On 24 and 25 October 2019, Uni-ETC staff Gregor Fischer and Alma Stankovic, attended the last Consortium Coordination Meeting and the Final Conference of the ERASMUS + INCLUSION Project in Yerevan, Armenia.
The first day started with a welcome address by the Mkrtich Ayvazyan, the Vice-Rector for Education and Research at the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia (SAFAA), who warmly greeted all attendees. Project Coordinators Yelena Baytalyan and Ruzanna Minasyan then provided a tour of the SAFAA facilities, including an insight into the ceramic arts laboratories as well as art class rooms, where the meeting attendees could observe students as they worked on creating still life and portraiture paintings. The SAFAA team also provided the attendees an exclusive look into the institution’s Albert & Tove Boyajyan Art Gallery, which currently hosts works by the SAFAA Rector Prof. Aram Isabekyan.
A large part of the afternoon was then spent on discussing the finalization of the project and the mandatory reporting requirements. This session was held at on the campus of the American University of Armenia (AUA). The day was rounded out with a cultural event: The hosts organized a tour of the historic sights of Geghard, a 4th century monastery listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Garni Temple, the last remaining Greco-Roman temple in the country from the 2nd century.
The second day was entirely devoted to the Final Conference, hosted by AUA, in the grand Alex and Marie Manoogian Hall. After a Welcome Note by AUA Provost Randall Rhodes, Project Coordinator Ruzanna Minasyan provided an overview of the projects findings, successes, and achievements along with prospects for the future of inclusive learning in Armenia. The subsequent first panel, reviewing the concept of inclusion and why it is important, saw, among others, the contribution of Gregor Fischer, who linked inclusive practices to fundamental human rights. In his discussion, Mr. Fischer emphasized that inclusion facilitates the full development of human life and respects human dignity, as well as the underlying human rights. The two other panels for the day discussed practical aspects of teaching inclusion as well as further considerations for inclusion.
The day concluded with a formal Gala Dinner, where attendees were able to partake in the excellent Armenian cuisine while being able to further strengthen the established relationships and discuss new ideas for the future of inclusion.
All information on E+INCLUSION: http://inclusionerasmus.org/
