Freedom of Information Center of Armenia.

“We have more awareness already and can confidently knock on any door to get information,” this is the self-confidence inspired to the youth in Gegharkunik marz by a seminar on how to use the RA Freedom of Information Law organized by FOI Center on May 8. Thirty-six active civil society members from around the marz participated in the training.

The expert Marine Hakobyan informed the young people that the exercise of the right starts from having information. She also explained what is freedom of information, how to exercise this freedom and this right, as well as the procedures and timeframes for acquiring information, grounds for refusal of information requests, etc. The presenter also informed the young people on how to combine work and studies, how to find professional job opportunities, as well as rights and responsibilities of students and different players in educational institutions. The young people were more interested in the freedom of information related to the studying and employment.

On the same day, FOI Center organized another discussion for Gegharkunik marz’s local self-governance representatives on how to apply FOI law. The FOI Center’s and National Assembly’s expert Marine Hakobyan presented the details of the FOI Law: procedures for the classifying, processing and preserving of information, information that is subject to mandatory publication, list of grounds for refusing information requests, etc.

Artur Ghukasyan, the Deputy Marzpet of Gegharkunik, was present at the meeting. The Deputy Marzpet emphasized the meeting’s importance and said that “80 percent of citizens’ complaints to marzpetaran are caused by lack of information.” Awareness of the FOI law and basing the work of community leaders on freedom of information standards would increase the level of information that the public gets.

Unlike in other marzes visited by FOI Center, the meeting with local self-governance officials in Gegharkunik marz was very passive: either community leaders were well aware of the FOI law or they were intimidated by the Deputy Marzpet’s presence, or….

The event was conducted with financial assistance of USAID within the framework of “ACCESS TO INFORMATION FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT” project.