Author: Jagharian Tania

PRESS RELEASE: Team Artsakh wins the Assarian National Tournament

Jagharian Tania
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On July 15th Girls of Armenia Leadership Sports Educational Foundation (GOALS) organized the final round of the Assarian National Tournament for girls aged 12 to 16. 

Leading up to the final games over 80 teams of girls from across Armenia and Artsakh participated in regional competitions. Four teams each representing their regions, Lori (Stepanavan), Syunik (Goris), Shirak (Artik) and Artsakh (Stepanakert), made it to the final games hosted at the Avan Football Academy in Yerevan. Each and every single girl present at the tournament was there to win and to represent their team. After a fierce competition in the final game between Artsakh and Syunik, Artsakh came out victorious winning this year’s National Tournament. 

‘I am really happy about this victory. I was sure we would win because we put countless hours into practice and we were determined. As a team, we were invested 100% in the learning process. GOALS came to Artsakh two years ago, and since then we have waited for this day and it finally came”, reflected Valentina Grigoryan, a player from Artsakh. 

Gagik Aghabalyan, an Armenian Football Federation executive committee member, was present at the award ceremony. In his opinion, this initiative is one of the efforts in Armenia through which we develop girls’ football, “We talk about men in football every day, yet we seldom speak about our girls. Gradually, our attitudes and stereotypes must change. Great victories start from paths like this”. 

To increase girls’ participation in sports, GOALS Educational Foundation created 8 football leagues in Armenia and Artsakh. Over 1000 students are engaged in 80 football teams: not only do girls develop football skills in these teams, but also, they develop skills and knowledge in healthy lifestyle and hygiene, leadership, and social-emotional competencies, such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and mutual respect. They break stereotypes and show agency against discrimination.

‘Throughout the past couple of years, we have seen how our programs and our girls have developed. There have been many obstacles along the way and the challenges still persist, such as a common stereotype about women’s participation in sports, however with over 1000 girls now leading a healthy lifestyle and learning essential skills along the way we must be doing something right. A team sport isn’t just about being an athlete, it’s also about learning transferable skills that are not only necessary to be successful in sports, but also life. After all, life is basically a team sport”, mentioned  GOALS CEO, Teny Avakian. 

As stereotypical thinking, quality education issues, and the lack of financial opportunities hinder the development of young girls and women in Armenia, GOALS provides girls aged 6 to 16 with infrastructures, sports gear, coaches, training and other resources to develop and learn.

Using sports for social impact GOALS aims to help youth overcome challenges in the field and beyond.  The National Tournament, which has already become a tradition, this year is named after Dr. Gary and Linda Assarian for their generous support of the GOALS Educational Foundation.

Girls of Armenia Leadership Sports (GOALS) is a non-profit, non- governmental  organization operating in Armenia since 2016. It is the only sports organization in Armenia promoting gender equality through sports-  primarily in rural Armenia and Artsakh- and is dedicated to empowering girls and young women across Armenia by promoting health, life and leadership skills through their participation in an all-female soccer league. GOALS’ Theory of Change is rooted in the philosophy that sport can be used as a vehicle for transforming society and expanding the possibilities of its participants. The Theory of Change can be summarized into three core activities: (1) creating safe spaces for young women and children to participate in sport, (2) educating communities and challenging existing stereotypes through sport for social impact curriculum, and (3) fostering strong partnerships with local institutions to lay a sustainable framework for our activities. GOALS provides the infrastructure, coaches, equipment and resources to create girls’ soccer leagues in rural communities across Armenia and Artsakh. Currently over 1000 girls from 80 communities participate in the organization’s activities. 


— 

Teny Avakian

Chief Executive Officer
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
(374) 95705555 
http://www.goalsarmenia.org/
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European Fund for Southeast Europe partners with Armenian bank to help small businesses

Jagharian Tania

The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) has partnered with Inecobank in Armenia by providing US$10 million in financing to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in critical sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation, The financing is expected to enable around 1,200 loans to MSMEs and to support more than 4,000 jobs.

The investment is an essential part of EFSE’s overall programme to support MSMEs affected by the economic, social, and security challenges triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the related sanctions.

