Dear Editor:
Areg Gharabegian in his article “Non-Governmental Organizations in Armenia” (The Armenian Weekly, Jan. 18, 2014) made an effort to explain the situation of NGOs, their activities and problems, in Armenia. Having worked in this sector since 1991, I would like to explore certain points he made, as he painted a rather critical picture of the civil society organizations in Armenia.
I would like to start by noting that in the Soviet era, any form of a non-governmental organization was not allowed. It is true that the earthquake of 1988 opened the door for the first time in the Soviet Union to donations as well as to organizations and specialists to come and work in the devastated area, and subsequently throughout Armenia.
It was not clear if Mr. Gharabegian’s comments were addressed to local NGOs or diaspora- based ones. There are quite important differences between the two: The local NGOs have less resources and are, by and large, unknown to the Armenian Diaspora, which is a large donor for projects. Diaspora-based NGOs working in Armenia are more resourceful, have staff who speak English, and have a tremendous edge in fundraising and PR techniques, as well as grant writing. I should add another category that has brought significant assistance to Armenia: organizations like the ARS, AGBU, the Armenian International Medical Association, and those made up of various professionals groups like engineers and physicists.
The author found that NGOs were incapable of meeting the “growing demand for emergency services and operations…due to a lack of NGO skills, knowledge, and capabilities, and the absence of an appropriate legal framework.” I tend to disagree with this statement; it is overly simplistic to put the blame on NGOs alone. We must remember that newly independent Armenia was also inexperienced and lacked the infrastructure, laws, and experience to deal with aid assistance and logistics. Sadly, the government even today does not have an emergency fund or the capability to deal with disasters. And, have we forgotten the lack of control and oversight, the total anarchy that took place at the airport, customs, and ports, where goods were diverted directly from these locations into the hands of thieves? I know of doctors who came to teach new methods in surgery or provide valuable equipment to local doctors, who were unwilling to cooperate or were only focused on going to the U.S., never to return.
It is true that many NGOs mushroomed in the late 1990’s; this phenomenon was seen in all of the post-Soviet states. I believe this is a normal process of experimenting with something new, especially where laws are weak or inexistent. However, now, we have a good core of local NGOs that are actually very efficient and doing good work. The mission of these NGOs center around human rights, women’s rights, the rights of the disabled (both physical and mental), youth, the environment, peace dialogue, anti corruption, minorities (religious and LGBT), education, health, culture.
Since 1991, as Mr. Gharabegian pointed out, various rules and laws have been established primarily to regulate the sector. However, I disagree with the author when he writes, “The law states that Armenia recognizes the crucial role of NGOs in the development of civil society and aims to promote the establishment of NGOs as legal entities.” In practice, civil society organizations in Armenia are a thorn in the government’s side because they point out all of the irregularities, corruption, discrimination, the government’s lack of assistance or political will for change on various issues, and the overall lack of human rights and democratic principles in the country. NGOs, depending on their area of interest, are closely scrutinized by the government and are many times attacked for being “grant-eaters,” even though Armenia’s budget exists on grants from the IMF and World Bank (this arose as an opportunistic reaction to the landscape of the 1990’s, when jobs were scarce and people basically tailored projects/approaches any which way in order to secure funding). This argument is used to demean the active NGOs, rather than address the issues they raise.
Lately, the Armenian government has begun to “promote” local NGOs by opening their own non-governmental organizations, which in Armenia (and elsewhere) we call GONGO (government organization NGO)—a paradox. Their existence, seen throughout the former Soviet states, is to funnel World Bank, EU, and UN money to their own organizations, which in reality are part of the government. This is also done as a method of control: By putting their own NGOs into the mix, they can influence/infiltrate discussions and claim that other so-called civil society organizations are of a different opinion (which, in reality, is the position of the government).
The international organizations know about this, but as this is a new phenomenon, they have not taken any significant steps. Mr. Gharabegian mentioned that the World Bank gives out grants to NGOs –actually the latter mentioned international organizations work, mainly, with the government directly and the bulk of the donations goes to the government.
