“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be
judged by the way its animals are treated”
Mahatma Gandhi
Mission: To strive achieving excellence in protecting
animals’ rights from cruelty of human society.
Armenia is a small country in the Caucasus, which is
independent since 1993. Due to this hard way of transition, economical
situation in the country was and is very changeable and people here
are fond of material well-being and have forgotten about a lot of
spiritual things. Previously existed good condition of our wild and
animals’ world turned into present terrible situation, where people
“destroy” everything on their way including animals.
Our NGO is a new established entity and has strong
goals to achieve. The main reason of establishing our organization is
to fight against cruelty of population and governmental structures
related of wildlife and animals. We did some research and during that
process we realized that situation concerning animal welfare in
Armenia is close to dramatic and it is quite possible that in a while
there will be nothing left to protect!!!
Even more, local government authorities (members of
parliament) make efforts in order to contribute to “hunting animals
from Red Book for a few thousand Euro”. (http://www.hetq.am/eng/society/0502-safari.html).
The government took its decision in the hope that hunting would
encourage the development of tourism in the region.
In September 2004 the Government of Armenia gave the
permission to hunt for certain animals to be used in scientific
research by the Institute of Zoology of the Academy of Science. These
included “the following kinds of male animals over 8 years of age:
Berzoarian goats – up to five animals; Armenian mouflon (wild sheep) –
up to five animals; bears –up to two animals”. These animals are
mentioned in the Red Book!
Due to these reasons our
NGO set up goals to educate children at schools, teach youth to
respect animals rights and live in harmony with the nature.
Through our activity to protect animals’ rights we
intend to implement:
Stimulate children’s and youth interest
in and curiosity about their surrounding – wildlife.
Increase their knowledge and
understanding of the changing attitude to the wildlife.
Develop children’s and youth competence
in wildlife issues.
Foster a sense of responsibility for the
animals and its resources as the members of the planet.
Develop an interest of people, their
respect and concern for wildlife welfare regardless their social
group.
Raise Public awareness (PR)
Printing brochures, leaflets, posters,
and calendars concerning wildlife issues.
Writing articles, letters to editors for
public newsletters and magazines.
Attract famous people interest to
wildlife issues and to make a radio and TV programs for children and
youth concerning nowadays problems and animals’ rights.
Lobbying
To influence government policy and its
implementation.
To strive to build partnerships with
other organizations, governments, business and local communities.
During this short period we are going to become a
member of the “World Society for the Protection Animals –WSPA”. Of
course we have to apply for grants to realize our goals and mission
into reality. We believe that only collaboration will be a real power
to save our planet and nature. We must never forget that animals don’t
have nationality.
Their rights should be protected by all people in
our earth because nature is a source of our life and should be treated
carefully.
Contact: Yervand Shlepchyan
Animals’ Rights In Armenian Highlands – ARIAH Mail: 90 G. Artsruni st. #33, Yerevan 375012, Armenia Tel: +(37491) 217392, +(37491) 218359 E-mail:makar@xter.net
or
info@ariah.am
Website :
www.ariah.am
Important Notice : Contributions and articles
published on the animal_net website are the responsibility of the
individuals who wrote them, and do not necessarily represent the
opinions of animal_net
