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24 January 2023
Building resilient communities for better health and well-being: WFP Armenia Officer-in-Charge and USAID Regional Humanitarian Advisor visit Gegharkunik region
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18 January 2023
Armenia signs the Intergovernmental declaration on children, youth, and climate action
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30 December 2022
WHO supports Armenia through surge in rehabilitation needs caused by pandemic and conflict
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Armenia
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Armenia:
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30 December 2022
WHO supports Armenia through surge in rehabilitation needs caused by pandemic and conflict
WHO/Europe is supporting Armenia with the development of a national strategic action plan on rehabilitation and assistive technology (AT). The need for rehabilitation services has drastically increased in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Often supported by AT, rehabilitation is cost-effective and helps achieve and maintain the best treatment outcome for a patient.
More than 40% of people in the country currently live with a health condition that requires rehabilitation care, according to the latest WHO/Europe report. When a person experiences limitations in everyday physical, mental, and social functioning due to ageing or a health condition, they may benefit from rehabilitation. Rehabilitation services support optimal functioning, improve quality of life, increase productivity, and maximize the effectiveness and impact of other health interventions.
For the last 2 years WHO has been supporting Armenia’s efforts to strengthen all aspects of rehabilitation services and AT. Working closely with the Ministry of Health, WHO provided technical support to help assess the rehabilitation situation in the country, including the capacity to respond to unmet need as well as emergency situations.
National strategic action plan
“Ensuring access to health care also includes access to rehabilitation services,” said Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Health, Armen Nazaryan. “The current rehabilitation system in Armenia is quite competitive and has potential for development. The Ministry of Health is working to provide access to rehabilitation services at the regional level within the country as well. We appreciate WHO's commitment to support the state programs for the development of rehabilitation services and regional accessibility in Armenia.”
A team of WHO experts recently visited the country to assess the rehabilitation situation using a WHO system-level tool, the Systematic Assessment of Rehabilitation Situation (STARS). The team visited health care facilities providing rehabilitative services and assistive products and held meetings and focus group discussions with the government, professional associations, educational institutions, international partners, and service users.
The preliminary findings and recommendations were reviewed in detail with the Ministry of Health and presented at a multi-stakeholder workshop. The comprehensive needs assessment results will be used to further strengthen the country’s rehabilitation and AT sectors and serve as a foundation for the new national strategic action plan.
Background
Armenia is one of 6 countries in the WHO European Region currently supported by a 5-year USAID project on rehabilitation and AT. The project aims to create effective rehabilitation networks and advocacy, increase policy-relevant rehabilitation information, expand the provision of quality rehabilitation services, and strengthen Ministry of Health leadership and planning with a focus on workforce empowerment.
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24 December 2022
WFP And Yeremyan Projects will cooperate within the framework of the "Milk in Schools" project
WFP, in collaboration with Yeremyan Projects, will implement the “Milk in schools” pilot project in Vayots Dzor region from January to December 2023. Around 350 schoolchildren from 5th to 8th grades of Jermuk Gorky No. 1 and Yeghegnadzor No. 1 schools of Vayots Dzor are engaged in the project and will receive a glass of milk in the morning for a healthy start of the day.
“WFP appreciates the important partnership with Yeremyan projects to address nutrition and behavior change issues in Armenia. Thanks to this public-private partnership and the company’s corporate social responsibility, we give an opportunity for the children of Armenia to build healthy dietary habits and improve learning abilities”, says Nanna Skau, WFP Armenia Officer-in-Charge.
WFP will implement this initiative and will further evaluate the behavioral changes of children at the end of the project based on indicators of increased milk consumption and reduced consumption of sugary drinks.
Milk will be supplied to schools by Yeremyan Projects free of charge. Since 2019 the company developed and implemented a production based on the ‘seed to table’ approach, which is one of the most important elements of WFP's national food security strategy.
"Since the first day of our agricultural activity, we have been carrying out public awareness campaigns, trying to form a new culture of milk consumption. Although many people are aware of the nutritious benefits of milk, unfortunately, today it is not a part of our eating culture. I am glad, that we share the same vision with our partner, the UN World Food Programme in terms of promoting the consumption of milk as a healthy drink among children and adults in Armenia. The "Milk in Schools" project is very welcomed from the perspective of forming positive milk drinking habits and behavior changes. We are willing to support the realization of this pilot project and hope it will become a successful and contagious example and that milk will become a part of both the school and everyday diet”, says the Director General of the organization, Davit Yeremyan.
The “Milk in schools” project will be accompanied by a public campaign with the slogan "Milk is love, strength, and health"․ The campaign aims to promote milk consumption as part of a healthy breakfast among children and adults in Armenia. This is to reduce the consumption of unhealthy drinks such as sweet tea, juices, soft drinks, and energy drinks and create a demand for milk and position it as a choice for healthy lifestyle.
