A 3-day training of trainers (ToT) for the personnel of the V. Sargsyan Military University and the A. Khanperyants Military Aviation University of the Ministry of Defence of Armenia was organised by the Council of Europe on 22-24 March 2021. The ToT aimed at discussing practical aspects of incorporation of the human rights course into the curricula of the military universities, as well as to provide expertise on interactive teaching methods.
The event was officially opened by the Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan Mr Maxime Longangue and Deputy Minister of Defence of Armenia Mr Arman Sargsyan. Mr. Sargsyan expressed his gratitude to the Council of Europe for continuous cooperation. The Deputy Minister appreciated the organisation of the activity, being one of successful cooperation examples of the Ministry of Defence, which reflects the assessed needs of the Ministry.
Welcoming the participants, Mr Longangue stated that “in the context of the implementation of the National Human Rights Protection Strategy, the component on strengthening the military education in the light of the human rights approach forms an important part of the Project’s action”.
The ToT focused on addressing the challenges of the process of incorporation of the human rights course into the curricula of military universities. Ms Suzanne Soghomonyan, Chief Specialist of the Ministry of Defence Human Rights and Integrity Building Centre, affirmed the utmost importance of the current event. She underlined a necessity to have increased knowledge of human rights by teaching staff of the military universities, which in turn is an impetus for setting corresponding culture in the military, considering those rights as part of democratic processes in the armed forces.
The agenda of the training included consultations with the personnel of the military universities, as well as familiarisation of participants with different teaching techniques and methods targeted at better promotion of inclusive learning process in these institutions.
The ToT was organised under the Project “Human Rights and Women in the Armed Forces of Armenia – Phase II”. The Project is implemented by the Council of Europe within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2019-2022. Action Plan level funding is provided by Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Sweden.
Attached: the agenda of the training
