Winners of OSCE-supported competition on human rights announced in Yerevan

YEREVAN, 24 November 2011 – Six school students from Yerevan received prizes today after winning an OSCE-supported contest on human rights.

Some 50 students from eight schools in Yerevan participated in an interactive game, organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Yerevan Club of Intellectual Games non-governmental organization, which was designed to raise awareness on human rights, building upon the state educational programme.

Vladimir Tchountoulov, the Human Rights Officer of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, encouraged young people to increase their knowledge of human rights: “It’s important that human rights education has already been included in the high school curriculum in Armenia. Human rights education focuses especially on social goals and ideals that emphasize the dignity of all human beings and contributes directly to the process of building a society based on freedom, peace and justice.” Addressing the students he added: “We hope that today’s initiative will inspire you to learn more about human rights to promote democracy and respect for human rights.”

All participants received certificates and the winning team of six were awarded e-readers and cups.

The President of the Yerevan Club of Intellectual Games, Yeva Makhmuryan said: “This has been a great opportunity to promote interactive learning on a very important topic.”

The Ministry of Education and Science and the Human Rights Defender’s Office welcomed the initiative. Prior to the event, the schoolchildren visited the Human Rights Defender’s Office and the Constitutional Court to enhance their knowledge of human rights institutions and frameworks.

The activity is part of the OSCE efforts to promote human rights awareness in Armenia.