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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 31, 2006
AGBU SPONSORS HARVARD ARMENIAN SOCIETY SUMMIT ON THE FUTURE OF ARMENIA
The Harvard Armenian Society welcomed over 85 university students
and young professionals to the Harvard Graduate School of Education
in Cambridge, MA on February 18, 2006 to participate in its first
Intercollegiate Summit on International Development. Funded by AGBU,
the daylong program challenged participants to examine the role of
the Diaspora in the development of Armenia, and propose concrete
project ideas to build a stronger, more prosperous homeland.
Student delegates from the Armenian Student Associations of the
following schools were present: Bentley, Boston College, Boston
University, Brown, Columbia, Duke, MIT, Northeastern, St. Joseph’s
College, Stanford, Tufts and University of Pennsylvania. “The
conference made everyone involved realize how much potential, talent
and experience there is out there,” said Nina Kouyoumdjian, Harvard
sophomore. “The first step is always generating ideas and building
a network of people who are committed to those ideas, and I truly
believe the Summit did just that.”
Representing various facets of Armenian state of affairs, such as
philanthropy, the economy, the environment, politics and culture,
the conference featured a diverse panel of guest speakers: Carol
Aslanian, AGBU Central Board Member and Director of Education; Noubar
Afeyan, Armenia 2020 Founder and CEO; Jason Sohigian, Armenian Tree
Project Representative; Bryan Ardouny, Armenian Assembly of America
Executive Director; and Tom Samuelian, American University of Armenia
Law Department Dean and Arlex International Ltd. Founder.
“I was privileged to share with this group of eager and talented
students how AGBU has devoted its time, energy and resources to
the current and future needs of Armenia and the Diaspora,” said
Ms. Aslanian. “The major outcome for me was the renewed hope I have
for future generations to play a significant role in the development
of Armenia. Volunteerism is an essential part of the lives of young
Armenians, and AGBU is prepared to help channel their unique skills
and capabilities to meet to the needs of our nation.”
Among the many Harvard Armenian Society members responsible for the
event were Co-Presidents Arie Zakaryan and Christine Megerdichian,
Vice-President Nina Kouyoumdjian, Secretary Tamar Ayrikyan, Activities
Chairman Armen Yerevanian and Treasurer Shant Hagopian.
For a copy of the proposals, please email Nina Kouyoumdjian at
[email protected]. For more information on the Harvard Armenian
Society, please visit
Established in 1906, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is
the world’s largest Armenian non-profit organization. Headquartered
in New York City with an annual budget of $34 million, AGBU preserves
and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000
Armenians in 35 countries.
For more information on AGBU and its programs, please visit
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
