OSCE Office organizes anti-corruption training for high school students in Armenia's Syunik region

GORIS, Armenia, 22 August 2009 - Some 280 students from 21 high schools in Armenia's Syunik region took part in anti-corruption courses during an OSCE-supported summer camp that concluded today in Goris.

The two-week camp was organized in Goris and Kapan by the non-governmental organization "The Future is Yours", with support from the OSCE's Project Implementation Presence in Syunik and the local authorities. Students from 14 to 16 years of age participating in the camp learned about the essence of corruption, its negative impact and how they can fight it.

"Such courses help the young generation reject corruption," said the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Sergey Kapinos. "We believe that encouraging young people from the regions to be active and critical citizens is a good way to tackle corruption in the future."

Narine Sargsyan, president of the "The Future is Yours", added: "By increasing awareness among high school students about the various forms of corruption, their causes and negative effects on their lives, the course is aimed at helping recognize and prevent corruption at an early stage. At the same time, we make sure the participants also have a good time."

The OSCE Office in Yerevan promotes anti-corruption education in Armenian high schools as part of its efforts to combat corruption.