Rising inflation and surging energy prices are raising MSMEs operational costs and depleting their liquidity buffers. The investment aims to give MSMEs in vital sectors continued access to finance to secure the needed inputs, services, inventories, and reserves, and to help them mitigate supply-chain disruptions. 

Working with the EU4Business initiative, EFSE aims to foster economic development and prosperity in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Neighbourhood Region by investing in the success of micro and small enterprises as well as improved living conditions for private households. 

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Press release

AW: Little Marinka honors her hero father with song

Jagharian Tania
 Talar Keoseyan Music 2

Marinka singing a song for her dad

Marinka Grigoryan is an adorable little girl who loves to play with her sister Monica. She also loves to sing. Her debut song “Aghchikneric Heros Hayrikin” is dedicated to her late father Narek Grigoryan. 

Narek Grigoryan gave his life defending Armenia and Artsakh. He was only 29 years old, studying dentistry. He left behind his beautiful 26-year-old wife Mariam and his two precious daughters.  

Martyred soldier Narek Grigoryan

Marinka is seven years old. She lives with her mom, sister and maternal grandparents in Masis, Armenia. She will be in the second grade in September. Her little sister, who is six years old, will be entering first grade.

Mariam says her daughters love the outdoors. They are enjoying their summer off from school and spending time with family. Marinka is working on a new song.

Marinka and Monica Grigoryan

Mariam stated that she is overwhelmed by the kindness of people. She is grateful for the Diaspora and the help that they have given her. It’s a very difficult situation being a 26-year-old widow raising two little girls on her own. But Mariam is determined to give her children the best life possible. She is Marinka’s number one fan and encourages her daughter to reach for the stars.

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Talar Keoseyan is a mother, educator and writer. Talar’s book called Mom and Dad, Why Do I Need to Know My Armenian Heritage? is available on Amazon. Tigran’s Song is available at Abril Bookstore. She has been an educator for 25 years and resides in Los Angeles, CA. She can be reached at 


Armenia ruling force lawmaker: Stopping process of normalizing relations with Turkey is counterproductive

Jagharian Tania
NEWS.am
Armenia –
13:25, 26.07.2022

Armenia does not intend to abandon negotiations with Turkey and Azerbaijan. Sargis Khandanyan, a member of the Armenian delegation to the OSCE PA and an MP from the ruling majority “Civil Contract” Faction of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, told this to reporters in the NA on Tuesday.

Reporters asked whether Armenia’s ruling Civil Pact Party was considering the possibility of stopping the negotiation process with Ankara if the latter’s destructive policies and approaches continue.

In response, Khandanyan recalled that during last year’s snap parliamentary elections in Armenia, the Civil Contract Party had declared the peace agenda in the South Caucasus.

“The peace agenda assumes that Armenia needs to normalize its relations with [all] neighbors. Therefore, we will considerably expand our efforts to achieve that goal. This will ultimately enable peace to be established in the region, and the era of peace will finally be able to be fully brought to fruition.

But stopping the process of normalization of relations at a certain moment is counterproductive, especially from the point of view of our strategy and future vision. So, no. We have no such desire,” Khandanyan emphasized, adding that they will continue cooperation with all associates.


Government allocates 10,8 mln drams for organization of Pan-Armenian Olympiad on Armenian Studies

Jagharian Tania

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 12:32,

YEREVAN, JULY 25, ARMENPRESS. The government of Armenia allocated 10,8 million drams for the organization of the Pan-Armenian Olympiad on Armenian Studies, the ministry of education, science, culture and sport said in a press release.

The Olympiad will take place in the first half of August and will be attended by around 90 delegates from Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora.

The Pan-Armenian Olympiads on Armenian Studies are taking place once in 2 years. They aim at promoting the knowledge of Armenian language, literature, history and culture among Armenian children living abroad, helping to recognize Armenia and strengthen ties with the homeland.

The first Olympiad was held in 2003.

14-18 aged students with respective knowledge participate in the Olympiad. However, students, who do not speak Armenian, but have sufficient knowledge of Armenian history and culture, could also participate.

