Nareg Hartounian, Naregatsi Art Institute founder and president, was awarded the RA Prime Minister's Medal.

On December 3 a special event "Join for the sake of equal opportunities" took place in the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities devoted to the UN Convention on the "Rights of Persons with Disabilities” ratified by the Republic of Armenia.

Nareg Hartounian, Naregatsi Art Institute founder and president, was awarded the RA Prime Minister's Medal on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and for the significant contribution in solving the problems of people with special needs in Yerevan and Shushi.
Naregatsi Art Institute (Yerevan - 2004, Shushi - 2006) is a unique cultural center, with all necessary conditions for the free movement of the people with special needs. The Center's mission is to create equal conditions for all, and thus contribute to the full integration of the handicapped to the public. Being accessible environment the center creates great opportunities for them to not only participate in the events, but also present their works.

The RA Prime Minister's Medal was also awarded to Ralph Yirikian, general manager of VivaCell-MTS, N. Ghukasian, Director of the National Institute of Education of the Ministry of Education and Science, K. Koloyan, "Arabkir" medical rehabilitation center surgeon, and the Public Radio of Armenia.

The event was attended by First Lady Rita Sargsyan, representatives of the legislative and executive bodies, accredited ambassadors in the RA, employers, and NGO representatives. Speeches were made by the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs A. Grigoryan. There was a concert featuring Armenian singers, with the participation of the disabled persons as well.