Educational programmes and ecological awareness

Arrange of educational and training programmes in Armenia include issues relating to biodiversity conservation. In secondary schools, pupils learn about biodiversity from the 4th grade through courses on natural sciences and zoology. In most schools, field trips are also organised to botanic gardens and zoos. Biodiversity conservation is also covered in a number of advanced courses run by higher education institutions, including both State and private universities. A variety of courses relate to biological and social aspects of conservation, along with environmental protection, ecological policy development and environmental economics.

Public awareness of biodiversity is relatively low in Armenia. Little information on this issue is broadcast on State radio or television, although articles about the environment appear regularly in the press. The only television programme about nature is broadcast twice a month, but generally presents foreign documentary films, rather than describing the problems facing biodiversity and its protection in Armenia. A popular science magazine (Armenian Nature) which discussed many issues relating to biodiversity conservation was produced until 1995, but then folded due to financial difficulties. The Ministry of Nature Protection has published a newsletter (Nature) since 1998, which includes many articles on environmental protection. However the print run and distribution of this publication is very limited.

International recognition of the importance of public awareness has resulted in the development of the UN Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation Decision-Making, and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters. Armenia signed to this convention at Aarhus in 1998, and once the government ratifies the document the dissemination of environmental information and mechanisms for public participation will be clarified.

International biodiversity conservation projects

Various projects, funded through international sources, have been undertaken in Armenia, and underline the global significance of biodiversity conservation. Such projects include:

• A review of Forest Sector Development, financed by FAO (1993-1995).
• The Country Study on Climate Change, financed by GEF (1997-1999).
• A Forest Resources Assessment, funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (1998).
• The Lake Sevan Action Plan, funded by the World Bank.
• The National Environmental Action Plan includes a review of issues relating to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and a number of priority areas for action were identified. The data and priorities identified by the NEAP have been incorporated wherever possible into the BSAP to ensure the plans are compatible and mutually reinforcing

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