2001-ongoing

The tobacco control is another key focus of the Center and a cornerstone of ICHD’s activities since 2001. Smoking rate is traditionally very high in Armenia. About one third of Armenian adults are regular smokers. About 3,000 deaths of smokers at the age of 35-69 years in Armenia are due to diseases caused by smoking. The smoking prevalence is rather high among the adolescents. The accession of Armenia to the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004, triggered elaboration and adoption of stricter legislation and policies on tobacco control.  However, the tobacco industry lobbying is very strong in Armenia. ICHD is a leading organization with its 12 projects in this area. The economic impact of stronger tobacco control policies were in particular focus of the Center. The ICHD was the key player in lobbying for Armenia’s accession to the FCTC and in recent increase of tobacco taxes. Two key ICHD associates represented the EURO region respectively in FCTC protocols on Illicit Tobacco Trade and in Tobacco Farming. ICHD has produced a number of publications and conducted the first ever comprehensive nationwide smoking prevalence survey in Armenia. The Center is a member to Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) and Coalition for Tobacco Free Armenia (CTFA). The ICHD operates a unique Tobacco Control web portal at http://nosmoking.ichd.org.

2000-2002

In the conflict-torn post soviet societies undergoing economic, political and social early transformations, both agrarian and political populism prevail and remain the major challenge for the development of civil society, political institutions and society’s ability to face real challenges openly. ICHD has considered that to challenge this reality and to create an environment enabling out-of-box thinking in society, unveil the official programs and expose the real interests beyond formal politics, alternative thinking should be cultivated through creating a dissonance between the core values of the society and the perception of the reality. ICHD focused on culture and art as leverage for creating such a controversy, disagreement about the interpretation and significance of the perceptions and stereotypes. The uniquely provocative style of art run counter to the stereotype perception of traditional values and juxtaposes such perception against core values through generating alternative thinking.

2001-ongoing

ICHD assists reforms in the security sector in Armenia and in the region through advocating for democratic governance in the security sector and promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the major systems of collective security including the NATO.