The rationale behind the “Milk in Schools” project is that milk consumption by children during their important developmental period will promote growth and nutrition, create positive habits for milk consumption, and reduce morning hunger before school meals, which in turn will improve concentration and learning abilities in the classroom and will reduce the desire to eat unhealthy snacks.
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10 December 2022
Follow-up to COP27 - Ministry of Environment and the UN Armenia chart a path ahead
The Ministry of Environment of Armenia and UN Armenia co-hosted a workshop to discuss the outcomes and key follow-up measures of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), which was held from November 6 to November 20, 2022, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
The workshop brought together Government Representatives, Development Partners and UN entities to discuss and coordinate support for the Government of Armenia towards implementation of decisions made at the conference.
Participants exchanged ideas on the results of COP27, decisions taken linked to the identification of national priorities about adaptation and mitigation, as well as requirements to foster implementation of national commitments, and further substantive cooperation.
The UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Ms. Christine Weigand noted.
“To better address climate change we need to invest in many different areas, ranging from the economy to public and private finance flows, from new technologies to environmental education and environmental activism. This requires both effective coordination, as well as keeping the concerns of vulnerable groups front and center."
The Deputy Minister of Environment, Ms. Gabrielyan, shared her report on Armenia’s participation at COP27 by underlining the proactive involvement of the Armenian delegation. Particularly in the high-level segment of COP Armenia has also contributed to the work of the Eastern European group and the COP27 negotiations, as well as presented the country's third Biennial Update Report as part of reporting requirements under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Referring to the impact of climate change on countries with different levels of development, Ms Gabrielyan highlighted the establishment of the first ever dedicated “loss and damage” fund, to assist developing countries that are vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
Other international and national partners shared their contribution to climate action in the country and expressed readiness for further collaboration and commitments.
Ms Gabrielyan, Deputy Minister of Environment of Armenia expressed appreciation for the level of cooperation with Development Partners and the UN Armenia by emphasizing the importance of scaling up coordination implementation of efforts to combat climate change and its impact in Armenia.
In 2023, a similar discussion will be planned to discuss Armenia’s roadmap for addressing climate change impacts.
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28 November 2022
UN Armenia contributed to the creation of the UN Forest in Lori with 18,000 new trees (Photo story)
In celebration of UN Day, a tree-planting ceremony took place in Jrashen, Lori region with the active participation of UN Armenia staff.
“This year, the UN team in Armenia marked 77 years of its organization by contributing to the creation of a UN Armenia Forest with 18,000 trees. Through this action, we are modestly doing our share to protect and save our planet,” noted UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Ms. Lila Pieters Yahia.
The forest-planting project became a reality thanks to the collaborative efforts of UN Armenia and the "My forest Armenia" organization, within the framework of which the UN Armenia office has contributed to the planting and caring activities for 18,000 trees.
“It was amazing to see my colleagues so enthusiastically planting all together some of those 18,000 trees on the hills of the Lori region. By planting these trees, we - UN Armenia staff - will also closely monitor this new forest growth and hope the communities will live in a healthy environment,” noted Ms. Lila Pieters Yahia.
Arpine Aleksanyan, My Forest Armenia Corporate Relations Coordinator, noted that afforestation initiatives make the organization and its staff part of a more important mission.
“The participation of the UN Armenia Office staff in the tree planting was essential for me. The group was fascinating. A remarkable dialogue took place. People were knowledgeable, understood where they were going, and realized the work's importance. It is vital that such a large organization as the UN came up with such an initiative and sent a signal that afforestation is vital for our planet, our country,” said Arpine Aleksanyan.
“We are sure that the results of our assistance to strategic, long-term environmental projects for the country will not only contribute to the increase of Armenia’s forest cover but will also have a positive socio-economic impact on the development of communities,” said Armine Petrosyan, Director of Communications at the UN Armenia.
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02 November 2022
UN Armenia and STARMUS cooperate to inspire Armenian youth to discover the world of science
STARMUS is an international festival associated with the names of Steven Hawking, Brian May, Alexei Leonov, and other world-renowned artists, scientists, and musicians. It was launched in 2011 in Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) and later was also organized in Norway and Switzerland.
STARMUS was founded by astrophysicist Garik Israelyan and the legendary guitarist of Queen, astrophysicist Brian May, becoming a platform that unites world-renowned scientists, Nobel prize laureates, astronauts, and the brightest minds of science, art, and technology. In the scope of this festival, they are sharing their experience, knowledge and the latest inventions with attendees to simplify the process and to inspire more youth and participants to explore the world of science.
“STARMUS is here to inspire the new generation of Armenian technological giants and startups. This is the crucial moment in Armenia’s history, to bring a festival like STARMUS to this small country and inspire the new generation of scientists and artists of this country”, noted STARMUS Founding Director Garik Israelian in his remarks during the opening ceremony of STARMUS VI in Yerevan.
