City Research Center

The main activities of City research Center include but are not limited to:
An International Movement, “Cultural Caucasus” (www.cityresearch.org/culturalcaucasus) - promotion of cultural dialogue and understanding among the South Caucasus states.
A network of allies from the states of South Caucasus is successfully promoting the intercultural dialogue in all the countries of the region. Three projects to help increase cross-cultural interaction took place in Gyumri, Armenia in September 2004, in Gori, Georgia in August 2005, and in Ardanuch, Artvin, Turkey in July 2006, in Shouakhevi, Adjara, August 2007. We plan to conduct another cross-cultural event in Isfahan, Iran.
The members of the movement - motivated citizens from Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Azerbaijan continue spreading the idea of peaceful coexistence, cultural integrity, cross-border growth and development in the region.
On October 2007 the CRC conducted an intercultural action among the young citizens of Gyumri (Armenia), Kars (Turkey) and Akhaltsikhe (Georgia) within the “All Different – All Equal” Campaign of Council of Europe.

“ Alexandrapol ” project (www.alexandrapol.org) – promotion of cultural tangible and intangible heritage of different historic cities of South Caucasus and particularly Gyumri through research, awareness-raining activities among the population, hands-on projects.
- The Electronic Database of the historical landmarks located in Gyumri’s Historic District has been creaded;
- A web site of Gyumri’s historical landmarks has been created (www.alexandrapol.org)
- A set of post cards presenting the residential houses of Gyumri of 19th-beginnign of 20th centuries has been published
- A social marketing campaign to promote Gyumri’s historical heritage within the community has been designed. Different activities within the campaign have been implemented: the community survey, walking tours by historic downtown, a concert, TV ads, a TV talk show, publication of post cards and posters, meetings with community members and an expo
- The Gyumri’s Historic District has been selected for inclusion on the 2008 World Monuments Watch® List of 100 Most Endangered Sites (www.wmf.org), which will draw international attention towards the cultural heritage of Gyumri and will help create more opportunities for its preservation and promotion.
- A conference entitled “Cultural Heritage – Potential for Community Development” was organized and held in Gyumri to discuss the possibilities for historic preservation, economic benefit of preservation and cultural revitalization.
- In partnership with Earthwatch Institute the CRC invited international volunteers, particularly form Europe and US for helping to conduct the architectural research on Gyumri historic heritage.

CIVITAS Virtual School (www.civitasschool.org) - providing place-based on-line education to Gyumri school students and grownups.
A virtual school includes four divisions: History, Ecology, English language and Emergency Preparedness.
Currently the CRC is conducting outdoor education activities relating to the history, ecology of Gyumri and the relations with the neighbouring states with school students and their teachers. The activities help them to recognize their city, state, region, the neighbouring states and cities, become more aware on the mankind values, such as tolerance, respect for cultural and religious diversity, human rights and peaceful coexistence.