Democracy Union

We have been registered in 1993 as local Armenian NGO. " DU "’is union of public leaders, scholars, activists. The aim of "Democracy union " is to strengthen democratic processes in Armenia, establishment of civic society where diversity is recognized and respected and wider participation of citizens in the life of society is the necessary condition for development.. At present there are three main projects that are currently implemented by " Democracy Union ": " Training and resource center for political parties ", " Center for Gender Studies " and " Thinking peace and coexistence " project These projects have started from pilot projects and through the years have been developed into separate strong on going directions of work of " Democracy Union".
The methodologies that "DU" is using in implementing its projects are the following: collection of information, conducting of surveys, research, analysis, publication, dissemination of information and training.

These are just some of the projects that "DU" has been implementing in the last couple of years:
" Training and resource Center for political parties" started as small pilot project and developed into strong on going strong project. The project gets funding for the fourth cycle from Westminster foundation for Democracy "
1. Publication of book" Public political organizations of Armenia "
2. Book" republic of Armenia, regions, communities, settlements " to assist citizens, observers during elections
3. Training and resource center for political parties (project goes for four years already,
4. Small grants for publications, seminars researches, library for political parties.
5. These projects have been implemented thanks to grants that organization has received from USIS, Eurasia Foundation, UNDP

2 Center for Gender studies
ˆ Research on conditions of women in Armenia (participation in decision making positions, education, conditions in prisons) Grant from OXFAM
ˆ Publication of translations of UN conventions related to women, book of translations from famous feminist writers, book " Portraits of Armenian women"
ˆ Monthly newsletter for women USIS
ˆ Monthly Newsletter Mama Cash
ˆ Legal status of women – analysis of Armenian legislation East West Women’s Network
ˆ Survey " Impact of male migration on the status and life of refugee women" UNHCR ,
ˆ Trainings for women from border regions on conflict resolution IFOR

3." Thinking peace" project on training of women and young men from border regions on negotiation skills and conflict resolution. Establishment of focal peace groups in the regions that will assist in post war rehabilitation and start cross border collaboration ( DFID)

6. Training programs , analysis and publications on peace making, non violence.

7. Project " Transition to Democracy and Peace " series of publication s and translations on coexistence and peace.

8. Information campaigns and public awareness programs on root causes of conflict , TV programs
Currently we work on organizing meeting on the border between the families of Armenia and Azerbaijan and work on preparation on Summer School for youth on peace making and coexistence as well as on a project training of youth from national minority groups in Armenia