OSCE Office in Yerevan co-organizes international workshop on education reform in Armenia

YEREVAN, 5 April 2006 - An international workshop aiming to help further reform in Armenia's education system has attracted more than 80 officials and international experts from Norway, Serbia, Latvia and Georgia.

Participants in the three-day workshop, organized jointly by the OSCE Office in Yerevan, the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation, the British Council and UNICEF, are sharing experiences and best practices in the field of education policy and management, as well as education fostering democratic citizenship.

"We appreciate the co-operation with international organizations as their experience helps us reform the education system in a democratic manner, which is a strategic goal for the Republic of Armenia" said Education and Science Minister Sergo Yeritsyan.

Jeannette Kloetzer, OSCE Economic and Environmental Officer in Yerevan, said the OSCE considers environmental education, particularly of children and youth, crucial.

"Environmental issues should be an integral part of education for democratic citizenship as fully informed and empowered citizens benefit democracy, stability and security," she said.

She urged participants in the workshop, which ends Thursday, to take advantage of the National Environmental Information Centres (Aarhus Centres) established in Yerevan and the Armenian provinces of Syunik, Tavush and Lori. The centres give the public access to environmental information.