On April 28, 2010 as a result of successful partnership between PH International ZANG Armenia Legal Socialization Program and “Reforming Juvenile Justice System in Armenia to support deinstitutionalization” project funded World Vision’s Middle East and Eastern Europe Regional Office the 7th Community Justice Center (CJC) was established in the town of Talin, Aragatson region. Like the other CJCs, established in 6 communities, the opening of newly founded center enforced within Armenia’s National Program of Child Protection, implemented by the Armenian Police, and act to provide restorative justice responses to youth reported in non-violent crimes, as well as with full support and engagement of parents and community members they serve to increase public safety and reduce juvenile crime rate in the Republic of Armenia.

GLSP organized a professional exchange to the US between January 28 and February 11, 2010. Six Georgian professionals participated in the exchange: Giorgi Gakheladze, GLSP Expert/ Civic Education Expert at the Ministry of Education and Sciences; Lia Giagauri, Director of the GLSP Public School #165; Natalia Zazashvili, Psychologist/ Director of “Saphari” NGO; Zurab Tvauri, Chief of the District Inspectors Division in Tbilisi at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia; Ramaz Gavarjaladze, Deputy Head of Adjara Police, and Nana Ioseliani, GLSP Coordinator.

GLSP organized a professional exchange to Armenia on March 22-25. Among the exchange participants were Lia Giagauri, Director of the Public School #165; Zurab Tvauri, Chief of the District Inspectors Division in Tbilisi; Ramaz Gavarjaladze, Deputy Head of Adjara Police, and Nana Ioseliani, GLSP Coordinator. The purpose of the exchange was to observe Community Justice Centers and school based Youth Boards in Armenia, which are ZANG models that could be replicated in Georgia.

In the past months, in addition to the ongoing activities of the ZANG program’s Community Justice Centers (CJC), PH International’s (PHI) Armenia staff worked towards expanding its partnerships to establish new Community Justice Centers. One of such opportunities is through collaboration with the Armenian branch of World Vision International Charitable Organization (WVA). Through cooperative efforts PH International plans to set up 2 more CJCs, one in town of Talin, Aragatsotn region, and the other in Kapan, Syunik region. The new CJCs will be based on the Community Centers for Children years ago established by World Vision, and currently funded by the local municipalities. The Talin CJC will be the first one to open: after some pilot period, PHI and WVA will jointly commence the activities of setting-up the Community Justice Center under the auspices of the Kapan Community Center.

On March 13-14, GLSP organized a training workshop for the school-based Disciplinary Committees. The workshop was attended by representatives from six Disciplinary Committees from Tbilisi and Rustavi public schools. The US exchange participants designed a training module based on their observations in Vermont. Giorgi Gakheladze, GLSP Expert/ Civic Education Expert at the Ministry of Education and Sciences; Lia Giagauri, Director of the GLSP Public School #165 and Natalia Zazashvili, Psychologist/ Director of “Saphari” NGO served as trainers and facilitators of the workshop.

On January 2010, five new schools were selected for the implementation of the school-based Students’ Reparative Board (SRB) initiative. From Feb. 17- Mar. 11 60 SRB members, together with lead teachers nominated from secondary schools Vanadzor # 5, Alaverdi # 12, Gyumri # 7, Ijevan # 4, Tchambarak # 2 participated in preparatory trainings. During the three day sessions in each school, the students were introduced to their school bylaws, to principles of Restorative Justice, personal rights and responsibilities as well as conflict management. The principals of schools had open remarks during the sessions and expressed their interest in SRB activities and eagerness to cooperate with PH International.

With the help of a program funded by the U.S. State Department, young people have come together around a shared interest: using film and social media to create social change.

With the help of a program funded by the U.S. State Department, young people have come together around a shared interest: using film and social media to create social change.

DOTCOM student Jacob Rasch of Bethesda, Maryland (USA) was featured in the Bethesda Gazette for his outstanding community service. Read Peggy McEwan’s article about Rasch’s achievements

DOTCOM student Jacob Rasch of Bethesda, Maryland (USA) was featured in the Bethesda Gazette for his outstanding community service. Read Peggy McEwan’s article about Rasch’s acheivements.