“Journalists Against Terrorism and Violence” – October 25-26, 2000, Yerevan, Armenia, International Conference, dedicated to the anniversary of the tragedy of October 27, 1999 in RA National Assembly . The Conference was organized by the YPC jointly with Journalists Union of Armenia and Internews Armenia, and supported by the East-East Program of the Open Society Institute, Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Germany), the USA and UK Embassies in Armenia. Participants (more than 100 in number) represented the media, journalistic associations and NGOs of Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Tajikistan, Kirghizia, Northern Ireland, as well as Armenian press services, state bodies and diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia. The address of RA President Robert Kocharian was read out at the Conference. Main issues discussed: social roots of terrorism; terrorism and media; the role of professional solidarity of journalists in prevention of terrorism and protection of freedom of speech; the behavior of journalists and media in emergencies. A collection of extracts from the Conference was published in three languages (Armenian, English, Russian). During the Conference documentaries were demonstrated. The participants commemorated the victims of the terrorist attack of October 27 by a visit to the tombs. Under the action a Commemoration Evening was organized where “Requiem” by Mozart was performed. The participants of the Conference were received by Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.
“Challenges of the New Millennium and Media” – September 8-10, 2000, Sevan, Armenia, Seminar, organized by the YPC and supported by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The participants (40 in number) represented the media, non-governmental and political organizations, higher education and scientific institutions of Armenia. Main issues discussed: the globalization processes in Armenia and the involvement of Armenian media; the advantages and disadvantages of globalization for countries in transition; new information technologies and the work of media.
“Trade Union Solidarity for Peace and Conflict Resolution” – 1-3 July 2000, Tsaghkadzor, Armenia, Caucasus Regional Conference, organized by the YPC together with International Federation of Journalists and Council of Europe. Participants (over 30 in number) represented the media of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Mountainous Karabagh, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, the local and foreign NGOs, OSCE Office in Yerevan, experts from Belgium, France, the USA, the UK. The work was conducted at two workshops: “Reporting on Conflicts in the Media” (training for journalists, trainers – Jake Lynch and Annabel McGoldrick, representatives of British organization “Conflict and Peace Forums”); “Trade Union Cooperation” (panel discussions and presentations by representatives of professional organizations). The participants of the Conference passed protest-declaration on the arrest and the verdicts adopted by Mountainous Karabagh courts of primary and secondary jurisdictions of Karabagh journalist “Journalists Against Terrorism and Violence” – October 25-26, 2000, Yerevan, Armenia, International Conference, dedicated to the anniversary of Vahram Aghajanian.
“Cooperation of NGOs and Media in South Caucasus” – June 20-22, 2000, Chakvi, Georgia, Regional Conference, organized by the YPC jointly with “Yeni Nesil” Journalists Union of Azerbaijan and Tbilisi Press Club under the trilateral Project “NGO and Media: Civil Participation” supported by Eurasia Foundation’s Caucasus Synergy Program. Participants (30 in number) represented the media and NGOs of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia. Main issues discussed: role of media and NGOs in the strengthening of cooperation in South Caucasus, in ensuring the transparency of state structures, fighting corruption, solving of environmental problems, establishing a common information field; influence of international organizations on the regional integration processes; civil and political rights in South Caucasus; post-conflict rehabilitation in South Caucasus. The extracts of the Conference were published in English and Russian languages.
“Armenian Media in Extreme Situations” – June 2-4, 2000, Byurakan, Armenia, Seminar, organized by YPC and supported by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Participants (40 in number) represented the media, non-governmental and political organizations of Armenia. Main issues discussed: the activities of media during political campaigns of public significance; influence of the media reporting on the events of October 27, 1999 (terrorist attack in RA NA) and of March 22, 2000 (attempted assassination of the President of Mountainous Karabagh) on the inner political situation; sociological researches on the work of media in extreme situations; journalistic solidarity in extreme situations.
“Problem of Landmines at the Caucasus and its Coverage by the Media” – April 19-21, 2000, Tsaghkadzor, Armenia, Regional Seminar, organized by the YPC jointly with Armenian National Committee of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Russian Committee “Doctors of the World to Prevent Nuclear War”. Participants (50 in number) represented NGOs and media of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Mountainous Karabagh, Abkhazia, Russia, as well as RA Ministries of Defence, Social Security and Health, OSCE Office in Yerevan, international structures. Main issues discussed: mine clearing, the role of media and NGOs in increasing the awareness of population towards landmine danger; cooperation of journalists in the issues of post-conflict rehabilitation.
“Role of the Media in the Establishment of Civil Society” – February 29 – March 3, 2000, Gudauri, Georgia, Regional Seminar, organized by the YPC and supported by the Council of Europe and Winston Foundation for Peace under “Media in Transition” Project co-financed by the European Initiative for Democracy and the Protection of Human Rights. Participants (55 in number) represented the media, journalistic and non-governmental organizations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Mountainous Karabagh, Turkmenistan, the United Kingdom, France, reputed international organizations, among them – OSCE and Council of Europe. Main issues discussed: transformations in reporting on conflicts in the South Caucasus media; the role and the activities of media during the political events of public significance in the region; the mission of the media in the establishment of civil society. The main distinguishing feature of the Seminar: the participants for the first time openly talked about ethnic conflicts, a painful subject that had previously remained untouched in order not to strain the situation and not to destroy delicate bridges of mutual understanding.
