On 6 November, an online public awareness seminar was held with the participation of non-governmental organizations, human rights defenders, lawyers and other interested persons of Gegharkunik, Armavir and Kotayk marzes. The Armenian Lawyers’ Association, the CSOs Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia and the Constructive Dialogue Network of Armenian CSOs organized the seminar in the framework of the “Multifaceted Whistle-Blowing Promotion in Armenia” project implemented by the ALA with the support of the European Union and the “Open Government Partnership Europe” Foundation.

The main objective of the discussion was to raise public awareness about the whistle-blowing system, assisting in the improvement of the whistle-blowing system and to change the legal perception and culture of the public in Armenia about the whistle-blowers. It is also aimed at creating a positive and demanding image of the whistle-blower as a citizen of the Republic of Armenia.

Ms Mariam Zadoyan and Ms Anahit Mardoyan delivered speeches at the seminar. The speakers first spoke about the general nature of the whistleb-lowing system and the role of whistle-blowers, and then presented all the electronic whistle-blowing platforms operating in Armenia.

Further, having the aim to organize a more interactive discussion, speaker Mariam Zadoyan presented the haytnir.am alternative electronic whistle-blowing platform created within the framework of the “Multifaceted Whistle-Blowing Promotion in Armenia” project, the sections available on the platform and the sequence of steps for submitting an application through the platform. The speaker then offered to test it in practice and asked participants to submit test applications to further solidify the sequence of steps.

Ms Satik Badeyan, a representative of the “Regional Development and Research” NGO, of Gegharkunik marz, welcomed the initiative of such awareness seminars and stated that such seminars should be organized on a larger scale and with the support of state bodies.

The participants welcomed with great enthusiasm the organization of such awareness workshop and all steps aimed at raising public awareness regarding the whistle-blowing system.