the Defender’s Office and other partners to
support children and their families in Vardenis community and across Armenia”
state the Representative of UNICEF Armenia.
The overarching objective of the event was to promote children’s rights to
participate in decisions that concern them, their right to be heard and to
express their opinion freely, by creating a child-centered platform where
children, and young people presented the issues that concerned them the most
and discuss those with experts of the field.
A number of discussions on child’s rights were organized with the participation
of the Human Rights Defender, the representatives of the Defender’s Office and
UNICEF Armenia, and experts of relevant state bodies. The topics spanned from
children’s protection in the family and in the community, education and social
inclusion, bullying and discrimination, and the realization of the right to
health of children.
A drawing session themed “My rights” was organized for preschoolers, and
children from elementary schools, while the Family and Community NGO organized
a puppet show called “True friend”.
At the end of the event, the children shared their impressions, and summarized
the results of thematic discussions which were held.
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