ANNUAL REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ARMENIAN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION FOR 2006
5. COOPERATION
The Interchurch Organization for Development Co-operation (ICCO) was founded in 1964 having the aim of poverty alleviation and elimination of injustice all over the world. ICCO supports programs, which stimulate and enable people, in their own way, to organize dignified housing and living conditions. AYLA has established cooperation with ICCO since 2005.
Since 2000, AYLA has established cooperation with Eurasia Foundation, a non-profit grantmaking organization funding programs that build democratic and free market institutions, and are aimed at the development of the civil society, public and local government, as well as private entrepreneurship. The foundation is headquartered in Washington, and has started its activities in Armenia since 1995.
The Embassy of the United States of America in Armenia was founded in 1992. The Embassy realizes assistance programs that are aimed at the development of an open and pluralistic civil society, a functioning market economy, and a stable political environment in the region. The U.S. Embassy is responsible for maintaining day-to-day relations between the U.S. and Armenian governments, and for providing consular services to citizens.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent federal government agency that conducts the US foreign assistance and humanitarian aid programs worldwide. In cooperation with local private and non-governmental organizations USAID reveals the needs and elaborates strategies aimed at providing support for these countries. USAID/Armenia program is carried out through contracts with the US private sector and volunteer organizations, as well as through grants in the spheres provided by the USAID Mission in Armenia. The vision for USAID’s Mission to Armenia is collaborating with Armenian partners to achieve a more equitably prosperous, democratic, and stable country, which will provide corresponding possibilities to its citizens.
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, which has offices in 166 countries. UNDP Country Office in Armenia was established in 1993. UNDP's Mandate is poverty reduction. As in other countries, UNDP in Armenia supports the government to accomplish the millennial development agenda and reach the overarching goal of cutting poverty in half by 2015.
The Law Foundation of Armenia was founded in 2003. The main goals of the Foundation are to assist to the implementation of legal and judicial reforms in the Republic of Armenia, assist to the establishment and development of the advocacy institute in the republic, as well as to improve the professional skills and raise the role of advocates. It also supports to the establishment of the law schools and the law faculties of other institutes of RA, and promotes to the improvement of the quality and efficacy of legal education in the law schools and the law faculties of other institutes.
The “LEGAL ALLIANCE” Law Firm was established in 1997 with the aim of providing quality legal services to its clients and becoming a leading firm in the legal market. The Firm has been developed dynamically since its inception and it now meets the demanding legal requirements of top domestic and international commercial firms. “LEGAL ALLIANCE” Law Firm is now a pioneering law firm in Armenia, providing accessible and highly qualified legal services to individuals and business entities. The Law Firm has a network of offices, which operate nationwide and provides access to its services in the RA provinces as well. “LEGAL ALLIANCE” Law Firm is a company providing comprehensive legal services to private individuals as well as businessmen. It works with major multinational corporations and financial institutions, as well as with a broad range of clients including the family and private businesses.
The “Foundation for Small and Medium Businesses” (FSMB) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1998 and dedicated to enhance the formation and growth of small and medium sized business sector in Armenia by developing and sponsoring high-qualified assistance to small and medium businesses; helping business people and organizations to share resources, knowledge and experience and encouraging them in developing cooperation and partnership. The goal of FSMB is to improve the business environment by higher ethical standards of practice, better methods, increased efficiency and broader knowledge. FSMB provides services for business community to share resources, expertise, and problem solving in international business. The Foundation helps the small and medium sized entrepreneurs to form new strategic alliances and gain a wide perspective on conditions in all fields of endeavors. The Foundation cooperates with different local and international organizations. FSMB is one of the founding and active members of the National Anti-Corruption Coalition (now Forum) of Non-Governmental Organizations, which was established in 2001, and has participated in Anti-Corruption Strategy of RA development process.
“Shen” Benevolent Non-Governmental Organization was created in 1988, having the mission to promote social and economic development and empowerment of remote and vulnerable rural communities of Armenia with active involvement of community members. The organization strives to transfer new knowledge and skills, create employment, and improve community infrastructures.
Center for Public Dialogue and Development NGO (CPDD) has started its activities in September 2002.
The main aim of CPDD activities is enhancing healthy public dialogue around existing painful and actual problems, making the ongoing reforms more transparent for the public, and integration to the regional and European community. Since its establishment the organization has carried out over 70 seminars and roundtable discussions, as well as published booklets. The CPPD cooperates with the US Embassy in Armenia and the All Armenian Fund. Currently the Center is implementing a number of projects, which are aimed at enhancing cooperation between the NGOs.
The International Law Students Association (ILSA) is a non-profit association of students and young lawyers dedicated to the study and promotion of international law. The Association joins the resources of all law schools and strives to make them accessible for all member organizations. Its history is closely linked with its flagship activity, the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Since its creation, ILSA has been an important influence in ensuring that future generations of law students learn the significance of international law. Currently through its programs and support, ILSA provides essential educational resources to future generations of lawyers and other international professionals worldwide, which will contribute to the development of world order and international law.
The Armenian Bar Association was formed in 1989 in the US to provide an arena for lawyers of Armenian heritage and other interested individuals to come together socially and professionally and to address the legal concerns of the Armenian community. With the creation of an independent Republic of Armenia, the Association undertook the task of helping to build and encourage the growth of democratic institutions in Armenia. Professional growth and community advancement are the main goals of the organization. The Association is committed to serve the profession of law, the interests of its members, and the rights of its constituents.
The European Young Bar Association (EYBA) is a non-profit making, multinational young lawyers association founded on 23 May 1993 in Prague. The group now represents the interests of over 200,000 young lawyers and is the world's largest young lawyers group. EYBA was established to encourage links between and to promote the interests and welfare of young lawyers throughout geographical Europe. AYLA joined The European Young Bar Association in 1998.
The range of the AYLA partners and associates is growing constantly. Currently the AYLA cooperates with over 50 NGOs, as well as with a dozen of international and foreign organizations. The organization cooperates with different state structures, RA Government, the staff of the President of the RA, the institutes of judiciary system and others.
AYLA consolidates its links with the partners and strives to establish and promotes the establishment of new cooperation between AYLA and other organizations.
The AYLA President hosted in AYLA’s Central Office Ms Zwaantje van't Veer, Program Officer for Europe and Central Asia of Dutch ICCO organization; Mr. David S. Bernstein, Senior Public Sector Specialist of the World Bank Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Department for Europe and Central Asia Region and Mr. Davit Melikyan, Operation Analyst of the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Unit, and the First Secretary of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Georgia and Armenia Ms Janet Alberda, Deputy Head of Mission; the representatives of Royal Netherlands Embassy in Georgia and Armenia, Ms Camilla Veerman, the Second Secretary of the Embassy and Ms Sophiko Gelashvili, Civil Society Programme Manager (MATRA), Mr. Thomas D. Mittnacht, Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy and Ms Naira Gyulnazaryan, Grants Manager of Public Affairs Department of the US Embassy; Ms Karlier Annelieke, CRI program representative of Caritas International. The meetings obviously indicate the interest of different international organizations in AYLA and outline the expansion of the range of partners. This will be of great importance for the development of the organization and efficient realization of projects.
AYLA attaches much importance and appreciates cooperation with Mass Media, which is indispensable for ensuring the efficiency and transparency of all organizations’ activities, as well as public awareness. All the events organized by the AYLA are covered by Mass Media, which has a rather constructive meaning for the organization’s activities.
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