Visit Of EED Delegation To ART And Mother See Of Holy Etchmiadzin

On July 6 four representatives of EED (Church Development Service – An Association of the Protestant Churches in Germany) — Dr. Claudia Warning, Director of International Programmes, Ms. Nele De Meyer, EED South regional Dialogue and Support Office, Ms. Felicitas Menz and Ms. Ilonka Boltze, Coordinators of Team South East Europe/Caucasian Republics, visited the Armenia Round Table.
Dr. Karen Nazaryan, ART Executive Director briefly introduced the history of ART cooperation with EED which started a year after the ART foundation in 1996. At that time the ART was the only partner of EED in Armenia. In the period of time EED developed its activities in Armenia and established cooperation with more partners in the country, among which there are several spin-offs of the ART. EED for ART is recognized a powerful, knowledgeable, reliable, teaching, demanding, controlling and listening partner.
The ART used to receive different types of support from EED, such as training and consultancy, financial support and reliabile cooperation over programmes. Reflecting on three main directions of ART work, i.e. Integrated Community Development, Promotion of Regional Peace and Capacity Building, Dr. Nazaryan also presented several projects which at the moment are in the ART headlines and are carried out a) to introduce social diaconia subject into curriculum of the Theological Faculty of Yerevan State University; b) to promote education on ecological theology/green theology; c) to promote a process of reconciliation at the public level in Armenia and Azerbaijan by encouraging more receptive ideas for peaceful conflict resolution and peace-building in both countries; d) to initiate advocacy work for promotion of cooperation between Armenian Government and NGOs; e) to contribute to the completion of Gyumri Social Centre building reconstruction and renovation and through the Center raise awareness of local population on a number of social issues, such as trafficking, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, drug abuse, etc.
Dr. Claudia Warning introduced EED programme, thematic issues prioritized by EED, main directions of work and activities as regards to fundraising with the Protestant Church in Germany and governmental support, lobby and advocacy, strategic planning and EED involvement in South Caucasus, impact assessment of partner run projects and result oriented initiatives by partners. ART staff spoke about programmes run by ART, introduced site visit projects, provided feedback on cooperation with EED and outlined programme implementation related specificities.
After the meeting in ART, the Delegation and ART Executive Director had an audience with His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness appreciated EED’s work in different countries and particularly in Armenia, its cooperation with the Armenia Round Table Foundation and active engagement of ART in development activities in the country. During the meeting the Delegation was also introduced to social activities carried out by the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC).
The meeting followed by field visits to two projects supported through ART in Metzamor and Jervezh. The site visit started in Metzamour, at the cultural-educational Centre adjoining St. Lazarus Church, where ART together with “Zangakatun” NGO is implementing “Pilot Project on Christian Community Work Model in Metzamur.” Children of the beneficiary families met the group at the gates of the centre. They were very interested with the guests and were eager to make them participants of their life at the centre. Interrupting each other they told about the activities of their computer literacy, dance, painting, puppet theatre groups and the choir. Then the children with the guests participated in the “Dinner of Love.” After dinner the children interpreted several vivid and joyful songs. Bishop Sion Adamyan, Prelate of the Armavir Diocese of AAC honored the event and expressed his satisfaction with the activities of the Centre.
After Metzamor Center, the Delegation had a tour through the Jervezh Social Centre and were introduced to different study groups and activities that are run by the Centre for Jervezh community, particularly computer course, vocational training in accounting, tailoring workshop by women, singing and dancing groups, volunteer work with an orphanage, pilgrimages, etc. At the discussion with the involvement of local priest, Centre volunteers, coordinators, beneficiaries, village mayor and local school headmaster, the Delegation had a chance to learn more of the Centre plans and joint activities towards an integrated community development approach. The visiting group was given a warm welcome and Centre activities recognized helpful to assist the community with organization and development related initiatives.