The DEPOP Institute for Governance, a think tank based in Yerevan focused on improving governance and the rule of law in Armenia, is announcing three projects aimed at increasing civic awareness and accountability of voters, candidates, and all political forces. The participation of the diaspora in the development and improvement of values with which Armenia was founded on necessarily involves participating in the improvement of the political culture in Armenia, thus making a concrete contribution to the strengthening of the democratization process. In this sense, the upcoming parliamentary elections
that are to be held on April 2, 2017 constitute a unique opportunity but also pose a major challenge. The DEPOP Institute for Governance was created in order to contribute to the provision of fair and transparent elections, aiming to develop a different political culture in Armenia long-term.
In 2013, a research group was formed to study the depopulation crisis in this country and the root causes of the alarming rates of emigration. DEPOP, as the group came to be called, completed and published a report titled The Depopulation Crisis of Armenia on its website in 2013. The DEPOP Institute For Governance, a logical emanation of this first group, was created in January of this year as part of a collective effort by civil society to
contribute to good governance, particularly in the context of the upcoming parliamentary elections to be held on April 2nd, 2017. Our NGO targets three primary initiatives to raise public awareness through social, economic, and political debates, as well as inspiring messages. These initiatives are: The Pressing Club is a format of discussions and debates that
These initiatives are: The Pressing Club is a format of discussions and debates that
The Pressing Club is a format of discussions and debates that unites key decision-makers from various political, economic, and civic sectors to discuss central issues Armenia faces. The project is the fruit of the cooperation with the redaction of the newspaper “168Zham.” It started in the beginning of February 2017 with a duration of nine weeks, and will continue until one week following the parliamentary elections.
Status Quo is a project based on the cooperation with the Public Radio of Armenia. It consists of a series of radio programs broadcasted in Armenia’s entire territory and Artsakh, as well as among diaspora communities worldwide. The program attempts to combat electoral bribes and corruption. There will be nine radio programs
prior to the elections. The radio show will host experts in the respective fields of every program topic and is live broadcasted with the potential of including live calls from listeners to ask questions.
“April is my future” (Public Service Announcements – PSAs). First showing at the press conference of the DEPOP Institute For Governance on March 2nd, 2017. The goal of these four PSAs is to influence the behavioral pattern of the general electoral public in the election process. Among other things, the PSAs will feature beloved Armenian celebrities that will encourage people to adjust recurring negative habits that form
during the election process, such as not participating in the elections, or accepting electoral bribes.
The spreading of the PSAs will be granted via social media. The DEPOP Institute for Governance will ask the media to broadcast the four clips during their emissions. Similarly, all political alliances and parties taking part in the ongoing electoral competition will be invited to dedicate a portion of their time, at their disposal, to
broadcast the four clips during the electoral campaign on the official TVs.
At the end of April 2017, our NGO will publish a comprehensive report about its activities and results.
