The Sunchild International Environmental Festival, which will be held in Yerevan from October 25 to 29, will focus attention on wildlife and nature preservation issues in Armenia.
For the first time, an Audience Award will be given at the Sunchild International Environmental Festival to symbolize the role of public participation in environmental decision-making. The Award will be bestowed by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in recognition of the role of the UNECE Aarhus Convention in linking ecological issues and democracy.
According to Arminfo news agency, the festival program comprises a wide range of film programs and various environmental activities and campaigns. Eighty-five films from 35 countries will be shown, 16 of which will take part in a competition program. There will be no entrance fees for any of the featured films and the festival has organized meetings between the directors and environmentalists with audience members.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Issues of Armenia in cooperation with Germany's GTZ has organized a seminar titled, ‘'Professional Guidance'' for 150 children from the ages of 13 to 15 from Yerevan and four other regions of Armenia, Lori, Tavoush, Ararat, and Vayots Dzor. The seminar will emphasize the importance of ecological education.
Public discussions will be organised with the OSCE about ecological issues such as regional water management, recycling of hazardous waste and climate change. Representatives of public and state organizations, regional specialists and experts will share their views with the audience and answer questions.
Along with other events scheduled over the course of the festival, rock bands will join in to help raise awareness of environmental issues among young people.
The Sunchild Festival will also address those businesses who must take serious measures in preserving the scarce natural resources of the country for future generations. In this regard, an international panel of experts will participate in a seminar entitled "Corporative Social Responsibility (CSR)" to introduce the concept of CSR to Armenian companies.
The festival aims to serve as a stage for regional dialogue as well. Over 60 guests from all over the world including film directors, artists, representatives of international organizations and famous environmentalists will take part in the festival.
[Source: The Armenian Reporter, retrieved on 26 October 2009]
