By Ani Chitemyan

The Armenian prime minister and other government officials viewed a World Vision documentary advocating for child rights during the international organisation's recent 20th anniversary celebrations.

Some 36 Armenian children were the voice of the country's children via the documentary 'Listen to Me', viewed at the celebration in the capital, Yerevan recently.

The documentary and seven Public Service Announcements are based on the interviews of Armenian children from the remote areas of the country and Yerevan.

The children talked about various topics such as faith, immigration, healthcare, child rights, family, water, bad roads, harsh winters. The Prime Minister was visibly moved during the documentary's airing.

The documentary and PSAs will be broadcast by national and local TV channels, as well as through satellite to Europe and USA. The aim is to increase public awareness of the children's concerns and to show the contrast between the capital and the regions.

World Vision International President Dean Hirsch, the Prime Minister of Armenia, the First Lady, government ministers, church leaders, representatives of the Armenian diaspora, international donor organisations, ambassadors, international and local NGOs, community members, journalists, and children attended the event.

The event was a great opportunity to highlight the past achievements and thank the partners for the past and the future cooperation. 'World Vision Armenia already has a strong foundation for advocacy at regional and national levels – this event provided further support and confidence of our partners that will enable even more effective advocacy into the future,' said Mark Kelly, World Vision Armenia National Director.

World Vision Armenia displayed a multi-media presentation about the areas of work during the past 20 years. Children also participated in essay writing and drawing competitions in the lead up to the celebration.

Today, World Vision Armenia works in 130 communities in six 'marzes' of the country and in Yerevan, supporting 22,000 children and their families.

In close collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Issues, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the National Committee for Child Protection, World Vision Armenia supports inclusive education and advocates for the rights of vulnerable children.

World Vision provides access to primary healthcare for 90,000 people in hard-to-reach communities of Armenia. Health facilities are being renovated and equipped.

World Vision Armenia partners with the Armenian Apostolic, Evangelical, and Catholic Churches to support Christian education through summer camps and Bible study classes for children with disabilities, orphans and other vulnerable children.

World Vision Armenia co-ordinates the five-year grant of $7.2 million provided by the Global Fund to care for people living with HIV and AIDS, and to prevent the spread of the virus in Armenia.