Conversations on Access and Inclusion in Education
On 24 October, the Human Rights and Social Justice (HRSJ) graduate programme of the American University of Armenia (AUA) held another discussion event on access and inclusion in education.
This was a part of the series of open conversations on this vital topic facilitated by Dr. Philippa Mullins, Assistant Professor in the Human Rights and Social Justice (HRSJ) Master’s program. The first discussion on inclusive education was held on 29 June, 2022. The conversation was organised around a research presentation by the Director of the Emili Aregak Centre in Gyumri, Ms Tigranuhi Hagopian, and a research exhibition based on quotations and drawings from children with disabilities and their parents who attend the Emili Aregak Centre. The latter was based on work by Ms Mara Harutyunyan and Dr Philippa Mullins.
On 24 October, the series continued with two presentations on building disability access at primary and secondary schools in Armenia. This time, we welcomed the distinguished speakers Ms. Syuzanna Petrosyan and Dr Meline Grigoryan.
Syuzanna Petrosyan has over 14 years of experience working with children with disabilities and their families. Before establishing the NGO Inclusion Armenia, she organised successful advocacy campaigns on equal rights to education and community participation. Among other research and advocacy projects, Petrosyan developed the Inclusive Education in Practice Educational-Methodical Manual, which has been approved by the RA Ministry of Education and is widely used across Armenia.
Meline Grigoryan is a researcher, teacher, and trainer with a PhD in inclusive education from Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University and over 15 years of experience. She is the Manager of Education Programs at COAF, a non-profit organization seeking to advance rural communities by improving education, healthcare, economic development, and village life. Grigoryan is also the Armenian country lead for HundrEd, an NGO which shares inspiring innovations in K12 education.
At the event, Syuzanna Petrosyan talked about founding the NGO Inclusion Armenia and its campaigns advocating for the rights of children with disabilities and their family members. Meline Grigoryan discussed the management and improvement of inclusive education in Armenia, drawing on research carried out at 57 primary and secondary schools in Armenia. The presentations were followed by a Q&A and an open discussion, during which participants also shared their own experiences of advocacy and facilitating access within both schools and other extracurricular activities.
