OSCE Office holds open lesson to commemorate World Environment Day in Armenia

YEREVAN, 6 June 2006 - The OSCE Office in Yerevan marked World Environment Day yesterday by holding an open lesson for around 30 schoolchildren and teachers together with the Public Environmental Information Centre (Aarhus Centre).

World Environment Day, established by the United National General Assembly in 1972, aims to promote worldwide awareness of the environment and attract political and public attention.

"Environmental degradation, unsustainable use of natural resources, mismanagement of waters and pollution have a negative impact on health, welfare, stability and human security," said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "Protecting the environment is an obligation for all of us."

During the lesson, Ambassador Pryakhin introduced environmental publications and posters produced with the OSCE Office's support and encouraged participants to use resources available at the Aarhus Centre.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan has been implementing an environmental programme since 2000, focusing its activities on promoting the principles of the Aarhus Convention, which include access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice on environmental matters. The Office has established a network of Aarhus Centres in Armenia and organizes annual competitions for journalists to encourage environmental journalism.