UNDP Focuses on Regional Needs through Cultural Lens

On 21 April 2009 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia, within the framework of UNDP project "Music and Public Outreach in the Regions: Highlighting the Needs of the Regions through a Cultural Lens," organized a concert and a public awareness campaign in the city of Gyumri dedicated to human rights and tolerance issues in Shirak region. The performance was given by the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia (NCOA), led by maestro Aram Gharabekian.

The main objective of the project is to support the revival of cultural life in the regions, break the cultural isolation and raise public awareness on the needs of communities using culture and, particularly, music as vehicle for this purpose.

The project has established an important partnership with "Shoghakat" TV Company, which is in a process of producing documentary films highlighting the needs in regions where concerts took place. Subjects of those films include issues related to poverty, unemployment, environmental challenges, vulnerability to disasters, gender, tolerance and human rights issues. These films will be broadcasted on one of the main countrywide TV channels. It is anticipated that these films will broaden the public awareness throughout Armenia on development challenges in the country and will ensure that the commitments by national decision-makers to address regional issues remain as priorities on the public and political agenda, even during the crisis times UNDP, together with its partners, will officially launch these films after the completion of concerts.

The promotion and protection of human rights and tolerance constitute a basis of the UN value system. The UNDP in Armenia is committed to work with the Government of Armenia and the civil society on practical measures to improve human rights standards and support the development of its institutional infrastructure across the country.

The event in Gyumri was the sixth in the series. The last event is scheduled to be held in the city of Dilijan on 5 May to address environmental issues in Tavush region.