AEN News & Press Releases

Feb 25 2013

Armenian Environmental Network Launches San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

On January 27, 2013, the Armenian Environmental Network (AEN) marked the launch of its new San Francisco Bay Area Chapter with an event hosted by the University of San Francisco (USF).  The event, which was attended by 70 people, was organized in partnership with the University’s Department of Environmental Science and the Associated Students of USF Sustainability Committee.  Full Press Release.  Video of the event.

Jan 7 2013

Training of Teachers in Berd

In late January, 2013 AEN and Green Lane will conduct training sessions for 10 science teachers in the town of Berd in Tavush marz.  The trainings will cover general environmental themes such as introduction to ecosystems, food webs, green communities, recycling, composting and so on.  Trainings will include educational methodologies new to their system.  Increased student participation and enhanced abilities in critical thinking, particularly as concerns environmental issues, are the ultimate objectives.  Teachers and students in Berd’s five public schools will be the initial beneficiaries of the trainings with the hope to expand the trainings to additional schools in the future.  Target grade levels are 5th through 12th grade.  Follow-up trainings will take place in February with supplementary sessions taking place in March and April. Click here for more information about the project.

Dec 19 2012

Armenian Government Ignores Concerns Raised by 14 Organizations about Teghut Mine

A coalition of 14 prominent organizations including Armenia Tree Project (ATP) and Armenian Environmental Network (AEN) sent a letter to President Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan on October 30, requesting an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Teghut mining project. The coalition recently received a response to the letter from Edgar Pirumyan, Ministry of Nature Protection Chief of Staff, who said that an EIA was completed within the scope of the law and that the project was therefore approved.  Full Press Release.

Nov 23 2012

Kick-off Community Meeting in Berd

AEN, Green Lane NGO, and the Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development (UFSD) held a “kick-off” community meeting, on November 23, with approximately 100 citizens of the town of Berd in Tavush marz in attendance.  The kick-off was the first activity in AEN’s Integrated Waste Management Project (IWMP), which seeks to assist the region in organizing and efficiently handling its solid waste disposal. The audience, which included the newly elected mayor of Berd, Harutunyan Manucharyan, enthusiastically embraced the prospect of assisting in the cleaning of the town and surrounding environs.  The IWMP will see the implementation of environmental lessons in the town’s five schools, covering topics than include ecosystems, food webs, recycling, reuse of resources, and creating a green community.  Additionally the IWMP will initiate a public service announcement campaign, provide recycle bins for plastic bottles, streamline the waste collection process and conduct workshops on composting of organic wastes.  Source separation of wastes (in the homes) will be the targeted goal for the IWMP with the construction of an environmentally sound, appropriate technology landfill being the culminating activity.  Limn Architects and JFS Engineering, both from New Jersey, are the design specialists for the unique landfill.

Jun 5 2012

AEN’s volunteers organized a children’s chalk drawing session in the town of Berd, in the Shamshadin Region of Northern Armenia

The event was part of a pan-Armenian flash mob that took place simultaneously in Yerevan, Hrazdan, Alaverdi, Haghpat,  Aparan, Eghvard, Ijevan, Gavar and Berd. Its aim was to raise children’s awareness of garbage-related problems in preparation for Let’s do it! Armenia clean-up initiative that AEN is part of. As on June 5th Lilit and Gosia were up in the town of Berd where AEN will implement its Integrated Waste Management Project, they joined the event with local children.

Mar 29 2012

Green Path youth forum series launched at American University of Armenia

AEN’s first youth forum was held at the American University of Armenia. Twenty three young students came together with environmental activist and head of Eco-Era NGO, Hrayr Savzyan, in order to discuss the illegal construction of boutiques and kiosks in a local public park. This event was organized in partnership with “Tapan” Eco-Club, and was the first in a series of forums called, Green Path. See Green Path’s Facebook page here.

May 3 2011

Panel Discussion on Transparency in the Armenian Environmental Context

WASHINGTON, D.C.–AEN and the Armenian Network of America co-sponsored a panel discussion about the role of transparency in the context of Armenian environmental issues. Speakers at the event included Sona Ayvazyan, Environmental Program Officer at Transparency International’s Yerevan office; Arsen Kharatyan, Armenian social activist and broadcaster for Voice of America; and Nick Martin, CEO and President at TechChange, a technology and social media organization.  Full Event Announcement.

Nov 12 2008

International Development Seminar: Institutional barriers to improvement in energy and public health in Armenia

WASHINGTON, D.C.—AEN were joined by the Armenian Network of America to present up to date information on energy and public health in Armenia. The presenters included Charles Dunlap, senior program manager of the US Civilian Research and Development Foundation, and Isabella Bablumian, consultant at the World Bank. Full Press Release.

June 19 2008

Public Forum on Sustainable Development Strategies For Armenia’s Future

WATERTOWN, M.A.–Armenia Tree Project joined with AEN and a number of cosponsoring organizations to host a public forum titled “Sustainable Development Strategies for Armenia’s Future.  According to studies by international forestry experts, Armenia is one of the vulnerable countries with a forest cover of less than 10 percent. As a result, Armenia faces challenges caused by erosion, landslides, water management, climate change, and desertification. A number of factors have contributed to this crisis, some of which are related to geopolitics, poverty, corruption, and poor land management practices.  This event was cosponsored by Armenia Tree Project, Armenian Assembly, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Environmental Network, Armenian National Committee, and Vem Media Arts. Full Press Release.

Feb 6 2008

Current Research in Public Health Issues in Armenia

WASHINGTON, D.C.–The Armenian Environmental Network (AEN) hosted a policy discussion on “Current Challenges to Environment and Public Health in Armenia:  A Policy Discussion” on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at the World Bank in Washington. Full Press Release.

Apr 9 2007

Armenian Environmental Network Launches New Environmental Discussion Series

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The topic discussed was “Deforestation in Armenia and the Path to Recovery.”  The panelists included Charles Dunlap, senior program manager of the US Civilian Research and Development Foundation, Frauke Jungbluth, senior rural development economist at the World Bank, Jeffrey Tufenkian, president of Armenian Forests NGO (AFNGO), and Jeff Masarjian, executive director of Armenia Tree Project (ATP).The Armenian Environmental Network (AEN) hosted its inaugural event in Washington on Monday, April 9 at the World Bank.  Full Press Releases.