The Olympiad lasts a week, during which, in addition to competitions, other events are also organized. Visits are organized to Armenia’s beautiful sites, as well as the participants have a chance to meet with famous figures of different spheres.

Artsakh is my source of inspiration- Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte in homeland to get acquainted with assistance programs

Jagharian Tania

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 09:53, 18 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. American-Armenian writer, philanthropist, activist Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, the President of the Westbrook City Council, visited Armenia not only for getting acquainted with the process of social programs being implemented at her initiative, but also to get the passport of Armenia as she has received an Armenian citizenship.

“I applied a year ago, I was looking forward to this day. I was told that I have to personally visit the Department of Passport and Visa of the Police of Armenia for getting my passport. And now I am here to get my passport, which is a very important event for me”, she said in an interview to ARMENPRESS.

Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte is also in Armenia to get acquainted with the programs being implemented by the Anna Astvatsaturian Foundation, as well as to get to know what kind of assistance programs are needed in Armenia and Artsakh. For this purpose she plans to visit Talin, Gyumri, Khndzoresk, Goris, as well as Artsakh.

On June 1 the Foundation launched “Ser Artsakh” charity program. The program is implemented by the efforts of Armenians living in Diaspora and Armenia. Within the framework of the program, families of around 200 children born in Artsakh have been provided with gift-boxes.

“It was reported from Artsakh that the number of births has greatly increased after the war. Before that we were discussing how to help families and decided to give a gift-box to family of a new-born baby, which consists of 25 pieces, involving clothes, medical and care items for a mother and a child, toys, books, etc. After the war our compatriots continue living in Artsakh, having children, which is very important. And we should help mothers. I am a mother myself and I understand very well how difficult it is in the beginning. Therefore, we decided to provide gift-boxes with necessary items”, she said.

During her upcoming visit to Artsakh, Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte plans to visit the babies and their parents. After that, meetings with local authorities are scheduled.

“Our compatriots participate in the program financially, but the items of the box are purchased or ordered in the homeland and provided to the families of new-born babies in Artsakh. The purpose is to circulate the funds here and help our compatriots in Artsakh. I would like to note that the items in the gift-boxes are on a good quality, mothers also approved them. Most of our compatriots of the Diaspora have also liked that products, even some of them wished to get them”, she said.

As for the meetings expected in Artsakh, she said that it is important in terms of obtaining information. She said that Diaspora lacks information about Artsakh. They have no information on what is happening in Artsakh and what will happen then.

“Now I am trying to understand what are the developments in order to present them in the Diaspora. Many people there wait until the situation in Artsakh is clarified and then to provide support. Of course, we understand that the most important is the security of Artsakh. Without it it’s impossible to help develop the economy, build houses, develop business and implement educational programs. I am trying to explain that even if there is unstable situation, Armenians live there and need support, as new generation is being born. People living there deserve more”, she said, adding that she understands very well what it means to be a refugee, lose a homeland and everything because years ago, living in Baku, she and her family passed through similar challenges. Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte is one of the witnesses of Armenian pogroms in Azerbaijan.

Asked what is her message to the residents of Artsakh as a person who faced such difficulties, Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte stated: “I am conveying the most important thing: to help each other in any situation. We in Armenia think that someone abroad will see, will understand our pain and will help. But my message is that we should find that path on our own, by helping each other. Communication with them is very important for me. Artsakh and its people are a source of inspiration for me. When I visit Artsakh, I get a lot of energy, new ideas arise. Now it’s important for us to ensure the continuation of “Ser Artsakh” program. The more people are aware of the program, the more supporters it will have”.

 

Interview by Anna Gziryan




Newspaper: Ball is in Armenia ruling force MPs’ court

Jagharian Tania
NEWS.am
Armenia – July 19 2022
Newspaper: Ball is in Armenia ruling force MPs’ court
10:18, 19.07.2022

YEREVAN. – Hraparak daily of Armenia writes: On July 22, the NA [(National Assembly)] Council shall convene the second special session by force of law to continue the process of stripping the opposition members of their [parliamentary] mandates.

The first [respective] discussion initiated by the [ruling majority] CC [Civil Contract Faction of the NA] did not take place on July 14, as the opposition members had not come to the session. The law sets a one-week period for them to convene a meeting again; and if they do not come again, the matter will be discussed without the opposition.

