OSCE Office in Yerevan supports Armenian-Turkish friendship project with publication of booklet

YEREVAN, 28 October 2009 - The OSCE Office in Yerevan launched a booklet today featuring essays written by Armenian and Turkish young people and their messages to their countries' leaders as part of a project promoting tolerance and co-operation between young people in the two countries.

The publication, with information in Armenian, Turkish and English, was created as part of an OSCE-supported project promoting tolerance through cultural and educational dialogue, implemented by the Armenian non-governmental organization "The Future is Yours" and the Turkish non-governmental organization "Community Volunteers Foundation". The OSCE Office in Yerevan, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia and the Black Sea Trust for Regional Co-operation provided financial support.

The booklet includes selected essays by some of the 18 Armenian and Turkish young people taking part in the project, as well as information about tolerance, democracy and peace. It also provides cultural information about Armenia and Turkey.

Ruzanna Jagaryan from Armenia wrote about tolerance and its importance for a dialogue: "We can't engage in dialogue without a sense of tolerance. I think that in our case tolerance is not only to see and respect the interests, beliefs and convictions of other people, but also a wish and readiness to go for communication".

Eymen Bakirci from Turkey wrote: "Bridges are the connection points of sides, the connection points of differences. Like the city of Yeghegnadzor which connects different parts of Armenia, like the Bosporus, which connects different continents. Bridges do not only connect lands but also people and cultures. Bridges are not built with stones and cement only but also with art, love, friendship. In short, every contact builds a new bridge and this essay is a bridge between you and me..."

The brochure launch also featured an exhibition of Armenian-Turkish souvenirs and models of friendship bridges, the screening of a short film about the project and a dance performance by children. Project participants also introduced their ideas on future regional co-operation involving youth.

"Security and co-operation are the key words of our Organization, and this project promotes both a secure and stable neighbourhood and co-operation among the OSCE participating states. I hope that this project and this brochure help build a friendship bridge between these two neighbouring countries," said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

Narine Sargsyan, President of "The Future is Yours" added: "By learning about the basics of tolerance, democracy and peace, and visiting each others' countries, the young participants were able to understand and trust each other - all to the benefit of regional stability."