ALA and CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia hosted the participants of “Integrity” Educational Camp from Vanadzor

On 18 October, the Armenian Lawyers’ Association of and CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia hosted the participants of the “Integrity” Educational Camp from Vanadzor, which was organized within the framework of the joint program of the “NGO Center” Civil Society Development NGO and Vanadzor InfoTun (InfoHouse.

Mr. Vahe Khachikyan, program coordinator of the “NGO Center”, noted that the 10 most active volunteers of Vanadzor InfoHouse are participating in the three-day study visit to Yerevan.

Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association of, the Coordinator of the Secretariat of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia, spoke about the work being done in the anti-corruption field, presenting details about the pillars of the anti-corruption fight, which are anti-corruption education, prevention of corruption and the inevitability of punishment. He also presented the international experience to the young people, and the success that different countries have achieved in the field. Karen Zadoyan also told about the “economic miracle” of Singapore, presenting it as a positive example in the fight against corruption. According to him, the fact that corruption is the greatest evil became more evident during the April War in 2016. Karen Zadoyan presented information about the successes achieved by the ALA in the field, the work done, and the legislative initiatives.

He also outlined the issue, which has become an important priority especially recently, the need to preserve national identity. “In addition to being a good specialist in any field, it is important that the characteristics of your national identity are high: bear the elements of national identity,” Karen Zadoyan said.

Mr. Arkady Sahakyan, Chairman of the Governing Board of CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia, noted that corruption is one of the oldest crimes and it is not possible to completely eliminate it, but the struggle of the people is needed to reduce its level. All kinds of struggles will be meaningless if there is no will of the people to show intolerance towards corruption.

Arkady Sahakyan also mentioned that in order to have a society bearing anti-corruption values, anti-corruption education is important, which should start from the kindergarten.

ALA has provided an opportunity to gain anti-corruption education in an informal way by organizing the Anti-Corruption School for Young Leaders. ALA Program Coordinator, Anti-Corruption Expert, lecturer at the Anti-Corruption School Ms Syuzanna Soghomyan spoke about this. She mentioned the educational stages and methods organized within the school. According to her, scientific conferences have been being organized within the framework of the Anti-Corruption School for years.

Mr. Arnold Vardanyan, PhD, ALA member, Lawyer, graduate of the Anti-Corruption School for Young Leaders, winner of the Chevening scholarship of the United Kingdom Government, Master’s Degree student at the University of Edinburgh, advised young people to consider their own desires, make a choice without fear that they might make a mistake, don’t understand or if maybe considers them ambitious or a dreamer.

Notably, within the framework of the study visit, the young people visit state and civil society organizations that work in anti-corruption and integrity fields. The goal is for young people to get an idea of ​​what is happening in Armenia within the framework of the fight against corruption, what integrity is, etc.