It is already known that the NA Council will not accept such a decision, but the CC radical wing, as we can see, can petition [to the Constitutional Court in this regard]; we are talking about 20-23 MPs.

However, it seems that the [aforesaid] MPs will not petition either, as they are afraid of the sanctions of the international organizations, which have insinuated that they will accept such a decision as a political persecution of the opposition.

Azerbaijan holding international media forum in occupied Armenian Shushi city of Artsakh

Jagharian Tania
NEWS.am
Armenia –
11:46, 22.07.2022

The Azerbaijan authorities are holding an international media forum, entitled “Global trends in media, new challenges,” in the Azerbaijani-occupied Armenian city of Shushi in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

The editors-in-chief of the media outlets operating in Azerbaijan and journalists from a number of countries are attending this event, Haqqin.az informed.

St. Stephen’s Armenian School Seeks Director

Jagharian Tania
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St. Stephens Armenian Elementary School logo


Established in 1984 in Watertown, Massachusetts, St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School is a private preschool through elementary school dedicated to educational excellence in an environment rich in Armenian culture. The school is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE). 

St. Stephen’s Armenian Preschool, in addition to its accreditation by AISNE, is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and maintains its status as a high quality bilingual preschool in the region.

SSAES is a child-centered American-Armenian institution committed to academic excellence. At the preschool level, the curriculum nurtures the whole child, developing skills in the Armenian language. At the elementary level, core curriculum subjects are taught in English. Armenian language, religion and history are taught in Armenian, with an emphasis on creating awareness and instilling an appreciation of Armenian culture and traditions.

The primary responsibility of the Head of School is to carry out the aforementioned mission of SSAES with integrity. The Head of School leads by example by embodying dedication and commitment to this mission in order to promote a positive environment for teaching and learning

General Responsibilities:

  • Serves as the chief administrator of the school and upholds the mission and values of the school;
  • Maintains, implements, and ensures adherence to school policies and procedures;
  • Manages the day to day operations of the school;
  • Develops and manages the after-school enrichment program and late stay;
  • Manages, maintains and implements recommendations as part of the AISNE school accreditation process;
  • Maintains health and safety protocols.

Instruction and Supervision:

  • Reviews English and Armenian curricula with the Curriculum Coordinator and Education Committee;
  • Interviews, hires and on boards new staff members;
  • Supervises, supports and collaborates with the St. Stephen’s Armenian Preschool director;
  • Evaluates directors, administrative staff and teachers;
  • Conducts faculty meetings in coordination with the curriculum coordinator.

School – Community Outreach:

  • Communicates and enforces policies and procedures as they align with the philosophy of the school for students, staff and parents;
  • Communicates and/or attends meetings with school committees (Board of Directors, Education Committee and Health Committee);
  • Fosters a strong connection between the school, parents and the wider community;
  • Prepares a variety of communications for parents, the church and the greater Armenian community;
  • Maintains a positive relationship with neighboring school communities (Watertown Public Schools and AISNE member schools);
  • Organizes and facilitates school functions, including Christmas and end-of-year ceremonies;
  • Cultivates relationships with prospective benefactors to the school.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in education;
  • Experience in administration, as well as curriculum and instruction;
  • Minimum of 10 years relevant experience.

Benefits: 

  • Competitive salary;
  • Coverage for health and dental insurance;
  • 403(B) plan with match.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé, a statement of educational leadership philosophy and three letters of recommendation to [email protected].

Fellow soldier arrested in connection with soldier’s death

Jagharian Tania

Fellow soldier arrested in connection with soldier’s death

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 17:59,

YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. As a result of the investigation into the criminal case over the death of conscript Arsen Manukyan, a number of circumstances have been revealed. As ARMENPRESS was informed by the Investigative Committee, Arsen Manukyan’s fellow-soldier has been arrested.

Earlier, the Investigative Committee informed that on July 14, 2022 at around 10:25 a.m., private Arsen Manukyan, a mandatory conscript soldier of the N military unit of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, while performing the duties of an observer in a combat position, fatally shot himself from an “AKM” type assault rifle attached to him.