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PRESS RELEASE
Monday, December 22, 2008
AGBU Scout Movement Begins in Armenia
The scouting movement has its unique place among the activities of AGBU.
The first AGBU scout troops were formed in Lebanon, Syria and Egypt in
the 1940s and, since then, new groups have formed around the world. This
year, and for the first time, AGBU initiated a scout troop in Armenia.
Early this year, Hermine Duzian, AGBU Diasporan Youth Programs
Coordinator in Armenia, began recruiting potential scouts at the Arabkir
Children’s Center of Yerevan. Through gatherings and consultations, as
well as meetings with potential scout parents, the heads of the new
scout troop explained the binding principles of the international
scouting movement. As a result of these events, the troop enrolled a
substantial number of youths interested in the mission of scouting,
which is to educate youth about good conduct, respect for others, and
honesty. Scouts learn skills that will last a lifetime, including basic
outdoor skills, first aid, citizenship skills, leadership skills, and
how to get along with others.
A Movement Begins
The flag-blessing ceremony of the first Armenia-based scout troop took
place on June 2008. A month later, the AGBU Armenia scout troop joined
300 diasporan Armenian scouts to participate in two summer camping
sessions at the newly opened AGBU Antranik Camp in Armenia’s Lori
region. Since then, the scouting movement continues to expand in Armenia
as a result of growing local interest.
On November 29, 2008, the first official gala celebration of the newly
established scout troop took place in Yerevan, Armenia. The event was
attended by the Republic of Armenia’s Education and Science Deputy
Minister Bagrat Yesayan, president of "Children First" non-profit
organization, Nani Oskanian, Armenian painter Mr. & Mrs. Hagop Hagopian,
artists Mr. & Mrs. Jirayr Altounian, Mr. & Mrs. Nikolay Tsaturian, and
others.
The festive evening culminated the inaugural year of AGBU’s scouting
activities in Armenia and is set to become the first tradition of the
country’s fledgling scout movement.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually serving some
400,000 Armenians around the world.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
