On 3 and 8 November, public awareness online seminars with the participation of non-governmental organizations, human rights defenders, lawyers and other interested persons of Syunik and neighboring marzes were held. The Armenian Lawyers’ Association, 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 presented to the participants the general nature of the whistle-blowing system and the role of whistle-blowers in the fight against corruption, spoke about all the electronic whistle-blowing platforms operating in Armenia. Further, they explained in details and presented the process of submitting a report/application, for the persons who have doubts about corruption, anonymously and openly on each platform.

Mariam Zadoyan offered the participants of the two seminars to carry out practical work. The participants submitted a test application on the haytnir.am alternative whistle-blowing platform created within the framework of the "Multifaceted Whistle-Blowing (WB) Promotion in Armenia" project and got acquainted with the rules of submitting an application on the platform in a practical format. The speaker also referred to the legislative gaps and problems of reporting, as well as methods of reporting.

Further an exchange of ideas with the participants of the seminar as well as collection of ideas was held.

While studying the electronic whistle-blowing platform haytnir.am, Armenak Davtyan, a representative of the “In the Name of Freedom” Legal Non-Governmental Organization of Syunik Marz,  was interested in the mechanisms of generating statistics and publishing success stories.

Lawyer Hrayr Khachatryan, a representative of the "Law for the Rule of Law" NGO of Syunik Marz, was interested in the effectiveness of electronic whistle-blowing platforms. In particular, the lawyer wanted to know the statistical data of the "bizprotect.am" business sector whistle-blowing electronic platform and the level of efficiency of the platform since its putting in operation.

The participants welcomed such an initiative aimed at public awareness and expressed gratitude for the new information and knowledge they received.