OREANDA-NEWS. On 30 January 2008 UC RUSAL, the world’s largest aluminium and alumina producer, announced the winners of the ‘10 Best School Projects’ competition implemented in Armenia in partnership with UNDP Global Compact. For the first time in Armenia, schoolchildren from twelve educational institutions will receive grants of 1 million drams each to implement socially beneficial projects.

40 proposals from 32 educational institutions in Yerevan were submitted to the evaluation committees for consideration. At the first stage, the applications were evaluated by the Children’s Committee formed by the children of UC RUSAL ARMENAL and UNDP employees.  At the second stage, the proposals were considered by an Expert Committee consisting of representatives of UC RUSAL, UNDP, UNICEF, the Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia, the State University of Yerevan and local NGOs. As a result, the ten best were selected for funding. Two special projects were also awarded with grants.

Welcoming UC RUSAL’s and UNDP’s joint initiative, Mr. Levon Mkrtchyan, the Minister of Education and Science of Armenia, emphasized the importance of the corporate world’s contribution to the education sector; “UC RUSAL’s involvement serves as a bright example of corporate social responsibility for other businesses in Armenia”.

Mr. Georgy Avetikyan, Director, UC RUSAL ARMENAL said; “This project is an important first step reflecting UC RUSAL’s long term social commitment in Armenia, which the company will implement in cooperation with UNDP. This is a very good project to teach youngsters the basics of corporate citizenship and will enable them to implement projects useful for their local community”.

The UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Consuelo Vidal told the audience that; “It is very important to cultivate a culture of social responsibility among children and youth of school ages. It will help them to become more responsible citizens later in life. The ‘10 Best School Projects’ also stimulates creativity and self-confidence, as well as helping adults to better understand the importance of children’s participation and contribution to the solution of issues related to their own educational environment or neighborhood.”