Author: Kanayan Tamar

THREE PHASES NEEDED FOR CAREER ORIENTATION CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, December 24. /ARKA/. Career orientation concept will be
developing in Armenia through the three phases, said Haykuhi Gevorgyan,
a head of Career Orientation Methodological Center at Ministry of
Labor and Social Affairs.

The orientation will advise people in determining their career goals,
according to her.

“Often high school graduates choose the majors which are not demanded
at Armenia’s labor market, and young people, who have already chosen
their major and are studying at universities are not really aware of
their career goals,” Gevorgyan said.

With rational approach and good professional skills, people can work
in their majors setting up and developing their own businesses

“We offer three phases for solving these issues. The first phase
is general education which should imply individual development of
a child, as one of the key components for any career promotion is
personal skills… From very childhood a child should understand what
career means, to plan it literally,” Gevorgyan said.

According to her, the second phase refers to higher educational
institutions.

“It is important to introduce a new academic course, “career
management,” which would cover a broad range of topics, from
self-development to behavior at labor market,” she clarified.

The third platform will be the structure orienting in career through
extra-curricular activities provided by some regional centers.

The government approved the career orientation concept in October 2012.

The system is expected to be introduced in the educational and labor
spheres in 2012-2015. -0-

NEW ARMENIAN LIBRARY OPENED IN AKHALTSIKHA

15:05, 25 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: The official opening of “Vahram
Gayfechian” library kicked off in Samtse-Javakh region. As Armenian
Diocese of Georgia informed Armenpress, the chairman of the union
Alexander Igitkhanyan called the opening of the ceremony symbolic
and related it with the 500th anniversary of the first Armenian
printed book. The chairman of the Union of Armenian intellectuals
Ruben Torosyan and chairman of Armenian musicians in Georgia Artem
Kirakozov welcomed the gathered people. They high estimated the role
of the importance of the library in the frame of approximation the
young generation with Armenian literature. The event was concluded
by a blessing.

EXPERT: ARMENIA-RUSSIA COOPERATION ESSENTIAL FOR FOREIGN POLICY

December 25, 2012 – 15:50 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – 2012 marks the 15th anniversary of signing of
Armenian-Russian treaty of friendship, collaboration and mutual aid,
political expert said.

As Alexander Markarov told a Dec 25 press conference, 2012 was
remarkable for a number of presidential meetings and high-level
bilateral visits.

“Armenian-Russian relations are essential to the both countries’
foreign policy, with CIS, CSTO and other platforms contributing to
the strengthening of the cooperation,” the expert said, noting Yerevan
as a reliable partner.

“It was repeatedly noted during bilateral meetings that development
of ties with Russia is vital to Armenia’s security,” Markarov said,
adding that Armenia pursues balanced foreign policy, cooperating with
both European institutions and CIS countries.

LEVON TER-PETROSYAN REFUSES TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT DUE TO HIS ADVANCED YEARS

ARMINFO
Tuesday, December 25, 14:13

Leader of Armenian National Congress, first president of Armenia
Levon Ter-Petrosyan said in an interview with the local Chorrord
Inqnishkhanutyun newspaper that he has no intention to run for
president on Feb 18 2013 due to his advanced years.

He said he is surprised at the mess over his supposed decision. In
the meanwhile, he thinks that a man at the age of 68, who respects his
people, will not claim presidency. “It is not practiced in developed
democratic countries,” Ter-Petrosyan said.

There are exceptions, indeed, in some emergency cases when there is
external threat to the country or internal chaos. “In such cases,
an elder but authoritative and experienced statesman usually takes
control of the country. In Armenia there is not similar situation. The
power is concentrated in the hands of a group of criminals,” he said.

At the same time, Ter-Petrosyan does not think that his age reason
may seem just a pretext to many people. In this context, the recalled
that yet in 2007 when he announced his intention to run for president
he declared that if elected he would leave politics forever in 3
years to enable younger statesmen to come to power through free and
fair elections.

OUR HOMELAND IS BEING POISONED

01:07 PM | TODAY | POLITICS

Citizen and Homeland are One and the Same

By now it is clear that the rise of big mining in Armenia has been not
a project of the national interest but a privilege of the chosen few,
who have amassed fantastic fortunes while our country descends into
poverty and despair.