I would like to say a word about volunteers. In post-Soviet states this was a foreign concept, although I can say that in the past four to five years, we have seen young people wanting to volunteer. Many, however, look for paying jobs, given the low income levels of their families. However, great work has been done by U.S.-based organizations like Armenian Volunteer Corps and Birthright Armenia, which bring volunteers from the diaspora—and with them, a huge skill set—which in turn helps the local NGOs.
Regarding transparency, I agree that only some organizations are trying to be transparent; however, the ones that receive the biggest donations in Armenia, like the Holly Church of Etchmiadzin, are not even accountable for these funds. Even the All-Armenian Fund is not that transparent.
Finally, I would like to point out that the local and international-based NGO sector in Armenia has come a long way since 1991. Much training, experience, and practice has raised the level of efficiency. Of course, there is competition (as there is throughout the world) when funding is so scarce, but this can be a good thing. NGOs have moved from providing emergency humanitarian aid to development, and now to building civil society and promoting human rights. Overall, civil society over the past eight years has contributed greatly in raising public awareness on various issues, and in bringing attention to what the government either hides, considers taboo, or is in denial about. It is because of these civil society organizations and local NGOs that today we have increased awareness and civic activism engaged in the promotion of the rule of law and human rights, and able to offer services where the government is otherwise absent.
Mr. Gharabegian, I am not sure how you measure “support and citizen participation in NGO activities,” but suffice it to say that NGOs have moved public opinion greatly. And when at street protests we used to see three to five lone individuals, now we see hundreds. And when in the past no one paid attention to domestic violence, now we get over 56,000 hits for an internet article. NGOs have passed amendments to existing laws; in our case, we are working to pass a domestic violence law, and others have developed policies and mechanisms to achieve systemic change in Armenia.
Lastly, I would like to point out that NGOs have developed, even flourished, at a time when international assistance to Armenia has steadily gone down. We now see truly motivated NGOs and even social movements that want to bring change to Armenia and voice the concerns of society at large. I would urge Mr. Gharabegian to take a closer look at the impact and value of NGOs in Armenia.
Sincerely,
Maro Matosian
Founder and executive director, Women’s Support Center NGO, Armenia
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Your article was essential and proper Ms. Matosian
A valuable contribution for navigating social and political change in Armenia!
Behind the seemingly “humanitarian” agendas of Armenia’s Western-funded lurks a very dangerous Western imperial agenda. Sadly, a vast majority of the sheeple are totally oblivious to this. As we have seen in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Serbia and Ukraine, Western funded NGOs and their members remain the single most dangerous element inside Armenia today. They are like cancerous tumors that if left unchecked will prove deadly for the young and embattled republic. Armenia’s Russian backed security services need to monitor every single NGO or individual that receives funding from any Western nation.
Harutik you’re absolutely right the NGO are the biggest threat to Armenia. Also USArmenia TV here is branwashing the Armenians in promoting, gambling, gang justice, immorality et.c. As far as I know some TV stations in Armenia are doing the same there, indoctrinating the people into values that are destroying society.
Thank you Maro for a very profound analysis.
It is people like you who can resurrect our country from the soviet corruption that is still rampant.
All the best
Don’t worry Harutik, Armenia’s NSS has a file on every single one of these NGOs AND their staff members. Remember what happened to Vartan Oskanian. The nonsense known as complimentary politics has come to an end as of September 3, 2013. When any one of these Western led tools/fools get out of hand they will be dealt a swift blow.
Thanks, Harutik, for your essential comment. Neither the rebuttal nor the original article address how NGOs *can* bring unwanted and/ or destructive foreign agendas and influences into Armenia.
What countries and organizations fund, as one example, Civilitas, and what is their goal in doing so?
Another question: If an NGO gets money from a particular source, and that source has a foreign policy agenda, what happens when the NGO does not adhere to that foreign policy agenda? Does the money stop coming?
While we are at this I would also ask the following questions:
What NGOs are directly or indirectly funded by the BIG OIL and GAS industry? What NGOs are funded by religious sects?
I could also ask who funds all that journalists training in London to teach our youth how to become posh like fine English dandies who are miraculously able to find good lasagna and wine in England (sic!) and throw all the mad at Armenia. But that would probably get my comment censored out like most of my comments before…
From public databases I reviewed, Georgia has about 300 active NGOs. (active, not registered)
Azerbaijan has about 350 active NGOs.
