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PRESS RELEASE
Friday, October 19, 2007
AGBU Participates in 60th Annual United Nations Conference on Climate
Change
In the company of over 2000 civil society representatives from 90
countries, AGBU attended the 60th Annual United Nations Department of
Public Information/Non Governmental Organization (UN DPI/NGO) Conference
entitled "Climate Change: How It Impacts Us All" at UN Headquarters in
New York from September 5-7, 2007.
Partaking in a three-day itinerary of roundtables, panels, and workshops
were AGBU’s representative to the UN Kim Yacoubian, who also served on
the Conference’s Planning Committee; AGBU HyeGeen’s Peter Darakjian and
Anahid KaraHagopian from California; and community members from the
greater New York area Yelena Ambartsumian, Astrid Avedissian, and Paul
Kayaian.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, this year’s conference focused on the
growing concerns associated with climate change, which United Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has identified as a top priority for the
UN. The conference reviewed scientific evidence on climate change,
including its consequences on indigenous peoples, water security, land
use, and the politics of energy. For the first time in the conference’s
history, participants issued a "Final Declaration" that makes
recommendations for individual action as well as collaborative work to
combat climate change.
One of the special events over the course of the conference was a
screening of a documentary produced by the Conference’s
Multigenerational Subcommittee entitled "United Differences: Family
Impacts on Climate Change," which explores the roles both families and
individuals play in preventing climate change. Bringing this issue close
to home, one of the families appearing in the documentary was that of
AGBU Central Board Member Arda Haratunian. For more information on the
documentary, visit
Another important conference outcome, the "Youth Education Outreach
Initiative," was designed to foster interactive and informative
discussions in worldwide educational settings. Introducing climate
change issues to children at an early age, the initiative seeks to
encourage advocacy among youth and promote the belief that individual
daily actions can make a meaningful difference and effectuate change.
Its suggested educational activities, found on the "Youth" section of
, serve as a resource for teachers and
students and can be easily integrated into lesson plans or workshops.
For more information on the proceedings of the 60th Annual UN DPI/NGO
Conference on conference, please visit
The largest Armenian non-profit in the world, AGBU preserves and
promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational,
cultural, and humanitarian programs. AGBU has been associated as an NGO
through UN DPI since 1989. For more information on AGBU and its
worldwide programs, please visit