How to popularize science in Armenian society through art?
What should be done to increase the interest of young people in science?
How to make them a part of STARMUS, one of the most prestigious science and art festivals in the world?
Our partners from the STARMUS international festival helped us find answers to the above-mentioned, as well as many other questions. As a result, in August 2022, the UN Office in Armenia and the STARMUS International Festival signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), according to which the UN was announced as a Partner organization of the STARMUS festival. The MoU served as a base for the parties to unite their efforts towards the popularization and communication of science in Armenia thus ensuring the main goal of the STARMUS festival is to inspire and educate the next generation of explorers and regenerate the spirit of discovery.
Science and Art Days were held in Armenia from 5-10 September 2022, entitled “STARMUS VI. 50 Years on Mars” and were dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the first soft landing on Mars by the mission “Mars 3". In the scope of the festival series of events such as lectures, forums, scientific round-table discussions, art and music events, and a scientific camp were held in Armenia to showcase the importance of science in our lives and to bring it closer to the young generation.
Moreover, Armine Petrosyan, National Information Officer, Department of Global Communications, was an ambassador of the 6th STARMUS, a world-scale Science and Art Festival.
Within the framework of cooperation between the UN Armenia and STARMUS international festival, more than 100 young people from Yerevan, marzes, displaced and border communities took part in the events hosting world-renowned scientists, musicians, and artists.
We are glad that the dream of Tatev Hakobyan, one of the beneficiaries of one of the programs of the Representation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Armenia (UNHCR Armenia), came true, which she shared during our team's visit to Syunik in the summer. Tatev, who sees her future in the field of astronomy, shared her impressions of participation in STARMUS.
“My interest in astronomy began at a young age, and STARMUS was just a great opportunity to get my questions answered and listen to inspiring lectures by skillful professors. This festival was a source of great motivation for me.”
Our colleagues from different agencies continue to share their positive feedback with us about the opinions of the beneficiary youth attending the festival.
“On behalf of the adolescents and young people, I'd like to thank you for giving them the opportunity to be part of the amazing STARMUS experience. I've been getting calls and texts from young people thanking us for this enjoyable and life-changing experience.”
Young people had the opportunity to enjoy the science and art days, learn, and be inspired to further contribute to the development of science, education, art, and technology.
On the sidelines of the UN Armenia and STARMUS partnership, astrobiologist, award-winning science communicator, and prize-winning author David Grinspoon delivered a lecture titled "Terra Sapiens: The Human Chapter in the History of Earth" at the UN House.
The astrobiologist spoke about the importance of identifying the causes of the changes taking place in the universe, the climatic disasters that occurred on different planets and their consequences, and international cooperation to combat climate change and its impacts. The lecture was followed by a discussion about the definition of evolution, and possible changes on the planet Earth.
We are sure that in the long term, the unsurpassed results of the opportunities provided by the STARMUS VI festival will be more visible.
The UN Armenia, in its turn, will always support the initiatives that will promote youth empowerment, gender equality, and STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), as they are all vital to achieving the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a better world, leaving no one behind.
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26 January 2023
Building resilient communities for better health and well-being: WFP Armenia Officer-in-Charge and USAID Regional Humanitarian Advisor visit Gegharkunik region
Recently, Andrew Golda, Deputy Director of USAID/Armenia’s Economic Growth Office, John Patterson, USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Regional Humanitarian Advisor, Astghik Grigoryan, USAID/Armenia’s Project Management Specialist, and Nanna Skau, WFP Armenia Officer-in-Charge visited a family in Gavar community that benefits from the WFP’s “Food Card” project. The food card project helps food insecure families of Gegharkunik and Shirak regions gain access to food by providing cash through bank cards they can use to buy food from selected supermarkets. The food card helps these families to access food and save income to address other essential needs. The project also includes information sessions about how to have a more diverse diet, taking into account the food budgets of the households.
During the mission, the representatives emphasized the importance of community development projects that improve health and well-being of people and help them overcome hardships caused by recent shocks and crises.
Nanna Skau, Adrew Golda, John Patterson and Astghik Grigoryan met with Anush Movsesyan's family of 10, who are amongst 27 families in Gavar community receiving support through “food cards”. They live in poor conditions and have limited access to food. Anush explained that WFP’s assistance provided them with a choice over what they ate.
“Today I was finally able to buy canned meat; when the children come home from school, they'll be thrilled to find out that they are going to eat meat," she added.
WFP’s project incorporates humanitarian and development initiatives to address the population's present food security issues and ensure long-term effective support for enhancing their livelihoods.
In partnership with USAID, WFP is scaling up its pilot and launching the “Integrated Response to Increased Food Prices in Armenia” project that aims to improve and strengthen shock-responsive policies and promote social assistance tools for more than 3000 food-insecure populations over the next 15 months.
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18 January 2023
Armenia signs the Intergovernmental declaration on children, youth, and climate action
Armenia is the thirty-eighth country and the first in the Caucasus region to sign the Declaration. By signing the declaration Armenia has pledged to ensure that priorities for children and youth are included in climate action.
"Today, climate change has become a priority not only for Armenia, but for the whole world, and children and young people are, in fact, the most vulnerable target to climate change. The declaration signed in collaboration with UNICEF, will become the foundation for significant changes in terms of expanding access to knowledge and information about climate change. Today’s work will bring more awareness and inclusion to future generations. In addition, we expect young people to actively offer their own solutions regarding climate change," noted Minister of Environment Hakob Simidyan.
Nora Alanakyan, Deputy Head of the Office of the Austrian Development Cooperation in Armenia welcomed the signing of the Declaration and pointed out that this document demonstrates Armenia’s commitment to acknowledge and consider the needs, rights, and perspectives of children and young people when it comes to climate change policies at all levels.
“Climate change has and will continue to cause higher temperatures, more dramatic weather events, more crop failures and increased water scarcity, and children are always the most vulnerable to these threats. In the recent years, we have seen more and more children and young people unite in a call for action. UNICEF was pleased to support two young people from Armenia to attend COP27 to join those efforts. I am now very happy to see that the Government of Armenia acknowledges the importance of including children and youth in climate action,” noted UNICEF Representative in Armenia Christine Weigand.
One of the aims of the Declaration is to expand participation by children and youth in the climate change mitigation and adaptation processes through more education about climate change and the environment, as well as acquisition of knowledge and skills required to protect themselves and contribute to a safe and sustainable future.
The signing ceremony was attended by the two young delegates from Armenia to COP27 Narek Ohanyan and Yerazik Hoveyan who also served as the high-level youth climate champion from Europe and Central Asia.
“The climate crisis is a child rights crisis, and water insecurity is a child rights crisis. It is no secret that human action around the planet has led to what we have to experience today, so the solution also starts with each and every one of us. Let’s change ourselves and not the climate. However, to do this, we need to ensure comprehensive and universal climate change education and climate literacy for all and adequate funding for it. Our call to the Government is to do what it takes to empower people of all ages with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to address climate change,” said Narek and Yerazik.
With support of the Austrian Development Cooperation, UNICEF will continue to work with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, and other partners to continue training schoolteachers on climate change and environmental issues, enhance school curricula and develop learning materials that will effectively engage students in taking actions to mitigate climate change in collaboration with local authorities and the community at large.
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30 December 2022
Switzerland supports WFP for resilience and economic recovery of border communities in Armenia
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a US$ 1 million contribution from the Government of Switzerland to improve resilience and provide a long-term economic support to the border communities of Armenia. Through the aid approved by the Swiss Development Agency (SDC), WFP will directly target 3,000 people from 15 borderline settlements․
“The past two years have been particularly difficult for the people living in border communities of Armenia. The contribution received from the Government of Switzerland is critical to support thousands of people affected by the military escalations in September 2022”, said WFP Deputy Country Director and Officer-in-Charge in Armenia, Nanna Skau.” WFP will continue working with partners and the Government of Armenia to reach more people ensuring no one is left behind.”
Many displaced families living in border areas faced significant hardships to meet their food and other essential needs in recent years. Most people still heavily rely on some type of social assistance to make ends meet.
The donation received from Switzerland will help WFP provide humanitarian support to both conflict-affected and most vulnerable populations in Syunik, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor regions. To support people in need, WFP and partners will provide psycho-social services, cash assistance, as well as support to longer-term economic recovery to help overcome the difficulties caused by the recent conflicts and shocks.
“Switzerland has a longstanding tradition of humanitarian assistance to Armenia in time of need, which started with the Spitak earthquake of 1988,” said the Ambassador of Switzerland to Armenia, H.E. Lukas Rosenkranz, during the official project signing ceremony between the SDC and the WFP.
During the past two years, Armenia faced significant challenges to carry out its socioeconomic reform. Several serious shocks such as COVID-19, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the recent military escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan increased poverty and pushed thousands of people into food insecurity.
WFP will continue to closely collaborate with different ministries to develop a strong social protection system by improving communities’ readiness and preparedness to respond to various potential shocks and crises.
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26 December 2022
Do you take antibiotics only when prescribed by your doctor? A population-based survey in Armenia
WHO and partners posed this question, together with many others related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), to people in Armenia’s public spaces with the highest foot traffic – such as malls, metro station exits, and entrances to universities and hospitals – in October and November 2022.
The questions were part of the Survey on Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviour on Antimicrobial Resistance (KAB Survey), a WHO initiative conducted for the first time in the eastern part of the WHO European Region, including the Caucasus and central Asia. The survey took place alongside many other awareness-raising activities in connection with the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week global campaign.
The KAB Survey
The KAB Survey offers comprehensive information on public perception, knowledge and attitudes related to AMR. This will feed into global action towards the elimination of AMR based on identified behavioural patterns and insights. The Survey asked people about:
their use of antibiotics
their reasons for taking antibiotics
their practice of taking prescription-only antibiotics
the laboratory tests and other investigations they underwent before deciding to take antibiotics
their knowledge about antibiotics
their sources of information
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their use of antibiotics.
Furthermore, the Survey explored participants’ knowledge and attitude about the use of antibiotics in farm animals, and its effects.
“It was a great opportunity to talk to people and learn about their practices directly from them,” shared Ms Lala Margaryan, one of the interviewers and an expert at the Scientific Center of Drug and Medical Technology Expertise of the Ministry of Health of Armenia. “Many of the people interviewed mentioned that they already learned more about AMR while answering the survey questions, and some also came up with suggestions for questions to be included in the KAB Survey in the future.”
The Survey was conducted by a team from the Scientific Center that received training from WHO/Europe and the WHO Country Office in Armenia in survey protocol and the use of an online platform for conducting interviews.
Survey results to inform future actions
“In Armenia, the Survey echoed the positive results of the awareness-raising activities implemented so far, specifically related to taking antibiotics. It also revealed so many aspects that need further intervention – for example, the One Health approach, which recognizes that human, animal and environmental health are interrelated,” added Dr Lilit Ghazaryan, Deputy Director of the Scientific Center.
The results of the Survey will inform future awareness-raising and behaviour-change interventions in Armenia, which are planned within a new multisectoral strategy for the prevention and control of AMR in 2023–2027. The new strategy will be implemented under the umbrella of the One Health approach. It will go beyond current efforts and place more emphasis on education and the environmental sector to promote human and animal health.
“Only a multisectoral approach can address AMR, because the health of humans, animals and the environment are closely interrelated,” emphasized Dr Kristina Gyurjyan, AMR Focal Point and Head of the Department of Human Resources Development at the Ministry of Health. “The Ministry of Health attaches great importance to interagency cooperation and protecting the health and well-being of all by enhancing cooperation among doctors, veterinarians, representatives of academia and environmental specialists.”
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09 December 2022
UNICEF appoints Junior Eurovision winner Malena as an Ambassador
Ahead of Junior Eurovision song contest 2022 to be held in Armenia on December 11, 15-year-old Malena (Arpine Martoyan), winner of the 2021 song contest, has been appointed as the newest UNICEF Armenia National Ambassador.
From November 18-20, Malena joined UNICEF and Human Rights Defender Office to launch the first HRDO Child and Youth Advisory Council on World Children’s Day. She joined the young Council members in a series of workshops on topics ranging from the Convention on the Rights of the Child to how to research child rights issues, from mental health to persuasive communication, and heard from them about issues children and young people in Armenia are facing.
Previously, Malena attended the UPSHIFT closing ceremony in Gavar, an initiative through which UNICEF supports the development of life skills and supports youth to positively engage with their local communities as change-makers. It was an opportunity for her to engage with young people from Gavar and to learn about the projects they designed and implemented.
“This year, I’ve got so much inspiration – I’ve already met young people that understand climate change from A to Z, young people that along with their daily life and studies, managed to form a team, to identify one of the community's problems, to write a project to solve that problem, and contributed to improving life in their community,” said Malena. “This role with UNICEF will provide me with more opportunities to meet children and young people across our country, to learn more about issues they are faced with and the concerns they have. As UNICEF Ambassador, it will be my first responsibility to voice these concerns and issues and I’ll do my best to make their voice sound lauder and bolder.”
UNICEF has a long, successful history of working with Ambassadors which dates back over 60 years. UNICEF currently works with approximately 400 Ambassadors in 103 countries and regions around the world to improve the lives of children. They play a critical role in shining a light on the challenges children and adolescents face around the globe.
“Adolescence is a special period in a child’s life, and an important window of opportunity to help children develop many critical skills and capacities for their future. We are therefore working on many initiatives to empower young people, to equip them with 21st century skills to promote their participation and to make their voice heard – on climate change, mental health and many other important issues. I am excited to welcome Malena to the UNICEF team as our newest Ambassador - together we will make sure that young people’s voice is heard and included in decisions that affect their lives,” explained Christine Weigand, UNICEF Representative in Armenia.
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Press Release
21 December 2022
WFP welcomes USAID contribution to strengthen social protection systems in Armenia
In recent years, Armenia faced multiple shocks that revealed an acute need to enhance the adaptability and response mechanisms of the social protection system to meet the needs of vulnerable populations during and after crises.
In partnership with USAID, WFP launched the “Integrated Response to Increased Food Prices in Armenia” project that aims to improve and strengthen shock-responsive policies and promote social assistance tools for food-insecure populations over the next 15 months.
“USAID is proud to work with the World Food Programme to support the government of Armenia in its efforts to respond to the needs of citizens, especially vulnerable populations, in the face of unforeseen challenges. We are pleased that at least 3,000 people will directly benefit from this program,” said USAID/Armenia Mission Director John Allelo.
Also, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the WFP will develop and enforce shock-responsive social protection policy protocols, procedures, and resources. WFP will further operationalize food cards as cash-based transfer tools for meeting rapid food needs caused by shocks and crises to three thousand food-insecure persons in three regions.
“We have experienced shock after shock in Armenia, and we aim to support the Armenian Government to have social systems in place that can adapt and provide the right assistance at the right time to people in need. “WFP welcomes USAID’s generous support to facilitate that the government of Armenia have all the necessary social protection tools and mechanisms and help people during and in the aftermath of shocks,” said Nanna Skau, WFP Deputy Director and Officer in Charge.
WFP values the crucial role of improving the shock-responsive social protection system in Armenia, considering that the country is prone to various types of shocks. By enhancing social protection systems WFP can reach more people who are at risk, and therefore a multi-stakeholder approach is required to address the consequences of the shocks and ensure a timely and effective response to hundreds of people across Armenia.
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Press Release
18 November 2022
Racism and discrimination against children rife in countries worldwide – UNICEF
Racism and discrimination against children based on their ethnicity, language, and religion are rife in countries across the world, according to a new UNICEF report published ahead of World Children’s Day.
Rights denied: The impact of discrimination on children shows the extent to which racism and discrimination impact children’s education, health, access to a registered birth, and to a fair and equal justice system, and highlights widespread disparities among minority and ethnic groups.
“Systemic racism and discrimination put children at risk of deprivation and exclusion that can last a lifetime,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “This hurts us all. Protecting the rights of every child – whoever they are, wherever they come from – is the surest way to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and just world for everyone.”
Among the new findings, the report shows that children from marginalized ethnic, language, and religious groups in an analysis of 22 countries lag far behind their peers in reading skills. On average, students aged 7-14 from the most advantaged group are more than twice as likely to have foundational reading skills than those from the least advantaged group.
An analysis of data on the rate of children registered at birth – a prerequisite for access to basic rights – found significant disparities among children of different religious and ethnic groups. For example, in Lao PDR, 59 per cent of children under 5 in the minority Mon-Khmer ethnic group have their births registered, compared to 80 per cent among the Lao-Tai ethnic group.
Discrimination and exclusion deepen intergenerational deprivation and poverty, and result in poorer health, nutrition, and learning outcomes for children, higher likelihood of incarceration, higher rates of pregnancy among adolescent girls, and lower employment rates and earnings in adulthood.
While COVID-19 exposed deep injustices and discrimination across the world, and the impacts of climate change and conflict continue to reveal inequities in many countries, the report highlights how discrimination and exclusion have long persisted for millions of children from ethnic and minority groups, including access to immunization, water and sanitation services, and a fair justice system.
For example, in disciplinary policies in the United States, Black children are almost four times more likely to receive out-of-school suspensions than white children, and more than twice as likely to face school-related arrests, the report notes.
The report also highlights how children and young people are feeling the burden of discrimination in their everyday lives. A new U-Report poll generating more than 407,000 responses found that almost two thirds feel discrimination is common in their environments, while almost half feel discrimination had impacted their lives or that of someone they know in a significant manner.
“On World Children’s Day and every day, every child has the right to be included, to be protected, and to have an equal chance to reach their full potential,” said Russell. “All of us have the power to fight discrimination against children – in our countries, our communities, our schools, our homes, and our own hearts. We need to use that power.”
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Press Release
18 November 2022
Armenian community of Argentina and UNICEF launch a multi-sector programme to benefit children of Armenia
The Armenian community of Argentina and UNICEF unite again for the benefit of Armenia’s children, this time launching a multi-sector two-year programme targeting early learning, general education, child protection and youth services in Armenia. With the support of the All-Armenia ‘Hayastan’ Fund in Argentina, from 2022 to 2024, works are already underway to refurbish the family and child support center in Vanadzor (Lori marz), establish two youth houses in Verishen (Syunik marz) and Artik (Shirak), provide school furniture and learning materials for 15 classrooms in three schools in Syunik, as well as renovate and refurbish Goris kindergarten #5.
"Thanks to the support of the Argentine community, these important projects are being executed jointly with UNICEF Armenia. Hayastan All Armenian Fund of Argentina is part of a global organization working since 1992 on the implementation projects with social impact in various areas, for the development and assistance of Armenians. We are particularly happy to know we can work jointly with UNICEF to support children in Armenia in the region of Syunik and displaced families that have suffered from Nagorno Karabagh conflict,” noted Mr Alex Kalpakian, President of Hayastan All Armenian Fund in Argentina.