The exact number of NGOs in RoA is a little hard to pin down.
In article by Serouj Aprahamian @AW [Taking to the Streets: Community Fundraising in Armenia], he writes this:
{“YEREVAN (A.W.)–More than 4,000 NGO’s are reportedly registered in Armenia.”}
I have seen references from other sources that mention 2,500 or 3,000 and again 4,000.
One of the public databases I reviewed lists about 950 active NGOs in RoA.
Of the 4,400 registered at RoA Gov, many, if not most, are probably inactive. (4,400 figure comes from a USAID document)
But even then, that number is way out of proportion: “something is rotten in the state of Denmark”.
Nevertheless, I will use the figure 950 to show that even with that number, the NGO farce in RoA is beyond belief.
Can anyone explain to me why Armenia needs 950 active NGOs ?
What are they doing there ?
Even on an absolute basis this is about 3X the number of Georgia or Azerbaijan.
On per capita basis it is even more absurd.
Armenia population: 3 million.
Georgia: 4.9 million.
Azerbaijan: 9+ million (claimed, not real: but that’s a subject for another thread).
Per capita RoA has about 5X more active NGOs than Georgia, and 8X more than Azerbaijan.
Now, why would there be that many NGOs in Armenia compared to Georgia and Azerbaijan ?
Isn’t it obvious most are either useless (….other than to themselves: Գրանտակերներ. Nice job if you can get it), or are in RoA to cause harm to Armenia – on purpose or without even being aware of it ?
There are certainly several NGOs, such as the Armenian Tree Project, that do great work and bring immense benefits to the Armenian people and Armenia itself. But 950 in tiny Armenia ? What for.
Let’s ask Ms. Matosian directly: what has your NGO done for Armenia ?
Has your NGO done anything to enhance the safety, security, and survivability of Armenia, like ATP for example ?
Have members of your NGO _ever_ visited the LOC in RoA or NKR to bring hot meals to the young Armenian men serving in freezing winter, who are guaranteeing the safety & security of NGOs such as yours, for example.
You know, to show them appreciation for putting their lives on the line – literally – so that NGOs such as yours can multiply by the 100s in RoA in peace & tranquility ?.
Too dangerous at the LOC ? OK: how many families of the young men KIA at the LOC has your organization visited in Yerevan or other cities to offer support and comfort to the parents ?
Any visits to Yerablur to lay fresh flowers on those interred ?
btw: {“ By putting their own NGOs into the mix, they can influence/infiltrate discussions and claim that other so-called civil society organizations are of a different opinion (which, in reality, is the position of the government).”}(…as claimed by Ms. Matosian).
I don’t know if this is true or not, but if it is true, 5-stars to the Government of Armenia and RoA NSS: Love you guys to no end.
RoA Gov is learning from the Western (neocon) vipers: let the foreign financed Anti-RoA NGOs operate in the open, but…..infiltrate and disrupt their Anti-RoA, Anti-Armenian activities from inside.
Elegant and Beautiful.
How many of these NGOs are created by the same people, their relatives and associates? Talking about nepotism and corruption so prevalent in that sector…
Avery,
I take it many of these RA NGOs are inactive.They just followed suit,one after another when these were beginning to pop up like mushrooms and then they were rendered idle-inactive.
I know of a couple that hardly do anything at all.
BTW,some also register so, in order NOT TO BE SUBJECT TO PAY TAXES!!!
This branch ,most probably THE most common there….
I am always suspicious about foreigners and their organizations wanting to get involved in Armenian affairs and who supposedly “want the good for Armenia”. That is downright laughable, considering 100 years of Genocide denial through lack of action on the part of the world community. If they want the “good” for Armenia, they know exactly what to do.
I have a sneaking suspicion that they have all flocked to Armenia in order to keep an eye on Russia. Perhaps Syria can serve as an example for us to learn from. When the worldwide neocon/neolib cult succeeds in toppling Syria, it will be viewed as a “victory against Iran”. My guess is this same principle applies to Armenia/Russia.
If given the chance would they sacrifice Armenia in order to wound Russia? Given their Satanic intent, I’m afraid so. The most devastating blow we can give our enemies is showing our strength through our unity. The biggest fear they have is when the worldwide diaspora community becomes fully aligned with their mother country and becomes one force. But it is up to us to make that happen. Division = failure. Unity = success.
