"I am what I am because of who we all are"
The British Council has launched ACTIVE CITIZENS project in Armenia.
The organization said in a press release that they tried to follow President of South Africa Nelson Mandela who was guided by the philosophy of "Ubuntu." This is an ethic or humanist philosophy focusing on people's allegiances and relations with each other. The philosophy is based on the principle "I am what I am because of who we all are," which, according to Mandela, will lead to the establishment of true democracy.
In 2010-11 Active Citizens in Armenia will be piloted in Yeghegnadzor, Vayots Dzor and the nearby villages with possible future extension to other marzes of Armenia.
Local youth will elaborate and implement programmes in their communities.
The programme will start on November 22
Before that, international exchanges and networking will be organized for the participants providing an opportunity to experience international practises and learn from other countries. Knowledge of English will be a requirement for participation.
Local training workshops will focus on global citizenship, working effectively with difference and agenda setting in order to achieve better understanding of the local community and global interdependency. The trainings will also cover such areas as project concept development, project management, social entrepreneurship, fundraising, effective networking etc.
The trainings will be followed by cascading workshops delivered by the project participants in their own networks and communities.
The programme is delivered in partnership with the Armenian Young Women's Association Yeghegnadzor branch.
Half of the 60 applicants bidding for the programme have been chosen.
Active Citizens was launched in 2009 in the UK and eight counties of Africa and Asia including Nigeria, Nepal, Kenya, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
In 2010, twenty other counties started the project in North, Central and South-East Europe and Israel.
