Publications
ARMENIA 2012 - A YEAR OF CHOICES
Friday, 25 January 2013 15:19 |
  
 This is the fifth year that Civilitas looks back at the year past and attempts to assess the events and trends within Armenia, and around us. It is always a challenge not to reduce this annual publication to a list of events. The intent is to focus on trends and institutional change. Each year, however, it becomes harder to say something new given the slow process of institutional change.2012 was different only in that there were more choices to be made — by the people and by the rulers. Neighbors to the north made those choices and are living with the consequences, sometimes surprising, but comfortable in the knowledge that the choices were theirs. In Armenia, in a year that was both an election year and a pre-election year, there were choices to be made by the various political players — to seriously collaborate and compete, or to do the minimum necessary to remain a player. There were choices for the ruling party — to prepare for elections by responding to electors’ needs or merely pretending. There were choices for those in government — to nurture a competitive economic environment with room for everyone, or to focus on limiting the field and collecting the crumbs. There were similar choices to be made by the business elite — to profit legally and contribute to the public sector, or to continue to profit illegally and live at the expense of the public sector. Within the neighborhood and on the global stage, the choices were between visionary engagement and reactive rhetoric. Finally, the active segment of the public, too, had choices to make — which battles to fight, which alliances to make. In the resultant disappointed environment, the people, too, made choices. They had two ways of responding to disappointment. The Economist Albert Hirschmann said either ‘with their feet or by staying put and complaining.’ This year, many chose the first. Those who chose the second did so half-heartedly, without hope. With two exceptions. First, those seeking greater political power and responsibility managed to get past the inability and plain refusal to reach out and collaborate with others seeking change, albeit differently. Second, a small new group, who proudly claimed no interest in politics, nevertheless were both vocal, active and demanding. There will be more choices to make in the year to come — in Armenia and Azerbaijan and Georgia. Then, the peoples in each of these societies will have to demonstrate that they want the right to make choices and will defend that right. Full report (pdf) |
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This second annual country report comes to build on the analysis and projections made in the Civilitas Foundation’s 
Vartan Oskanian's book “Speaking To Be Heard: A Decade of Speeches” has just been published in English and Armenian.
This publication is intended to be an annual overview of the political and economic situation in Armenia, as well as those global and regional developments that affect Armenia and the region. 2008 began with a political campaign season, moved on to the presidential election in February, then the tragic events of March, which colored all subsequent domestic political and social processes for the rest of the year. Economically, expectations were that 2008 would be a difficult year in which to try to sustain the double-digit growth of years past and begin to make some real headway in reducing economic disparities by introducing second generation reforms. Those expectations were fulfilled and compounded when the US financial crisis mushroomed into a global emergency that also infected Armenia.The Civilitas Community shares stories about daily challenges and successes. Today: Lost in Istanbul
A day by day look at the investigation by the National Security Service into Civilitas's financial and administrative work.
Chronology
Civilitas Statement
National Security Service Statement
The Political Context
Transaction Summary
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The overall objective of the project is to improve access to water for the population of remote villages in the region of Meghri. The specific objectives of the project are to restore and reconstruct the underground water supply system of wells and tunnels (chaheriz) in Alvank and Shvanidzor villages and to train and develop the necessary local capacity for continued further maintenance of the system.
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What can be expected of or for Syria in the immediate future? Can there be justice without peace? Can there be peace without an accounting and without justice? What do Syrians want? What does the international community want?
The guests are
Nicholas Koumjian
International Criminal Law Attorney
Vartan Oskanian
Member of Parliament
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Civil.am - your guide to civil society activity in Armenia - is a project of the Civilitas Foundation. Take a closer look to better understand what is already being done. Identify potential partners and cooperation possibilities. Support existing programs to increase efficiency. Encourage new programs to foster development.
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