While I can understand some of the criticism pointed at NGOs, I must ask Harutik and Avery to please explain the following:
1. HARUTIK – The Armenian Government is by far the LARGEST recipient of foreign aid, what would you recommend that Armenia’s Russian backed security services do? Given your logic, they should start by monitoring what the Armenian Government is doing with all the aid it has received. The country should be THRIVING now, given all the aid the Armenian Government has received from foreign donors and diaspora donors. But it isn’t. Care to explain why that is so? It is too easy to blame NGOs or others, but if you look carefully, the problem lies within the government.
2. AVERY, you ask, what have NGOs done for Armenia? If you were a little better informed, you would know that they have done many things including providing essential support services to disabled children, they have provided educational and job training services to victims of domestic violence, they have provided health and home care support to lonely elders, and many other worthwhile services which the government is not providing.
No NGOs are not perfect, but then who is? Is the Armenian Government perfect? Is the NSS perfect (which you claim to love…)? What about the oligarchs? What have they done to help the men killed in action or have they brought hot meals to the young mean serving on the front… Do some research and spend some time actually talking to NGOs and spare us your incompetent, uninformed and bombastic drivel.
Thank you all for the interesting and diverse opinions you presented. While I do agree that the West has interests and ulterior motives in Armenia, I hardly believe that those are fulfilled though the NGOs but for sure they are present in the the mission of World Bank and IMF as they have done to other countries as well. These large finance organizations work directly with the government and not with NGOs. Russia now appears to manipulate civil society and they have created groups who infiltrate public discourse to influence public opinion to their own benefit. The latest example was during the months prior to Armenia joining the Customs Union.
Secondly, I would like to thank Anna for her response and address Avery more directly. Civil society is not built only around the army and social problems are numerous in any given society. Some countries recognize those problems and do something about it others are in denial or incapable to address those problems. I am sure as a hayaser individual you value a society that is not exploited, its resources taken out to off-shore companies to profit the few, Armenia’s soil and water polluted to the extend that is becoming a health hazard, you also value the Armenian family and you would not want 12% of it’s women be severely abused by partners and their children traumatized, you may also be interested to make sure that children abandoned by fathers seeking work in Russia are not becoming delinquents and get an education and jobs, or that disabled and elders are offered dignified means for living and education. I am listing just some of the areas NGOs work with: protection of the environment and rights of citizens.
When any society is corrupt, and the country is not governed by the rule of law and thus the citizen feels unprotected, abused, discriminated and overall at a loss, then revolts do occur and they are not the making of any Western power. When Rosa Parks decided not to go to the back of the bus no one anticipated that that would start the civil rights movement in US. When the Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire because he could not take anymore the humiliating abuse of the authorities, no one new that that will start the Arab revolts. For that matter US has been always taken by surprise of these developments as with the fall of the Berlin wall. So, if Armenia would be a country without corruption, abuse of power, oligarchy, and with an independent and uncorrupted legislative body then maybe we should not be so afraid of the Western interference.
One last note: NGOs are not obliged to terminate or cancel their registration. So many who are not functioning anymore also appear on the list of existing NGOs and thus create confusion in the statistics.
A lot of feel good fluff by Matosian. It’s like she has generic template she is using to make Armenia into a “Democratic” wonderland where the “rule of law” is respected. There is a serious lack of understanding here about international relations, history and how societies develop. More importantly, there is a serious misunderstanding of Armenian traits. Sadly, its well meaning people like Matosian that get exploited by imperial interests.
Gurgen
Having read through the comments I must admit that I am perplexed by both Harutik’s and Aram’s assertions. I spent two years in Armenia working with a Diasporan NGO on environmental issues such as solid waste management, so I have some knowledge where NGOs are concerned.
Harutik asserted that, “Western funded NGOs and their members remain the single most dangerous element inside Armenia today. They are like cancerous tumors that if left unchecked will prove deadly for the young and embattled republic”.
Aram replied with the comment that, “Harutik you’re absolutely right the NGO are the biggest threat to Armenia. Also USArmenia TV here is branwashing the Armenians in promoting, gambling, gang justice, immorality etc. As far as I know some TV stations in Armenia are doing the same there, indoctrinating the people into values that are destroying society.”
