Author: Emil Lazarian

An agreement on cooperation in the field of information security has been signed between the governments of Armenia and Russia, press service of the Russian Security Council informs.

In particular, the parties will cooperate in countering threats in the area, will exchange data in order to identify, prevent, suppress and investigate offenses related to the use of information and communication technologies for terrorism and other criminal purposes.

On behalf of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia, the agreement was signed by the secretaries of the security councils of the two countries Nikolai Patrushev and Armen Grigoryan.

The California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation announced the winners of this year’s California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship, Asbarez reports.

The California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation has worked hard this year to advocate and participate in educational and governmental efforts in California and awarded 6 scholarships to California high school students who entered essay and arts contests.

“Year after year, I have had the pleasure of seeing this how this scholarship competition has both raised awareness of the Armenian Genocide, and empowered young minds with knowledge for a lifetime,” said Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D-Sherman Oaks). “Genocides, like the Armenian Genocide of 1915 need to be recognized so that future genocides can be prevented.”

“Today, our scholarship winners leave more empowered to recognize and work against future crimes against humanity and I’m proud that the Caucus Foundation has contributed to development of that skillset in these young Californians,” added Assemblymember Nazarian. “I hope that the Caucus Foundation continues to engage in this scholarship moving forward as that has been one of my main goals as a founding member.”

“Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients on this great accomplishment,” remarked Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra). “The student essays and art pieces serve as a reminder of the rich cultural history of Armenian Americans throughout California, as well as the importance of ensuring Armenian Americans have a seat at the policymaking table.”

“My district includes Montebello, a city with a significant Armenian population that is home to the Montebello Genocide Memorial,” added Assemblymember Fong. “It is not lost upon me why it is so important that we remember the atrocities they have faced so that we can be inspired by their resilience and build upon it.”

“Congratulations to the enormously talented winners of the scholarships, and thank you to everyone who took the time to dive deeper and reach further in exploration of the theme, ‘Human to Human Interaction,’” said Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale). “It is such a privilege and inspiration to experience the beautiful, thoughtprovoking artwork and essays from the next generation of Armenian American voices and leaders.”

“When we remember the Armenian Genocide, today, we commit ourselves to fighting systematic injustice and inequality by governments everywhere, and join your cause to stop future genocides,” noted Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena). “Congratulations to the deserving students selected for this scholarship.”

“Hats off to the winners! These students are deserving of the recognition as they used their talents to showcase history through words and visual arts,” said Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita). “The California Armenian Caucus Foundation’s scholarship program is my favorite and I am glad students see it is as a golden opportunity to earn funding to assist for their higher education while learning about some of the darkest days in history.”

“My congratulations to these outstanding California students for their deep commitment to preserving and sharing the rich history of Armenian Americans,” said Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys). “The love for the Armenian people and their culture starts with teaching the next generation in our schools and museums. Our Caucus’ annual essay contest is an essential tool to fostering this essential education across our state.”

Congratulations to these very talented young people. California has remarkable students and it’s wonderful to see scholarships helping them garner future academic opportunities,” remarked Senator Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge).

Earlier this year the California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation invited California high school students to participate in its Annual Essay Contest. Students were asked to write a memo to the Armenian American National Museum sharing with the museum Director one person’s name that should be featured in the museum wing entitled “Notable Armenian Americans.”

Winners of the Annual Essay Contest include:

• First-prize, $1,000: Francine Ghazarian attending Glendale High School in Glendale, CA.First-prize, $1,000: Francine Ghazarian attending Glendale High School in Glendale, CA.
• Second-prize, $750: Sean Choo attending Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in Ranchos Palos Verdes, CA.
• Third-prize, $500: Veronica Gazayan attending Van Nuys Senior High in Van Nuys, CA.

This year’s theme is “Human to Human Interaction.” Submission types were limited to drawings, paintings, photographs, digital illustrations, and graphic design.

Winners of the Visual Arts Scholarship include:

• First-prize, $1,000: Kayla Ranney attending Claremont High School in Claremont, CA.
• Second-prize, $750: Chloe Lou attending Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, CA.
• Third-prize, $500: Mikayel Badalyan attending Burbank High School in Burbank, CA.

A task force has been set up at the Government to work on the Gagarin Project, Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan informs.

“The project is complex, ambitious and risky, but it is a great responsibility and honor to implement such a program with the team of DAR Foundation, the Dutch MVRDV and large institutional investors,” the Minister said, adding that the target goal is a turning point.

Commissioned by the Armenian non-profit organization DAR Foundation for Regional Development and Competitiveness, MVRDV’s vision for the Gagarin Valley will make the 18,000-hectare area more sustainable and ecologically diverse. In the Gagarin Valley, 10,000 plant species will soon flourish on as many plots. With the help of innovative facilities and future-proof housing that will add 12,000 new housing units, the valley will become an ideal base for sustainable agriculture and ecotourism and welcome a new generation of residents.

Armenia’s Gagarin Valley – named after cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin – is located near Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the Caucasus and only 50 kilometers from the capital Yerevan. Surrounded by mountains, roughly 11,000 inhabitants live in several villages spread throughout the valley. The landscape consists of a patchwork of different pieces of land, of which the local community owns about one third.

The first step towards this self-sustaining valley is to embrace the history of the area: the mosaic of 10,000 existing plots will be preserved and reinforced, and the water system in this dry region will be improved by lining the boundaries between them with canals, public paths, and greenery. This forms the base of the valley masterplan, reducing evaporation while enhancing water buffers and biodiversity. On each plot, different species will be planted. This will not only make the landscape visually more attractive, but will also stimulate economic diversity.

In the valley, existing roads will continue to form the starting point for connecting all the villages. Additional walking and cycling paths are created within existing structures. Water management will be improved tremendously: the restoration and enlargement of the route of the Hrazdan River, in combination with the new canal system, is an important part of the vision, and water reservoirs in the mountains and other water sources can be used to irrigate farmland.

The patchwork of 10,000 different gardens will contain various facilities that will make a stay in the valley even more attractive. The vision proposes a market hall, a commercial centre, a centre for the arts, and a sunken stadium for 4,500 visitors. The heart of the valley will be formed by an educational agricultural centre, around which the highest density can be found, with houses stacked to form vertical villages.