OSCE Office supports events involving socially disadvantaged children from Armenia

YEREVAN, 16 November 2010 - Winners of OSCE-supported painting and essay contests for children were announced today at an event marking the International Tolerance day. 

Around 100 students from secondary schools, children from night care centres and from Abovyan penitentiary institution in Armenia took part in the contests on the theme "How we can improve our lives" to promote social and educational activities, human rights awareness and develop professional skills of teen-agers of various social backgrounds.

This contest is part of a broader project "Educational Bridge" which includes training courses on human rights, ethics and aesthetics; professional orientation courses in such areas as film-screening and handicraft, as well as social events. Handiworks made by the courses participants were exhibited at a fair launched today. The project is implemented by a non-governmental organization Future is Yours with the support from the OSCE Office in Yerevan in co-operation with Armenia's Ministries of Justice, Labour and Social Affairs, Education and Science.

"Tolerance, non-discrimination and respect of human rights of all, regardless of their language, culture, religion or belief, national or social origin, birth or other status, is one of the founding principles of the OSCE and a commitment by all our participating States to ensure peaceful co-existence in the society," said Vladimir Tchountoulov, the Human Rights Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "Today's event is an example of a project uniting children of different backgrounds under one topic which is relevant to all."

Meline Harutyunyan, a student from the 2nd night care centre who received a prize for her sewing works added: "Apart from the skills we acquired during the courses, we learned how important it is to have respect towards each other."

The International Day for Tolerance, observed annually by UNESCO since 1995, aims to advance human welfare and to encourage tolerance, respect, dialogue and co-operation among different cultures, civilizations and peoples.