OSCE Office in Yerevan organizes training course aimed at integrating future police officers into society

YEREVAN, 11 May 2006 - A two-day training course entitled "Future Professionals for Consolidated Democracy" for entry-level students will start tomorrow in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia.

The class is aimed at increasing the degree of integration of future police officers into society. Half of the 40 students come from the Police Academy, while the other 20 represent Yerevan State University, the State Pedagogical University and the State Economic University. The course, which is organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan in close co-operation with the Police Academy, will foster debate on various current issues related to social development, democracy and rule of law. It will also help students build inter-personal and communications skills.

"This course is an effort to break the prevailing stereotype of police officers and to facilitate a dialogue on democratic processes in Armenia among future professionals," said Blanka Hancilova, Democratization Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

Hrachya Avetisyan, a first-year student at the Economic University said he hoped to exchange ideas with other professionals-to-be during the training.
"I want to live in a democratic country where mutual respect and co-operation prevail and where human rights are not violated," he said. "I believe that young people can make a change if we work together."

The OSCE Office plans to continue offering similar training courses to students.