In cooperation with the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Artsakh in the Republic of Armenia, and with the support of the European Union, the Armenian Association of Social Workers organized an introductory course for social work paraprofessionals in connection to the April-June 2022 REACT program. The course included Artsakh citizens who had been forcibly displaced from Artsakh as a result of the 44-day war. Participants had previously been involved in education, healthcare, or social security fields. The program aimed to train paraprofessionals who were themselves Artsakh citizens, as they would be most effective when evaluating and responding to the needs and problems of the community.

Prior to receiving their certificates, the course participants were involved in a three-month intensive training, took part in a three-month internship, and passed a qualification exam. For these course participants, the program represented a transition from beneficiary–a recipient of support–to a provider of support. The ceremony marked both a professional achievement, as well as the acquisition of thinking, knowledge, and skills typical of their “new profession”.

At the certificate ceremony, the president of the Armenian Association of Social Workers, Mira Antonyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh, Sergey Ghazryan, the participants of the course, the implementing partners of the REACT project “Man in Need”,  as well as representative from the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) were present.

In her address to the participants of the event, Mira Antonyan said: “Those gathered here are people who, despite a series of crises, have found the strength not only to overcome their own difficulties, but also to support other people, to help them bring out, activate and appreciate their own potential, which is an invaluable and very important mission.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh, Sergey Ghazaryan, said in his welcoming speech: "I hope that the acquired knowledge and skills will really serve to increase the efficiency of the work with displaced persons from Artsakh. You have chosen a difficult path, during which I wish you all endurance."

During the ceremony, the course participants also had the opportunity to share their impressions. Evgenya Ter-Bareghamyants, a participant of the course, mentioned in her speech: "Before participating in these three-month courses, it seemed that I had chosen my profession, but in fact, this program gave me the opportunity for a new professional orientation, the professors gave me such knowledge, abilities and skills that I have now found my place in the field. What I was able to get during the course gives me the opportunity to support others today."

The training was carried out with the support of the European Union by the "Man in Need" NGO REACT. The project "Humanitarian support and integration of people affected by the conflict" was implemented in cooperation with the Technical Cooperation and Development Agency, "Association of Social Workers of Armenia" and "Mission Armenia" NGOs.