On June 24, the FOI Center provided two computers to the Armavir marzpetaran, free of charge, to support the process of introducing the Mulberry e-governance system in the marzpetaran. The launch of the Mulberry system in the Armavir marzpetaran is planned for September 2009. Also, there will be special training for the marzpetaran staff to teach them how to run the system. “The introduction of the Mulberry electronic system of document circulation will make it possible to reduce significantly the time it takes to reply to citizens’ letters and complaints, save human and material resources and increase the effectiveness of work,” – said the FOI Center President Shushan Doydoyan during a meeting with the Armavir marzpet and community leaders from around the marz.Having heard about advantages of the electronic system, the community leaders became quite enthusiastic and asked whether the system will be introduced in their communities as well. The FOI President said there were plans to introduce the Mulberry system in 23 communities by the end of this year, with direct participation of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration.

Then, the FOI Center’s expert Marine Hakobyan talked about the provision, classification, processing and storage of information. The participants were told what kind of information they are required to make public on a regular basis. The Aratashen community leader asked whether “posting decisions in the village mayor’s office is considered making the information public.” M. Hakobyan replied that this was, indeed, the case; however, she also noted that “making information public should be equal to making it accessible.” Community leaders asked in what cases they may refuse to provide information. The expert mentioned the three cases that may serve as grounds for denying information requests: if the information is confidential, if the information is protected by copyright and the person is not the one who possesses the information. At the end of the meeting, the community leaders and members of the marzpetaran staff present at the meeting said that they received a lot of information, and they expressed hope that such meetings will take place in the future as well, “because many outstanding questions get answered during such discussions.”