Without some sort of detail both these comments are hyperbolic, to the extreme. How about some explanation as to what, specifically is “dangerous” about these NGOs. Why are they “cancerous”? Just give a short list. And, do you mean “all” NGOs, regardless of size or focus? It seems you are making the case that GONGOs are to be trusted to move Armenia “forward”?
And Aram’s comments are also vague. What values are actually being destroyed by NGOs? Exactly what are these unique Armenian values to which you allude? Also, to which immoralities are you referring? Just name a few for discussion sake. For example, do you believe that bringing efficient solid waste management practices to rural villages is immoral, or destroys Armenian values? Such vague assertions make it impossible to address any of your concerns with any type of depth.
No one I know working in Armenia is naive enough to believe that the large Western sponsored donor organizations don’t have an agenda that suits the West. But to make a blanket assertion that the West has nothing of value to offer Armenia would be naïve. And to ascribe the same motives to organizations like ATP, WRC, WSC, FPWC, AEN, and many others smacks of the worst and most simplistic form of conspiracy theory think. The easiest way to find out what is being done by these NGOs is to arrange visits to their offices and ongoing projects and doing some very basic research. I’m sure Maro would be more than happy to enlighten you further on her organization.
If, on the other hand, you fear the acquisition of knowledge and critical thinking skills, by Armenians, then perhaps your fears are justified. If you feel that a populace, fully capable of independent thought and decision making abilities is a dangerous notion then I would agree with you that supporting GONGOs is your best option as independent thinking, to them, is anathema.
It would behoove the naysayers like Avery, Harutik and others to actually visit Armenia and get first hand info before making such worthless blanket condemnations of the entire NGO sector in Armenia. Sure their are problems, but if our compatriots in the diaspora really want to participate in moving Armenia forward they should, at minimum, get their facts straight. This would necessitate a visit to Armenia. But perhaps they prefer to pontificate from afar. They should spend the time to go and see who is actually doing what. Then, if they are so moved, they can make rational choices regarding what NGOs are worthy of support. They can even create one, if it doesn’t already exist, to take hot meals to our boys on the LCO. As if this isn’t the obligation of the government.
Tlkatintsi, you may be making a blanket assumption that anyone who dissents has obviously never been to Armenia.
It would behoove Anti-RoA doom & gloom prognosticators, nattering nabobs of negativism, and naysayers like Tlkatintsi to actually know facts firsthand before making worthless blanket assertions about me, for example.
How do you know I have not visited Armenia ?
How do you know I don’t visit every year ?
You say you live in Armenia: how long have you lived there ?
Were you born in Armenia ? Did you grow up in Armenia ?
How do we know you are telling the truth: you post under a pseudonym; you could claim anything.
Assuming I have never been to Armenia, do you actually have the hubris to believe that you are the only one who has an ‘accurate’ (meaning negative) picture of what goes on in RoA just because you live there at the moment ?
What makes you think the way you see things is the way everybody else does ?
To wit: there is an AW poster that lives in Armenia.
I know he does, because there are several Youtube videos that prove he lives in Armenia.
His name is Antoine S. Terjanian.
He posts occasionally @AW. And since he does not have the doom & gloom bias that you possess in abundance, his _facts_ are diametrically opposite of your uniformly negative worldview of Armenia and Armenians (yeah, I have read most of your posts @AW over the years).
And I am pretty sure Mr. Terjanian got his facts straight.
How do you explain that, Tlkatintsi, living in Armenia ?
And show me where in my post I made “…blanket condemnations of the entire NGO sector in Armenia.”
Go back and re-read my post, if you please: then show me which sentence of mine you consider ‘….blanket condemnation of the entire NGO sector….’
As to the hot meals: obviously you deliberately pretend you did not comprehend what I meant.
RoA Gov obviously feeds, clothes and equips the men and women in uniform.
So does the US Gov.
Yet it is a long tradition in US for various non-governmental entities, famous people, actors and actresses to go to parts of the world where American troops are engaged in combat (e.g. Afghanistan) to entertain, to mix and socialize, sometimes serve them hot meals for special occasions such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.
