UN in Armenia

Some 60 young Armenians learned more about freedom of religion, faith and belief religious tolerance and diversity, freedom of conscience and human rights at the debate led by well known human rights defender Avetik Ishkhanyan, Chairman of the Armenian Helsinki Committee.

The young people are from different religious communities, civil society activists and students of Yerevan different universities.

The event was organized by the UN Department of Public Information and was dedicated to the World Interfaith Harmony being commemorated since 2011 in the first week of February, according to the UN General Assembly.

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General said: “Respect for diversity and peaceful dialogue are essential if the human family is to cooperate globally to face shared threats and seize common opportunities. That is why efforts by States, civil society and other actors to build trust among communities and individuals lie at the heart of so many UN initiatives, from the Alliance of Civilizations to our wide-ranging work to protect human rights, promote social cohesion and build a culture of peace”.

This debate was organized in the framework of a series of debates on human rights issues, which were launched on the Human Rights Day, December 10, 2011 by the UN Department of Public Information and the Armenian Helsinki Committee.

Different UN publications in Armenian language were distributed at the event.

You can find more photos from the event here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/unarmenia/sets/72157629241245731/