Montenegro

Visit of UNDP Montenegro to UNDP Armenia: Knowledge is power when shared

When on the world I ope’d my eyes I saw our mountains high,
Our rocks and cliffs; our mountains…
Mihran Damadian, Armenian poet

Armenia, 12 – 17 April 2011

Armenia is a landlocked mountainous country in the South Caucasus region, a former republic of the Soviet Union. Located more than 2,000 km away, in Southeastern Europe, Montenegro is also a mountainous country, a former republic of SFR Yugoslavia at the Adriatic Sea. Back in 1974, geographical remoteness was not an obstacle for these two countries to connect: Yerevan and Titograd (Podgorica’s communist-era name) were sister cities. People from the two countries became friends. Many children from Montenegro went to visit Armenia, especially after the devastating earthquake in Montenegro in 1979. And, even today three remarkable buildings in the new part of Podgorica are remembered as having been built by the “friends from Yerevan”.

In recent years, just like the rest of developing world, Montenegro and Armenia are facing the challenges of a new transitional age, many of which being the main topics of UNDP's work. Some challenges differ – while Montenegro has good relations with neighboring countries, Armenia has two closed borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan. In many other aspects, the challenges that both countries are dealing with are very similar: decentralization issues, lack of capacities at national and local level, fragmentation of the civil society sector and, subsequently, their weak ability to influence policy making in the country. Montenegro can learn from Armenia in a number of areas. For example, Armenia has made progress in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction. There may also be lessons to be learned about mobilization of support from the diaspora.

In order to exchange experiences, share best practices and identify potential points of collaboration, a small group from UNDP Montenegro travelled to Armenia to meet their counterparts. The trip turned out to be an outstanding mission, and guests were absolutely impressed by the UNDP Country Office Armenia – in terms of professionalism, high morale, hospitality and wonderful human spirit. 

“I was particularly struck by the similarities between our two countries in terms of the situation with regards to civil society and citizen’s participation. I found it extremely helpful to discuss and brainstorm not only with UNDP Armenia staff, but also with their civil society counterparts, on the best ways for UNDP to engage. We came away with practical inputs which we will put to use shortly, not least as we are planning a workshop on the roles taken by civil society organizations in advocacy, policy options development, and monitoring; furthermore, we have also been enriched with contacts and connections which we are sure to draw on in months to come,” said Ms. Sanja Bojanić, UNDP Montenegro Democratic Governance Cluster Leader.

Here is a brief snapshot of major outcomes that will be followed by concrete actions:

The experience of UNDP Armenia in nature protection and disaster risk reduction (DRR), public administration reform and work with the civil society is very relevant to the programme in Montenegro. Some of the experiences from Armenia, particularly in the area of DRR at community level/capacity development in the context of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, will save time and money in Montenegro during the formulation stage and will help in the dialogue with the national authorities. UNDP representatives agreed with the Deputy Minister for Nature Protection that Armenia will enroll two people from the ministry in the master’s program on protected area management and regional development- that will be established at the University of Donja Gorica in Montenegro. Additionally, UNDP Armenia provided support to the Government in conducting capacity assessment for the DRR system based on which a very systemic approach to strengthening this field was developed and is in the middle of implementation. This is relevant for Montenegro because it has just begun the process of consultations for establishment of the national platform for DRR; it recognizes and is committed to integrate DRR principles in major national and local level strategic plans.

Further, the project site visit and conversation with the authorities and the villagers in the Ararat Marz was a clear demonstration of effectiveness of Armenia’s DRR project.

Initiatives within the Democratic Governance area also proved to be of mutual interest. The initiatives on decentralization, public administration reform and partnership with civil society in Armenia are of practical use for UNDP Montenegro. The Montenegro Capacity Development Programme, and the Armenia European Advisory Group both work on the issue of providing policy advice support to the respective governments, and strengthening their capacity through tailored capacity development efforts. In all these areas, the two countries share many characteristics, and will be able to continue to engage in a very useful dialogue.

Fourth, the delegation from Montenegro has been impressed by UNDP’s strong leadership role in donor coordination in Armenia.

„The real value of a mission like this is, however, greater than the immediate information shared, even though this is very valuable. It lies in the connections made, in staff reaching out to staff in other country offices for support and ideas – and hence it helps us to make use of UNDP’s greatest asset – that of being a global knowledge network. This mission again confirmed that knowledge is power when shared and used – and we will try to make it work,” said Mr. Alexander Avanessov, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro.

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The new partnership is already bearing fruit. Since June this year, Armenia and Montenegro have committed themselves to cooperate in the sphere of emergency situations, by sealing off a Memorandum of Understanding on disaster management and response. The document commits both parties to strengthen cooperation in various fields, particularly in exchange of specialists, knowledge, information and innovations, as well as improvement of partnership in disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness.

The Memorandum of Understanding between two countries was signed by Armen Yeritsyan, Minister of Emergency Situations of Armenia and Zoran Begovic, Deputy Minister of Interior and Head of Civil Defense and Emergency Management Department of Montenegro. During the signing ceremony Minister Yeritsyan thanked the UNDP Offices in Armenia and Montenegro and acknowledged their efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

PanArmenian photostream http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/photoset/all/300/

More about this cooperation at the UNDP Armenia website http://www.undp.am/?page=LatestNews&id=689