Statement By Osf-Armenia

STATEMENT BY OSF-ARMENIA

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 13:01:43 – 03/10/2012

The Policy Fellowship Initiative of the OSF-Armenia invites
applications from junior and senior policy researchers eager to carry
out rigorous and innovative study identifying the most critical open
society challenges and developing practical solutions. The aim of
the fellowship is:

* Enhance the capacity of junior researchers to influence the public
policy-making process through mentorship including writing and
methodology workshops

* Foster participation of civil society in the process of public policy
development stimulating debates at all levels of society around the
most important policy areas

Eligibility

The fellowship program is open for civil society representatives,
university faculty, policy researchers, analysts, and advisers. An
advanced university degree in Political or Social Science, Law,
Economics, International Relations or related field is required.

Experience in policy formulation and analysis, advocacy, and
implementation is desirable. Strong and proven research writing
skills is highly desirable. Knowledge of English and Armenian, and
of computer applications is required. Availability of the fellows
to devote significant time to the fellowship is a must. Fellowship
applications will be accepted both from individuals and groups.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Proposal

Applicants are expected to submit research proposals outlining the
following: problem definition and research justification, methodology
of research and applicability of results, as well as an elaborate
advocacy strategy. The proposal should include itemized budget which
can cover such expenses as field work, honorarium, travel costs,
and other necessary expenses. The budget for each fellowship should
not exceed $4000. The time frame for research should be from 3 to
6 months. To be considered, interested applicants must also submit
the resume, copies of previous research work carried out by the
applicant(s), and a full list of publications. The research proposals
should be submitted in English; the research itself can be conducted
either in English or Armenian.

Fellowship expectations and work product

It is expected that the fellows will produce policy papers, and
briefs within the constrains of the 10,000 word limit with concrete
recommendations in their respective areas. In addition to the research
report specifying clear policy recommendations and options, the fellows
may produce a variety of work products, including publications such
as books, reports, innovative public-education projects. Fellows may
also engage in activities such as hosting panel discussions, traveling
to conferences, participating in policy debates, and promoting their
ideas in public venues. Selected applicants will go through a mandatory
training on policy research and writing.

POLICY RESEARCH AREAS

Applicants are invited to submit proposals for research on any
policy-relevant topics or any combination of open society pressing
themes below.

1.Human rights and national security: a strategic linkage or flawed
paradigms

For most of the past two decades, the Armenian government has largely
viewed the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the
protection of national security as in inherent tension. The fellows are
encouraged to question the deep-seated assumption that an effective
protection of national security is bound to overlook international
human rights standards. The policy research should focus on assessing
the idea of bridging Armenia’s human rights and security strategies,
with a particular reference to the general context of human rights
in the army, and the ways the security policy could be reviewed based
on human rights principles.

2.Education Reform

Armenia is in the midst of significant reforms both in mainstream
school system and higher education. While the school system is
shifting towards the primary, middle, and high schools structure,
the higher education reform is being carried out according to
the Bologna requirements. Against this background, the fellows
are expected to investigate various aspects of the reform process
including the changing nature of the education system, relevance
of the education initiatives for the society, public awareness of
the on-going reforms, and corruption perceptions. Applicants are
also encouraged to focus on specific reform-oriented initiatives in
order to assess the shortcomings, challenges and impact of the reform
process on the quality of education, curricula, capacity building of
the teachers and school administration, etc.

3.Online democracy in the context of technological convergence

In the recent years, Armenia’s information operating systems
have undergone major improvements triggered by the rise of digital
communication and access to a new network of communication technology
devices. Given the fact that trust in traditional information sources
is low and seems to be declining, the fellows are invited to evaluate
the benefits of using free social media tools such as Facebook,
Twitter, and Youtube, as well as the prospects of digital convergence
and creation of new forms of media and content. The fellows should
also explore the ways in which the Armenian public and, specifically,
civil society activists use information and communication technologies
to promote their goals, the degree of technological disparity between
various societal groups and the nature of digital divide today, the
themes governing universal access to information technology, and the
long-term social, cultural, and political impact of convergence of
these social networks.

4.Armenian women’s struggle for identity: gender equality in modern
society

Are there any legitimate grounds for development and existence of a
women’s rights movement in this country? Are Armenian women conscience
of the need to struggle against gender subordination, oppression,
and hierarchy? Can the impact of Western feminism on Armenian women’s
perceptions, attitudes, and aspirations be considered positive? Does
emancipation necessarily entail denigrating religious or cultural
values? As part of the process of empowerment, we need to understand
how the image of the Armenian woman has transformed over the last two
decades. The fellows are encouraged to examine the issues surrounding
this debate seeking to provide a sophisticated account of the nature
of relationships between men and women today, changing perceptions of
family relationships and gender roles in the context of globalization,
and the negative effects of internalized sexism.

Application submission

All interested applicants should submit fellowship proposals and
supporting materials to OSF-Armenia by 17.00, October 26th, 2012,
address: 7/1 Tumanyan str., 2nd cul-de-sac and via [email protected].

For questions and additional information you can contact tel.

53-38-62; 53-67-58 or emails: [email protected].

Seminar will be held to answer questions from potential applicants
at 16.00, October 11th, in Combined Room, CONGRESS Hotel

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress