Open Society Foundations Yerevan Conference is concluding its work
00:00, October 8, 2011 | Press Release
What Future for Democracy and Civil Society, a three-day international conference in Yerevan concluded its work today.
The data and research presented by the formulated working groups is summarized today.
Referring to the challenges of international promotion of democracy, Artur Sakunts, Chairman of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor, mentioned that mass media has an important role in protecting human rights, but because of media censorship it significantly decreases the effectiveness of human rights’ organizations, so there are many challenges.
Levon Barseghyan, President of Asparez Journalists’ Club in Gyumri, stated that in terms of development projects, it would be easier if the funding organizations first established, whether the societies in those countries would actually like to see some contribution to some fields.
Referring to the transparency about development projects from the implementing countries, he gave the example of freezing funding for the construction of country roads, included in the program of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. ‘The government speakers are trying to present this fact as evidence as though “Americans don’t like us”…’ stated L. Barseghyan, who gave the actual reasons while presenting the reasons for cutting the funding of the project.
Source: www.1in.am