Yerevan, 15 December 2011 – Photos of Vanadzor, which highlight the positive sides of the city and call to the citizen activism, were presented to the public at the exhibition dedicated to the International Volunteer Day. This exhibition, which presented some 30 bright photos, made by teenagers from the Vanadzor public schoolsN 6, 13, 25, is a part of the project aimed to assist the educational system of the Lori region, to increase youth activism. The project is implemented by the Italian non-governmental organization the International Committee for the Development of Peoples(CISP). Maria Dotsenko, UN Department of Public Information Representative in Armenia said: “Youth from Lori region joined millions of people around globe, who are volunteering and thus helping to advance sustainable development and peace. This engagement takes many forms: volunteering organizations, individuals working on their own in their communities, and service with us and our partners as UN Volunteers. Important that these young people understand already that they themselves can make a difference in a life of their community and city.” The schoolchildren were trained on photography by the professional Armenian photographers Alina Aleksanyan and Albert Babelyan. This is the third exhibition within a wider framework of workshops and activities with students; the last one was organized in Vanadzor Fine Art Museum in November 2011. Sara Bellarosa, Country Representative of the CISP in Armenia added: “We appreciate that the UN supported our initiative and provided these children with the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas with a wider audience, to become the heroes of the day and to perceive that their voice and actions matter. Now they will be more motivated to continue being active members of their communities.” The exhibition was organized by the UN Department of Public Yerevan Office together with the Italian NGO CISP. The CISP has carried out and implements projects of humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation and development in more than 30 countries worldwide. Its main goal is to implement and plan development policies and projects through a constructive dialogue with the principal actors (donors, beneficiaries, partners and local institutions, including educational institutions and students/schoolchildren) involved in their preparation and implementation.

---