To respond more effectively to social issues in Yerevan, the Department of Children and Social Protection of the Yerevan Municipality has recently held discussions with its US counterparts. To move the talks into a more practical field, within the framework of the invitation, the Acting Head of the Department, Gevorg Gharibyan, paid a working visit to Cambridge and New York.
During the business trip, employment programs aimed at migrants and socially vulnerable people were observed. During the studies conducted at the specialized center, the possibility of establishing similar centers and programs in Yerevan was discussed. The Cambridge library system's experience was studied, and the introduction of its capabilities in Yerevan was discussed.
In particular, the introduction of social worker positions in libraries to provide social services to people experiencing homelessness was considered, with these positions responsible for identifying problems and making appropriate referrals. An agreement was reached that, if such a library were to open in Yerevan, it would provide its academic and artistic databases.
During the visit, the social housing model was studied, an operating center was visited, and potential proposals for Yerevan to address homelessness were discussed. The model of the councils operating there and the feasibility of its application in the Yerevan Municipality were studied, in particular, the formation of a council responsible for human rights issues under the mayor. The features of services provided to older people were considered, including food and entertainment.
The practice of responding to cases of gender-based and other violence against women was discussed, and the experience and the possibility of its application in the Republic of Armenia were studied. Several issues related to children's rights and migrants' rights were also discussed, along with community needs and actions to address them. Within the framework of establishing active cooperation between cities, the exchange of experience was critical after the ANCO was established, particularly in providing social services in Yerevan.
Given ongoing cooperation between the sister cities of Yerevan and Cambridge, a preliminary agreement was reached to ensure that children from Yerevan facing challenging life circumstances will also participate in the Cambridge Stem Fest in 2026. After the lecture at Fordham University, Gevorg Gharibyan met with Dinesh Sharma, director of the New York Stem Works studio, and reached an agreement to include a group of children from Yerevan in the New York stem workshop.
The discussions, observations, and experience study conducted during the business trip provide an essential basis for implementing future social programs. The partner side expressed its willingness to participate in implementing new programs in Yerevan. For his work and activities in the social sphere, the Cambridge Municipality staff awarded the Acting Head of the Department, Gevorg Gharibyan, with the Key to the City of Cambridge and a Social Leadership Coin.
