We could show that professional environmental journalism is important for the country.

With the help of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, the Aarhus Centre was opened in 2002. The OSCE provided technical assistance, renovated the space, created the environmental library and provided computers as well as Internet access. Although the OSCE is not part of the Board of Experts, it participates in all meetings and supports many projects.

Thanks to the help of the OSCE, the Aarhus Centre now plays a significant role in Armenian society. It raises the awareness for environmental problems and shows ways through which the human right for a healthy environment can be protected. We do this by providing free access to an environmental library and the Internet, hosting seminars and public hearings on environmental legislation, and by paying particular attention to environmental education.

The Environmental NGO Coalition that nowadays is an important player in the environmental life has also been created thanks to the joint efforts of the Centre and the OSCE. Another concrete example of our co-operation is a competition for the best environmental media coverage, now running in the third year throughout Armenia. With this initiative, we could show that professional environmental journalism is important for the country — and as a result of our work, the Yerevan State University recently introduced a course on environmental journalism.

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