OSCE Office in Yerevan donates computers on the occasion of the International Child Protection Day

YEREVAN, 1 June 2007 - On the occasion of International Child Protection Day, the OSCE Office in Yerevan donated computers to non-governmental organization the Bridge of Hope, and the school of Abovyan Women and Juvenile Colony today.

The donations aim to contribute to these institutions' efforts to help vulnerable groups of children and promote their participation in the community.

"The Istanbul Document adopted in the year of the 10th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child stresses that defending the rights of children is an important part of the work of the OSCE. With its Human Rights Programme, the Office in Yerevan is developing new associative networks and synergies with partners in non-formal and formal education fields in Armenia," said Ms. Silvia Pogolsa, Human Rights Officer in OSCE Office in Yerevan.

"Since 1996 the Bridge of Hope has been working to help children with disabilities overcome their isolation by facilitating access to education, providing support and services, empowering their families and raising public awareness of the harm done by existing prejudices. This donation will be a significant contribution in this respect," said Susanna Tadevosyan, the president of Bridge of Hope.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan will further provide assistance to children with disabilities by promoting volunteer work in Armenia in co-operation with the Voluntary Service of Armenia - Republican Headquarters of Student Bridges, supporting the Rehabilitation Center for children with motor disorders and cardiovascular disease. The programme is designed to enhance children's rights through intercultural communication and learning.