In recent years we have witnessed grave violations under the guise
of eminent domain, the destruction of historical monuments, and the
obliteration of vast, prospering ecosystems. In place of lush forests,
lakes of hazardous toxic waste cover Armenia. Our homeland is being
poisoned.

The time for change has come. Today we must stand together to demand:

1) The reevaluation of all mining licenses in Armenia-including
the license issued to the open mine at Teghut, the great forest of
the Lori region;

2) The suspension of all pending licenses, in anticipation of
a comprehensive and multi-faceted parliamentary investigation into
the legality and transparency of the licensing process; and

3) The redrafting of the environmental code and the tax code
to ensure that, in the future, national resources are extracted only
with due regard for the environment and to the benefit of the entire
Armenian people.

We the people wholeheartedly support Armenia’s economic development,
but that will happen in earnest only when rights rule, the environment
commands respect, and the rank-and-file citizen rises to become master
of his homeland.

Raffi K. Hovannisian Citizen, Republic of Armenia December 25, 2012

POINT DE PRESSE DU COMMISSAIRE STEFAN FULE APRES LE CONSEIL DE COOPERATION AVEC L’ARMENIE
Stephane

armenews.com
mardi 25 decembre 2012

Commission Europeenne

MEMO

Bruxelles 17 decembre 2012

J’ai deja dit en Septembre a Erevan que nous nous sommes efforces de
porter notre agenda a un niveau plus eleve. Et ce Conseil ne fait que
confirmer que l’Armenie et l’UE se sont rapprochees l’une de l’autre
de facons concrètes :

Il y a deja quelques reussites specifiques – il y a peu de temps
nous avons signe l’Accord de Facilitation de Visa et le protocole
concernant la participation de l’Armenie dans les programmes de l’UE.

Pour les gens, c’est un resultat visible et tangible de notre proche
partenariat.

Mais il y a encore plus sur notre ambitieux agenda. Les negociations
de l’Accord d’Association, y compris l’Accord de Zone de Libre Echange
Approfondie et Totale ont bien progresse. Pour une conclusion reussie
qui permette aux relations entre l’UE et l’Armenie d’atteindre leur
plus potentiel, il faudra des efforts soutenus de reforme l’annee
prochaine.

Nous accueillons les progrès faits par l’Armenie dans la conduite des
elections parlementaires de mai. En meme temps, nous sommes persuades
que l’Armenie abordera les dernières recommandations de l’OSCE/ODIHR
[l’ODIHR, Office For The Democratic Institutions and Human Rights,
est charge dans les pays de l’OSCE du deroulement des elections, du
developpement democratique, des droits de l’homme, de la tolerance et
de la non discrimination et de l’etat de droit] relatives au contexte
des elections presidentielles en fevrier l’an prochain. C’est une
question cruciale pour une relation fondee sur la communaute des
valeurs des parties.

Nous saluons les efforts de l’Armenie dans le domaine de la bonne
gouvernance et des droits de l’homme. Des defis importants restent
pose, y compris l’independance de la justice et la poursuite des
mesures pour combattre le système de corruption.

Les buts et les ambitions sont clairement definis. A present, il s’agit
de les mettre dans la realite. Les Armeniens peuvent naturellement
compter sur le soutien de l’UE. Nous esperons etre en mesure de faire
une evaluation positive du renforcement de notre relation lors du
sommet du Partenariat Oriental de Vilnius l’an prochain.

Traduction et commentaire de Gilbert Beguian

Il faut que les responsables Armeniens soient particulièrement avises
et cooperatifs pour susciter un communique a ce point elogieux du
Commissaire a l’Elargissement et au Voisinage . Esperons que nos 57
partenaires de l’OSCE, dont font partie les turcs et azerbaïdjanais,
prendront la part qui leur revient face aux efforts du bureau de l’OSCE
charge ” du deroulement des elections, du developpement democratique,

mardi 25 decembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

Portable exhibition of young artists opens in Nagorno-Karabakh’s Shoushi

20:58 – 22.12.12

A portable exhibition of young painters from different world countries
has opened in at the Narekatsi Center of Shoushi, Nagorno-Karabakh
(Artsakh).

The event, entitled Ideal Home, features paintings by children from
Italy, Georgia, Kyrgzstan and Artsakh. Its sponsor is the Fermata Arts
Foundation.

The Center says in a press release that its opening was held on
Friday, just a day before the exhibition.

Ideal Home, which travels to different countries across the globe, has
a mission to approximate cultures and promote peace. Its opening in
Shoushi was attended by state figures and cultural representatives, as
well as the Nagorno-Karabakh minister of culture, Narine Aghbalyan.

Corruption in the education sector reduced, yet there are efforts to
be made: Minister of Education

12:12, 22 December, 2012

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: 2012 was difficult yet productive
year for the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Armenia.
Minister of Education Ashotyan came forth during final press
conference with the journalists launched on December 22.

According to Minister 16 Olympic medals scored by Armenian pupils is
the most important achievements of current year. “This was an
unprecedented success”Ashotyan noted. In the words of the head of the
Ministry the next achievement was Bologna Secretariat decision to
trust Armenia. The investment of ”Chess in schools” program became
international brand in the educational sphere. Minister recalled CIS
pedagogues second conference, where Armenia came forth successfully.

Touching upon the corruption in the field of science and education,
Minister noted it has reduced, yet it has not reduced completely.”
Money collecting especially in capital’s schools has sharply
decreased” Ashotyan came forth with.

>From Teghut to Mashtots Park: Armenian Youth Discuss New Wave of
Activism in Armenia

Activist Yeghia Nersesian makes presentation

LOS ANGELES – A leading figure in Armenia’s environmental movement was
in Los Angeles on December 6th, 2012 speaking at a town hall event
about the looming ecological disaster facing Armenia and the rise of a
new generation of activists, committed to protecting and preserving
their homeland.

The event, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation, ARF `Shant’
Student Associatio), and the All-Armenian Student Association
(All-ASA) featured a discussion led by prominent activist Yeghia
Nersesian of the Save Teghut Movement.

`The government’s support of the Teghut mining project is not only
destroying Armenian lives and villages, but also, by annihilating the
beautiful ecosystem, the leadership is working against their own goals
of increasing tourism,’ explained Nersesian. `Through our
demonstrations and protests, we are not trying to create a revolution
in the country, but instead hope to spark a revolution within
ourselves, as a people and society.’

Nersesian illustrated the consequences of the Teghut mining initiative
and emphasized its negative impact on the country’s ecology and health
of the population in the region. By highlighting the `Save Teghut’
movement along with efforts to save Mashtots Park, Nersesian drew a
connection between the rise of environmental activism among youth in
the country and its connection to increased activism and a larger
movement for democracy in Armenia.

`We believe it is our responsibility to raise awareness in our
community, about the ecological disaster unfolding in Armenia, and
more importantly, about the young men and women risking everything to
try and save our homeland from an irreversible environmental
meltdown,’ said AYF Chairperson, Avedis Shanlian. `It is imperative
that we support and join these activists as they continue to struggle
for a better, more democratic Armenia.’

`Save Teghut’ is an environmental movement that demands an immediate
stop to all mining operations by the Valex group at Teghut Forest.
Though much of the forests many thousands of acres have already been
destroyed, open-pit mining on the mountain has not yet begun. If Valex
is allowed to exploit the mine, the process will destroy the
surrounding eco-system and displace numerous villages in Armenia.

Following Nersesian’s presentation, the audience led a discussion
highlighting the positive progression of Armenian civil society, while
condemning the Armenian government’s lack of accountability to its
people and its broken commitment to upholding democratic principles.

`The fact that we are sitting here today and critically evaluating our
government and the state of country, proves that the 21st century can
give us the tools to make change in a different way; by recognizing
the power of social media and the power of the masses,’ explained
Nersesian. `As citizens, we are responsible for protecting the
well-being of our homeland and we cannot wait for others to defend us
and our country in times of injustice.’

Nersesian concluded the event by emphasizing the importance of
activism in the face of injustice, whether it is in Armenia or in the
Diaspora.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most
influential Armenian American youth organization in the United States,
working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural
awareness of Armenian-American youth.

K. Kocharyan: `I don’t trust any survey in Armenia’

10:19 22/12/2012 » Daily press

At the interview with Aravot.am the political technologist Karen
Kocharyan answered to the question `Whom the electorate of G.
Tsarukyan will shift to?’ saying, `Let’s say to Santa Claus, it’s
written there Robert Kocharyan. We do not know yet. Let them put their
candidacy then we will learn. I do not take part in those silly mental
exercises.’ Karen Kocharyan spoke also about the results of the
surveys held by Gallup and said he doesn’t trust any survey held in
Armenia.