EUROPEAN WINDOW
February 25, 2010
The goal of the European Window series of articles published by 168 Hours newspaper and www.168.am web site is to provide Armenian readers detailed and understandable information concerning the process of European integration, the European institutions involved in this process as well as the political and civic life in Europe. The European Window series of articles also covers information concerning the European Neighborhood Policy Instrument (ENPI) and the projects to be implemented in Armenia in its frame . The European Window also serves as a platform for opinions and viewpoints concerning all aspects of interaction between Armenia and the EU. This supplement has been produced with the assistance of the European Commission. The content of this supplement is the sole responsibility of “168 Hours” Newspaper and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European...
Editorial
February 25, 2010
Protection of socially vulnerable groups of the society is and has always been one of the main issues in Armenia. The government certainly takes into account the necessity of financial expenses on these groups when developing projects or development plans. However practically it is impossible to solve the complex issues of the social sector with the resources of the government only. This is one of the sectors where it is impossible to be success with financial resources only. The approach of the society is important as well because there are stereotypes that have to be broken. In the recent times there have been tangible improvements in this direction also due to the international support for social projects. The Eastern Partnership Project of the European Union launched in spring 2009 envisages complex solutions of the issues in the social sector, which includes issues concerning the relative infrastructures. The social sector is included in the priorities of the Eastern Partnership Project. The social reforms...
The way of wealthy society
February 25, 2010
During discussions on social issues people often refer to the European Social Policy (ESP). Very few people in our country can say what the ESP means. The name itself and the imaginations about the working conditions of European people help us understand that it is a policy which eventually helps to develop their living conditions. However, the development of living conditions is only one of the goals of the ESP. The social policy implemented in European countries is also targeted at the development of working conditions, encouragement of employment and creation of equal opportunities, creation of the minimum standards of social protection. For the purpose of reaching these goals there are tools such as the European social foundation, projects, legislation, as well as the norms and regulations in separate countries. Even though the European policy has improved much in the social sector, and the legal acts in separated countries are being made consistent with the European requirements, there is a long way to...
Fighting poverty via education
Marine MARTIROSYAN | February 25, 2010
When in March 2009 the EU Eastern Partnership program was launched, which also implies the inclusion of non-governmental organizations, local government bodies in various processes, the residents of Tavoush marz couldn’t’ even imagine that the program could somehow be linked to their region. Tavoush occupies the second place of employment after Gegharkunik marz. With the co-financing of the EU about a year ago a program was launched by the German DVV-international in Tavoush marz, the purpose of which is the reduction of poverty in the marz via active research. Since 2002 the DVV-international won the competition initiated by the EU in 2008. Let us mention that the cooperation of the DVV-international with the EU was registered in 2004 in Georgia. The DVV-international established adult education centers in Akhalkalak and Ahkaltskha. Indeed, the goal of the program was not the fight of poverty via adult education but the sharing of human rights knowledge and integration with the Georgian society. Since...
Stereotypes gradually broken
February 25, 2010
That’s right, mostly they look at the disabled with pity. And this happens in the event when the disabled feel very bad about this pity. The disabled people are as full members of the society as all the others. They have the same rights as the others and they can deal with everything that is legal, including sports. The sports for disabilities allow the people to integrate fully with the society, strengthen their self-esteem and become a full member of the society. That is the reason why in Europe they pay a special attention to the needs of the disabled and the development of sports for the disabled. But in our country people are pretty skeptical about these sports; others are very surprised or feel sorry. But this is not all. The problem gets even worse when the attitude to the disabled changes. If in the developed countries the sports complexes are free for the disabled then in our country those places are not only not free but sometimes they forbid the access of the disabled. “When we were going...
 Archive
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Against poverty
February 25, 2010
The European Commission pronounced 2010 as a year of fight against poverty and social discrimination. This initiative was presented in Madrid jointly with the Spanish government. This initiative will be conducted with the slogan “Let’s stop the poverty today.” “Very often in the period of economic crises the most vulnerable groups suffer,” stated the president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barossa. He also added that the initiative should benefit from the opportunities existing today in order to build a more equal and integrated society. This is considered one of the main components of the EU development program 2020. Poverty still continues to be considered a serious issue even for the wealthiest European societies. Approximately 80 million Europeans (17% of the population of the EU) live in conditions lower the poverty line and the level of lifestyles continues to worry the EU residents. According to the polls of the Euro Barometer center 73% of the EU citizens considers...
People with UN-limited opportunities
February 25, 2010
The destiny has hit an Irishman Derek Farely with such a strength that will allow him to make dozens of people get on knees. By being happy, at the age of 30 by being a strong manager with high salary he faced the “dry-out.” One day without any obvious reason his legs were petrified and he was clung to bed. The wife left him by leaving 4 teenage children in the husband’s custody. No job, no family and no health. Some other person may have just given up. But Derek decided to struggle. He is currently as successful as before. And even more famous. He was able to help not only himself but millions of people like him to struggle against insecurities. The bold ideas of Derek allowed the people with limited physical abilities to do things, which millions of healthy people do every day. For example, he has established the mobility shop service, which operates in the supermarkets of Ireland. He has started with making agreements with 5 stores, which were supposed to form relevant halls. There people...
The situation is bad
January 28, 2010
During the past 30 years 140,000 hectare of sowing lands and 300,000 hectare of grassland have been left out of order as a result of erosion and landslide. Only 3.5% of the 114,000 hectare of land, which was spoilt as a result of erosion, was recovered. The green area of forests has been cut down to 8-9% from 11.2%. The situation of the atmosphere is not good either, especially in Yerevan, Alaverdi, Vanadzor and Hrazdan. This information is posted in the sections telling about the ecological situation in Armenia in a number of foreign journals and newspapers....
Close or not close?
January 28, 2010
In the relations with Armenia the European Union consistently raised the issue of closing down the atomic station in Metsamor. During different periods of time various deadlines were defined for that. Currently they are speaking of the possibility that the atomic station of Metsamor may be closed down by 2016-2018 in the event of providing alternative means of electric power. In general, the issue of atomic energy has always been in the center of the UN, EU and other international structures. In this regard, although the Armenian ecologists agree with their European counterparts but they have certain pretentions. “Indeed, you will never find an ecologist, who will be OK with the existence of an atomic plant. But the experience has showed that in the conditions of blockade without the atomic station we will be on the way of destruction,” this is the opinion of the majority of Armenian experts. They don’t find it expedient to close down Metsamor atomic plant until alternative means of energy are...
Crisis and nature protection
January 28, 2010
The global crisis has affected all the sectors including the nature protection. However, in this case it turns out that it affected in the good meaning. For example, by summing up the results of the last year the Nature Protection Minister Aram Harutyunyan mentioned that due to the crisis not only the nature protection projects were not adjourned but also due to the cease of the operation of several factories the environment didn’t receive too many poisonous substances. As they say, there are no takes without gives. The harmful rumors by the way may claim that the global crisis was invented by the ecologists....
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