“We are grateful to the Armenian community of Argentina for their generous support. Through this programme, UNICEF will be able to help improve the situation of hundreds of children and adolescents from Lori to Syunik and provide them with necessary services and conditions for their learning and development,” noted Christine Weigand, UNICEF Representative in Armenia.
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the child and family support center will provide multidisciplinary services to children in difficult life circumstances, such as rehabilitation, case management, prevention of family separation, mental health and psychosocial services. UNICEF will also provide on-the-job training for the specialists of the center.
“This type of partnerships are truly important for us, as the improvement of conditions in child care institutions leaves a great impact on the quality of services, their regularity and effectiveness. The deinstitutionalisation of child-care institutions and investment in child-care services at marz level is a key priority for the Ministry. This process also greatly contributes to prevention of child abandonment and the need for night-care services,” said Mrs Tatevik Stepanyan, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
Through the newly established youth houses, about 300 adolescents and young people in Artik and Verishen, including those with disabilities, will be able to get non-formal education, acquire 21st century skills, such as problem solving, communication, leadership, IT skills, work on community projects, practice healthy lifestyle. Together with partners, UNICEF will train the future staff of these centers and provide them with necessary materials and equipment.
Schools #2 and #6 in Goris and Verishen school will be provided with new furniture and materials so that new classrooms can be opened and for students to learn in developmentally appropriate environment. Teachers in Syunik schools will also be supported to organize remedial classes for students to catch up on what they had missed academically due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. At Goris kindergarten #5, UNICEF is already in the process of renovation, ensuring safety standards and universal design for enhancing accessibility of the building for children with disabilities. The kindergarten will be provided with new furniture, didactic materials, toys and books, while staff will be trained on preschool education standards, including on safety and resilience, and psychological first aid in emergency situations.
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Press Release
11 November 2022
UNICEF and Parenting School NGO launch Armenia’s first online positive parenting course
UNICEF and Parenting School NGO launched Armenia’s first free online positive parenting course today, developed in 2022 with the funding of the United States Government and in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. The course will enroll about 10.000 parents from across Armenia until end of the year.
“Parents and caregivers are the chief architects of the next generation. Like no one else, they shape the experiences that build their children’s brains and set them on a path towards healthy development and adolescence. At the same time, parenting is too big a job for parents and caregivers to do alone. Through this course and other programmes, UNICEF strives to be a trusted partners for parents and caregivers in Armenia and support them in their most precious task of all – raising their children,” said Christine Weigand, UNICEF Representative in Armenia.
“Parenting is one of the best roles you can take on in life. As a parent, you cannot completely disregard a myriad of new worries, stresses and concerns that this role brings, so it’s important to balance your parenting experience via this course and other tools. Today, parents of adolescents are faced with new issues related to technological developments, consumption of fast food, as well as trying to manage diverging views, allowing your child to grow independent, while at the same time continuing to nurture your emotional connection with them,” shared Mrs Tatevik Stepanyan, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
Through this course, partners aim to raise the awareness of parents and caregivers about conscious parenting and its various aspects, while also building their capacity in positive parenting, building trust with children, ensuring a conducive environment for children’s healthy development and wellbeing, while trying to minimize or avoid negative psychological and emotional pressures on children.
“While parents place importance in conscious and positive approaches to parenting on daily basis, they don’t always have access to experienced psychologists and parenting experts that can help guide and support them with additional information and reassurance, as well as practical tips that they can use in their relationships with their children. Our new platform is accessible, easy to use and provides parents with videos and other user-friendly materials, unpacking all positive and negative consequences of each behavior. Our objective with this course is to support parents to enjoy parenthood, feel happy and fulfilled as parents and raise happy children,” shared Anna Velitsyan, Founding Director of Parenting School NGO.
The course was developed by three expert psychologists from Parenting School NGO – Lusine Aghabekyan, Armine Vardanyan, and Tatevik Abrahamyan, and is available online at: aybuben.parenting.am microsite.
Coursework includes six different topics, including effective communication with children, positive disciplining, how to motivate children, how to spend quality time or deal with age-related transitional issues that may arise. Each topic is presented through defined learning objectives and expected outcomes, a number of resources from videos to practical exercises. Once everything is completed, participants will also be provided with a topic-based summary sheet as a material for a quick refresh in the future.
UNICEF will continue providing necessary support to caregivers through evidence-based articles on parenting and much more on www.Babycef.am, established with the support of the Ministry of Health.
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Press Release
01 November 2022
559 million children currently exposed to high heatwave frequency, rising to all 2.02 billion children globally by 2050
LONDON/NEW YORK, 25 October, 2022 – 559 million children are currently exposed to high heatwave frequency*, according to new research from UNICEF. Further, 624 million children are exposed to one of three other high heat measures - high heatwave duration, high heatwave severity or extreme high temperatures.
