Press Release

"Trustbuilding" project, the initiative
of HCA offices of South Caucasus, 25-30 August,
summercamp in Gugark, Vanadzor, Armenia.
  The event was organized by HCA Vanadzor and by the coordinator of the organization Arthur Sakunts with participation of Azerbaijani and Armenian youth.

The participants were young people from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and from the disputed region Karabakh. Arzu Abdullayeva, the coordinator of HCA ANC and co-chair of international HCA, took part in the event. The program was based on the development of intercultural dialogue which included organization of joint intellectual games, acquaintance with national cultures, traditions, study of similarities and differences, watching of films devoted to the phases of development of dissidence, civil society and national self-realization in the USSR. Watching of films were followed by interesting and hot discussions when digression to the totalitarian past helped to reveal fatal mistakes becoming the reason of bloody conflicts and hostility going on up to now between Armenian and Azerbaijani people. The kind atmosphere formed between participants of the program gave a chance to touch upon most painful issues, both on personal and public levels. The young people were trained and they revealed language, mentality and cultural similarities. One of the special activity of the program was the visit of participants to the Azerbaijani graveyard of Saral village of Lori region, 2 km from the city of Spitak. In the morning on August 29, the delegations were divided into groups and started for the village of Saral in several buses, where the representatives of local administration (rural and regional), as well as refugees from Azerbaijani Dashkesan and Kedabek regions living in Saral were waiting for them. Representatives from ICRC and journalists also participated in the event. There was a black memorial board where information on organizers and sponsors of renovation was given - initiative of HCA Vanadzor with support of Interchurch Peace Council (IKV) and ICCO. Then the participants looked at graveyards and the delegation of Gugark camp put flowers on the tombs. The participants of the camp and members of HCA remembered those who had passed away and condemned vandalism, supporting any initiatives directed to the creation and preservation of intercultural values. The members of the Azerbaijani delegation said their prayer and started for the office of HCA Vanadzor situated in the centre of the town.
On returning to the camp they started to watch the film presenting the renovation work of the graveyards. People were emotional and could not help crying when they were watching the work done by Armenians. After the film everyone expressed their opinions. They were sure that only mutual respect and trust can help in future peacebuilding. Emotional atmpsphere between all participants deserved a special attention.
On August 30, at 11:00 in the morning the Azerbaijani delegation left the camp Gugark.

04.09.2006
The press-service of Helsinki
Civil Assembly Azerbaijan
National Committee