News

The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Armenia organized a panel discussion on "What does the crisis of the European Union mean to the European perspective of Armenia?" The speakers: Dr. Wolfgang Thierse, Vice President of the German Parliament, Boris Navasardyan, President of Yerevan Press Club and Dr. Artak Zakaryan, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia discussed the role and the importance of Europe as a project of peace, prosperity, constitutionality and social security for the development of Armenia. The speakers also were concerned with possible impacts of the current crisis of the European Union to the European perspective of Armenia. The significance of Europe to the accomplishment of the various challenges of the country was seen in practical support and cooperative work as well as in ideological and sociopolitical orientation. The event brought together representatives from Armenian Government, from the civil society organizations and the media, as well as from the universities and international organizations. Read more

The Hrayr Marukhian Foundation with the support of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) has presented the policy paper "Social Reforms in Armenia 2" in Yerevan. The study targets three major topics: social reforms in agriculture sector mining and education in Armenia. The group of experts (economists, parliamentarians) who have worked on the study provide an analysis and solution approaches to the mentioned topics. The study can be downloaded here. ENG ARM

On September 25 the Greens Movement of Georgia / Friends of the Earth in collaboration with the Union "Women in Europe for a Common Future" and with the support of FES organized the international conference  "Promotion of use of renewable energy sources and introduction of energy-efficient technologies in Georgia". "

The aim of the conference was a bright discussion about the potential of renewable energies and energy-efficiency in Georgia, consolidation of NGO interventions, ensuring legal support and raising awareness of government and general public.

With the support of FES the experts, the journalist Shahin Abbasov and the political scientist Elhan Shahinoglu have prepared a paper on the topic “Tensions in relations between Azerbaijan and Iran: Reasons behind and the way out.” All processes in and around Iran have or can have an influence on the region and on Azerbaijan as one of the neighbors. In this context the current situation and the perspectives have been analyzed. The full version and the executive summery of the paper can be downloaded here. 

The Yerevan-based Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation (ACGRC) with support of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) organized a series of seminars in Yerevan, Vanadzor and Gyumri on the Armenian-Turkish relations. The seminar brought together a group of experts-analysts, academicians, representatives of non-governmental organizations and students from Armenia and Turkey to discuss the current situation of Armenian-Turkish relations and confidence building measures.

How do the economic theories of the social democracy differ, actually, from conservative or liberal values? What are the aims of social-democratic politics and which strategies pursue social democratic parties? Which economic theories are topical today and which one can attain today from the point of the social democracy by a state-adjusted market economic growth. A book series of the political academy of the Friedrich- Ebert-Stiftung  delivers answers to these questions. Now the second book from this row with the title „Economics and Social Democracy“ has appeared by the cooperation of FES and Hrayr Maroukhian Fundation in Armenian. It can be downloaded here.

The Green Movement of Georgia / Friends of the Earth with the support of FES is implementing a project “Promotion of use of renewable energy and introduction of energy-efficient technologies in Georgia”. The thematic groups created in the range of project are intensively continuing the meetings to prepare conclusions and documents on efficient using of renewable energy issues. After that the outcomes will be presented to the responsible state authorities and other interested stakeholders. The report can be downloaded here A, B.

The Green Movement of Georgia / Friends of the Earth with the support of the FES has launched the project “Promote public participation and involvement in the processes of construction, assessment of social and environmental impacts and EIA processes of Khudoni hydro power-plant”. The project aims to carry out Independent/alternative public expertise of the Impact Assessment Report on the social and natural environment of Khudoni hydroelectric power-plant and raise public awareness with regard to environmental and social issues of Khudoni Cascade construction, to promote and enhance public participation and involvement in EIA processes. 

The International Seminar on strategic planning in cement industry for members of Trade Union of Chemical and Mine Workers' in Georgia was held on 29-30 May in Kobuleti. The seminar was organized by Georgian Trade Unions Confederation and supported by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). The seminar brought together a group of members of Trade Unions and international experts to discuss the current situation in cement industry, strategic planning, union’s status and working conditions.