ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: [email protected]
Website:
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 14, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Email: [email protected]
ANCA INTERNS RETURN TO UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY LIFE COMMITTED
TO STRENGTHENING GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM
WASHINGTON, DC – A summer of intense grassroots activism and
political training came to an end this week as the 2008 Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) "Leo Sarkisian" summer
interns returned to their campuses and communities, energized to
put their enhanced skills to work in advancing Armenian American
advocacy priorities.
This year’s participants gathered from across the U.S., Canada,
and as far away as Argentina to work in the ANCA national
headquarters and gain first-hand Armenian American advocacy
training in the heart of Washington, D.C. "Having such a
diverse group of motivated and intelligent young activists, each
with different backgrounds and experiences, really added to the
richness of this year’s internship experience," said Internship
Coordinator Serouj Aprahamian. "I think they’ve gained a lot,
not only from working in the office but also from one another
and I’m sure they will go on to be true torchbearers for our
Cause well into the future."
As in years past, each intern was assigned a specially tailored
project geared toward enhancing the ANCA’s efforts and
strengthening their advocacy skill-set. The internship group
also took part in a comprehensive lecture series featuring such
highly acclaimed speakers as Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Tatoul Markarian,
Senior Council to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee Dean
Shahinian, as well as ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and former ARF
Bureau member Garo Armenian.
Participants were also given the opportunity to attend a number
of foreign policy and human rights briefings on Capitol Hill,
including the testimony of US Undersecretary of State Dan Fried
on American policy toward Armenia and the nomination hearings
for the newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Yerevan, Marie
Yovanovitch.
Throughout this whirlwind of Hai Tahd education, training and
activity, each participant gained a broader understanding of the
factors at play when it comes to Armenia and the advancement of
Armenian American issues. They also walked away with a variety
of newly gained skills ranging from conducting in-depth
research, to working with the media, meeting with representative
officials and even engaging in international diplomacy.
Named in honor and memory of pioneering ANCA activist Leo
Sarkisian, this eight-week intensive program, now in its 24th
year, gives student leaders and activists the tools necessary to
effectively advance Armenian American concerns on campus and in
their communities. It is an integral part of the ANCA Capital
Gateway program, a year-round internship / job placement service
which provides Armenian Americans greater opportunities to
explore careers on Capitol Hill, in the U.S. Foreign Service and
key Washington, DC foreign policy think tanks. To learn more
about the ANCA Capital Gateway Program, visit:
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Photo Captions:
Photo #1:Visiting the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol
Hill. From (l to r) Razmig Nalpatian, Zori Eurdekian, Rita
Astoor, Nieri Avanessian, Arbi Vartan, and Razmik Tchakmakian
Photo #2: ANCA Interns gain insight on U.S.-Armenia relations
and Armenia foreign policy during a visit with Armenian
Ambassador Tatoul Markarian (center). From l to r: Longtime ANCA
activist Manas Boujikian, Arbi Vartan, Rita Astoor, Nieri
Avanessian, Markarian, Razmik Tchakmakian, Zori Eurdekian,
Razmig Nalpatian, and ANCA leader Garo Armenian.