During a year in which heatwaves in both the southern and northern hemispheres broke records, The Coldest Year Of The Rest Of Their Lives: Protecting Children From The Escalating Impacts Of Heatwaves highlights the already extensive impact of heatwaves on children and reveals that, even at lower levels of global heating, in just three decades, more regular heatwaves are unavoidable for children everywhere.
The report estimates that by 2050, all of the world’s 2.02 billion children are expected to be exposed to high heatwave frequency, regardless of whether the world achieves a ‘low greenhouse gas emission scenario’ with an estimated 1.7 degrees of warming in 2050 or a ‘very high greenhouse gas emission scenario’ with an estimated 2.4 degrees of warming in 2050.
Produced in collaboration with The Data Collaborative for Children and launched in partnership with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Vanessa Nakate and Africa-based Rise Up Movement, these findings underscore the urgent need to adapt the services children rely on as unavoidable impacts of global heating unfold. It also makes a case for continued mitigation, to prevent the worst impacts of the other high heat measures, including longer and hotter heatwaves and higher extreme temperatures.
“The mercury is rising and so are the impacts on children,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said. “Already, 1 in 3 children live in countries that face extreme high temperatures and almost 1 in 4 children are exposed to high heatwave frequency, and it is only going to get worse. More children will be impacted by longer, hotter and more frequent heatwaves over the next thirty years, threatening their health and wellbeing. How devastating these changes will be depends on the actions we take now. At a minimum, governments must urgently limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius and double adaptation funding by 2025. This is the only way to save children’s lives and futures – and the future of the planet.”
Heatwaves are especially damaging to children, as they are less able to regulate their body temperature compared to adults. The more heatwaves children are exposed to, the greater the chance of health problems including chronic respiratory conditions, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Babies and young children are at the greatest risk of heat-related mortality. Heatwaves can also affect children’s environments, their safety, nutrition and access to water, and their education and future livelihood.
The report found high heatwave duration currently impacts 538 million, or 23 per cent of, children globally. This will rise to 1.6 billion children in 2050 at 1.7 degrees warming, and 1.9 billion children at 2.4 degrees warming, emphasising the importance of urgent and dramatic emissions mitigation and adaptation measures to contain global heating and protect lives.
Millions more children will be exposed to high heatwave severity and extreme high temperatures depending on the degree of global heating reached. Children in northern regions, especially Europe, will face the most dramatic increases in high severity heatwaves and, by 2050, nearly half of all children in Africa and Asia will face sustained exposure to extreme high temperatures.
Currently 23 countries fall into the highest category for child exposure to extreme high temperatures. This will rise to 33 countries by 2050 under the low emissions scenario and 36 countries under the very high emissions scenario. Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, Sudan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, India and Pakistan are among the countries likely to remain in the highest category in both scenarios.
“The climate shocks of 2022 provided a strong wakeup call about the increasing danger hurtling towards us,” said Vanessa Nakate, climate activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. “Heatwaves are a clear example. As hot as this year has been in almost every corner of the world, it will likely be the coldest year of the rest of our lives. The dial is being turned up on our planet and yet our world leaders haven’t begun to sweat. The only option is for us to continue to turn up the heat - on them - to correct the course we are on. World leaders must do this at COP27 for children everywhere, but especially the most vulnerable children in the most affected places. Unless they take action, and soon, this report makes it clear that heatwaves will become even harsher than they are already destined to be.”
UNICEF is calling on governments to:
PROTECT children from climate devastation by adapting social services. Every country must adapt critical social services - water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, education, nutrition, social protection and child protection – to protect children and young people. For example, food systems must be strengthened to withstand hazards and ensure continued access to healthy diets. Increased investments must be made in the early prevention, detection and treatment of severe malnutrition in children, mothers and vulnerable populations. At COP27, children and their rights must be prioritized in decisions on adaptation.
PREPARE children to live in a climate-changed world. Every country must provide children and young people with climate change education, disaster risk reduction education, green skills training and opportunities to meaningfully participate and influence climate policy making. COP27 must see countries strengthen the focus on children's climate education and empowerment in the ACE action plan, adopt it, and implement previous commitments to build youth capacity.
PRIORITIZE children and young people in climate finance and resources. Developed countries must deliver on their COP26 agreement to double adaptation funding to $40bn per year by 2025 at a minimum, as a step to delivering at least $300bn per year for adaptation by 2030. Adaptation funding must make up half of all climate finance. COP27 must unlock progress on loss and damage, placing the resilience of children and their communities at the center of discussions on action and support.
PREVENT a climate catastrophe by drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and keep 1.5 degrees Celsius alive. Emissions are projected to rise by 14% this decade, putting us on a path to catastrophic global heating. All governments must revisit their national climate plans and policies to increase ambition and action. They must cut emissions by at least 45% by 2030 to keep heating to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.
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