The Open Government Partnership initiative (OGP) was represented also in Gyumri and Armavir cities on November 14 and 15, 2014 by “Journalists for the Future” NGO (JFF).
The workshops entitled “Open Government Partnership Initiative”, organized with the financial support of the US Embassy in Armenia, were attended by almost 35 representatives of local CSOs.
Suren Deheryan, JFF president and workshop trainer noted that the OGP regional discussions aim at introducing the representatives of local CSOs the initiative, at listening their comments and proposals on the obligations undertaken by Armenia and informing the stakeholder bodies about them.
[[wysiwyg_imageupload:38:]]“The experience shows that the majority of regional NGOs are not aware of this initiative. Thus, through these discussions we aim to evoke interest among them towards participation in the OGP/Armenia process,” Deheryan states.
The CSO representatives in Gyumri and Armavir got acquainted with the OGP/Armenia first and second Action Plans, the implemented and expected projects on the basis of these plans.
The Open Government Partnership initiative (OGP) was represented also in Gyumri and Armavir cities on November 14 and 15, 2014 by “Journalists for the Future” NGO (JFF).
The workshops entitled “Open Government Partnership Initiative”, organized with the financial support of the US Embassy in Armenia, were attended by almost 35 representatives of local CSOs.
Suren Deheryan, JFF president and workshop trainer noted that the OGP regional discussions aim at introducing the representatives of local CSOs the initiative, at listening their comments and proposals on the obligations undertaken by Armenia and informing the stakeholder bodies about them.
[[wysiwyg_imageupload:38:]]“The experience shows that the majority of regional NGOs are not aware of this initiative. Thus, through these discussions we aim to evoke interest among them towards participation in the OGP/Armenia process,” Deheryan states.
The CSO representatives in Gyumri and Armavir got acquainted with the OGP/Armenia first and second Action Plans, the implemented and expected projects on the basis of these plans.
Referring to 11 obligations included in the OGP/Armenia 2014-2016 Action Plan the workshop participants came to a conclusion that there are more urgent issues that could be involved in this list. For example, according to Armavir CSO representatives, activities against the corruption in the fields of education and healthcare are important rather than the introduction of declarations by high-ranking officials since the society is not provided with accurate information.
[[wysiwyg_imageupload:37:]]As part of the workshops the participants were provided with necessary online literature to learn more about this initiative and get involved in this process.
The range of workshops entitled “Open Government Partnership Initiative” in the regions of Armenia has been launched by JFF since September 2014. Similar workshops were organized in Goris and Alaverdi, which were attended by more than 45 representatives of local CSOs. It is planned to continue this range of workshops in Gavar, Vanadzor and Hrazdan cities. CSOs’ representatives are provided with necessary knowledge and literature on the OGP international initiative, the obligations undertaken by the Armenian Government and the process of its implementation thus aiming to evoke interest among regional NGOs to implement monitoring regarding realization of the OGP Action Plan, as well as supporting representatives of regional CSOs to come up with proposals consistent with the OGP principles.
[[wysiwyg_imageupload:39:]]OGP initiative was created in 2011 by joint efforts of 8 countries: USA, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, South Africa and UK. It is aimed at increasing the publicity of the governors’ activities, promoting the society’s participation in managing the public life, forming more transparent and accountable authorities.
The Project financial supporter: US Embassy in Armenia
The event partner in Gyumri: “Asparez” journalists’ club of Gyumri
The event partner in Armavir: Civic Youth Center of Armavir (founded by “Asparez” journalists’ club of Gyumri)
Source: JNews.am