To show appreciation for their service and sacrifice to the Nation.
Overseas.
I specifically posed a question to the author of this article Ms. Maro Matosian, the founder and executive director of a particular NGO, inquiring what has her NGO done to show appreciation for the service and sacrifice of Armenian men and women in uniform.
Any visits to the LOC ? Any hot meals served to the troops ? Any fresh flowers on the graves of those interred at Yerablur ?
Her non-answer and the non-answers of her supporters, such as you Tlkatintsi, proved my point.
Anna:
Since I am barely a gentleman and hardly a scholar, and also incompetent and uninformed to boot, I will pretend you did not deliberately manufacture something I did not write in order to deliberately misrepresent what I actually wrote, and simply made a mistake: you made a mistake, Yes ?
Show me where I wrote “2. AVERY, you ask, what have NGOs done for Armenia?”. (…as in plural, ‘all’ NGOs).
Here is what I actually wrote:
{“ There are certainly several NGOs, such as the Armenian Tree Project, that do great work and bring immense benefits to the Armenian people and Armenia itself. But 950 in tiny Armenia ? What for.
Let’s ask Ms. Matosian directly: what has your NGO done for Armenia ?”} (Avery // February 9, 2014 at 8:00 pm //)
As in ‘your’, singular.
It is interesting that none of you posters who objected to my post (Avery // February 9, 2014 at 8:00 pm //) are able to refute the facts I posted, and in desperation are resorting to illogical non sequiturs.
Again: why does Armenia have that many NGOs in comparison to its two Caucasus neighbors ?
For what purpose ?
Regarding those evil oligarchs:
They should definitely do much more for the men and women in uniform.
And there should definitely be less monopoly in RoA’s economy: it will come. Give it time.
US was far more monopolistic when it was developing. (look up JP Morgan, ‘Robber barons’).
And Armenian oligarchs have done their share for the country and the economy as a whole.
Which NGO organized and paid for the mass wedding in Artsakh a couple of years go ? Guess by how much the birth rate went up in Artsakh after that ?
Which NGO built the beautiful new Zvartnots International Airport that adds immense value to RoA ?
If he was an RoA citizen and resident, honorable Mr. Eduardo Eurnekian would be derisively labeled an (evil) ‘oligarch’.
But in US (and I presume in Argentina) we call them Investors. Creators. Builders.
Which NGO renovated the Yerevan Փակ Շուկա. ?
How many new jobs were created after the renovation ?
How many real jobs has Ms. Matosian’s NGO created ?
How do you develop commerce and create economic activity: by organizing a ‘a-protest-a-day’ ™ by the same 20-50 people ?
And no, neither the RoA Gov, nor the NSS, nor other RoA Gov agencies are perfect. Only God is perfect.
But they have done an outstanding job with their very limited resources in keeping the country safe from invasion and destruction.
That is their #1 responsibility, and they have done a Gold-medal job of it.
Because the RoA Gov has done such an outstanding job keeping the country safe, many people are taking it for granted.
Some people have already forgotten that barely 20 years ago Turks (Turkbaijanis) were again massacring defenseless Armenian civilians, and invaded Armenian lands with the intention of exterminating 150,000 Armenians of Artsakh and wiping out NKR and RoA.
Fluffy bromides such as this from Ms. Matosian – [“Civil society is not built only around the army and social problems are numerous in any given society.”] – sound great, but are meaningless drivel in the world we live in. Particularly the cutthroat micro-world of Caucasus region RoA lives in.
Au contraire, mon amie: civil society can only be built when the military keeps the country safe from invasion and destruction.
If Ms. Matosian’s NGO disappeared tomorrow, RoA would still go on: Armenian people would continue living in RoA.
Both RoA and NKR would continue existing.
If the Armenian Military, the NSS, and other security structures disappeared tomorrow, there would be no RoA and no Armenians left in RoA or NKR.
If anyone doubts that, go and talk to survivors of Sugmait, Kirovabad, and Baku.
Go talk to Artsakhtsi: ask them which is essential, no, _vital_ to their survival; Ms. Matosian’s NGO or NKR’s tough-as-nails military.
Our 1st Republic was not vanquished because there were an insufficient number of NGOs or an undeveloped civil society in it.