Author: Kanayan Tamar

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY: “THE INFORMATION IN THE DOCUMENT REFERRED BY ARMENIAN MEDIA REFLECTS POSITION NOT OF THE UN, BUT ARMENIA”

APA
July 26 2012
Azerbaijan

Elman Abdullayev: “The attempt of Armenian media to hoodwink the
international society will fail”

Baku. Victoria Dementieva – APA. “The information in the document
referred by Armenian media outlets has no relation to the position
of the UN. This document is reply of several countries, including
Armenia to request of the UN Secretary General. Consequently, this
information reflects position not of the UN, but Armenia”, Spokesman
for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Elman Abdullayev told APA.

“Armenian media outlets shouldn’t try to release disinformation and
hoodwink the international society. These attempts will fail. The UN
member states, especially UN Security Council have already expressed
position on Armenia, recognized this country as occupier and demanded
to withdraw its troops immediately and unconditionally from occupied
Azerbaijani lands”.

Armenian media outlets released information that in his report,
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon accused Azerbaijan of unleashing a
dangerous race of armaments in the South Caucasus.

Note that, the document named “Conventional arms control at the
regional and subregional levels”, which contained the replies of 8
countries to this issue, was released on July 9.

In its resolution 66/37 of 2 December 2011 on conventional arms control
at the regional and subregional levels, the General Assembly decided
to give urgent consideration to the issues involved in conventional
arms control at the regional and subregional levels, and requested the
Secretary-General to seek the views of Member States on the subject
and to submit a report to the Assembly at its 67th session. Pursuant
to that request, on 9 March 2012, the Secretariat sent a note verbale
to Member States requesting their views on the subject. As of the
writing of the present report, eight replies have been received
from the following States: Armenia, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Germany,
Panama, Spain, Turkey and Turkmenistan. The replies of this countries
were included in the report prepared by the UN Secretary General.

CONGRESSIONAL PRAISE CONTINUES FOR KARABAGH ELECTIONS

July 26, 2012

WASHINGTON-Members of Congress, among them Representatives Howard
Berman (D-Calif.), the Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign
Affairs Committee, Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), a senior member of this
influential panel, and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a leading figure on the
subcommittee that writes the foreign aid bill, continue to congratulate
the citizens and leaders of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic (Artsakh)
on the democratic conduct of their most recent presidential elections,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The legislators joined Reps. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and Frank Pallone
(D-N.J.), the co-chairmen of the Armenian Caucus, in welcoming
Karabagh’s July 19 presidential balloting, which resulted in the
reelection of incumbent Bako Sahakian over two challengers. Some 110
international observers, including those from the U.S., Canada, EU,
former Soviet republics, and Armenia, gave high marks to the elections.

In a statement issued immediately after the election, Berman said:
“I commend the people of Nagorno-Karabagh for continuing to organize
their governance on a democratic basis. I also congratulate President
Sahakian on his success in the July 19 election. I wish him good
luck in leading Nagorno-Karabagh toward a final settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabagh issue, one that fully respects the right of
Nagorno-Karabagh to self-determination.”

Sherman, who led the initial charge back in the mid-1990’s for direct
U.S. aid to Karabagh, said: “I congratulate President Bako Sahakyan of
the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh on his reelection. Since independence,
Artsakh has developed a democracy and a vibrant civil society despite
remarkably difficult challenges. I also congratulate the people of
Artsakh on their record of democratization. I will continue to work in
the House Foreign Affairs Committee to make sure our foreign policy is
supportive of the independence and prosperity of the Nagorno-Karabagh
Republic.”

Schiff issued a statement congratulating the citizens of
Nagorno-Karabagh on the conduct of free and fair elections: “Last
Thursday, the people of Artsakh went to their polls to elect a
new president in what has been widely reported as a free and fair
election. I offer my congratulations to President Bako Sahakian, and
wish him well as Nagorno Karabagh Republic continues its hard-won
progress.” He added, “By their continuing devotion to freedom and
democracy, despite two decades of violence and threats from its larger,
richer, and undemocratic neighbor, the people of Artsakh have reminded
the world of their commitment to representative government.

Their cause is our cause, and they will continue to have my strongest
support.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of the highly successful free and fair
presidential election in Nagorno-Karabagh,” said Rep. Anna Eshoo
(D-Calif.), who, along with Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), are the two
Members of Congress of Armenian heritage. “Despite decades of violence
and threats from overpowering, undemocratic neighbors, the people
of Artsakh have maintained an unwavering commitment to freedom and
democracy, and they will always have my support.”

Speier concurred, noting, “Democracy lives in Nagorno-Karabagh! The
fifth free and fair presidential election in the Republic is a
true testament to the commitment and independence of its people and
proof that Democracy can bloom in an area of the world where there
is little.”

Congressman David Cicilline (D), whose home state of Rhode Island
has officially recognized the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh, stated:
“I congratulate the Nagorno Karabagh Republic on holding another free
and fair presidential election, showcasing democracy in action for
the rest of the world. In addition, I would like to recognize the
invaluable contributions of former Rhode Island Attorney General
Patrick Lynch, who assisted as an international observer.”

Jim Costa, who represents much of California’s Central Valley,
said: “The United States stands with the people of Nagorno-Karabagh
because our citizens share so many of the same foundational ideals,
including a commitment to the values of freedom, human rights,
self-determination and democracy. With these most recent elections,
the people of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic have truly lived up to
the promise of democracy,”

As reported earlier, Pallone welcomed Artsakh’s elections by noting,
“It is heartening to see [Nagorno-Karabagh’s] continued dedication
to peaceful democracy,” adding, “I am pleased the Republic continues
to hold regular parliamentary and presidential elections that have
previously been viewed as free and fair by international observers.”

Royce stressed that “These elections represent the strength of
the democratic process in the Nagorno Karabagh Republic and are a
testament to the commitment of the people in Artsakh to the Republic’s
sovereignty.”

For the full text of the Pallone and Royce statements, visit
anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=2156.

ARTSAKH IS THE BEST RESTING PLACE FOR THE MARSEILLE DEPUTY MAYOR’S FAMILY

ARMENPRESS
26 July, 2012
YEREVAN

Yerevan, July 26, ARMENPRESS: Faithful to his promise, every year
the Marseille Deputy Mayor organizes his family’s summer vacation
in Armenia. As “Armenpress” was informed by the Armenian Ministry
of Diaspora, the Marseille Deputy Mayor Didier Parakyan mentioned in
the meeting with the Armenian Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan,
that this year they are going to expand the scope of visits including
also Artsakh. Didier Parakyan assured that he will not violate this
tradition.

EX-POLICEMAN, WHO TRIED TO MAKE AN ACT OF SELF-IMMOLATION IN FRONT OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S RESIDENCE, GOES ON A HUNGER STRIKE NEAR POLICE BUILDING

arminfo
Thursday, July 26, 17:19

Alumyan confesses that 1.9 mln AMD (nearly 5 thsd USD) has already
been paid to him, but the issue of the rest 2.5 mln AMD still hangs
in the air. During his protest action, the employees of the Armenian
Police press service approached him and advised him to stop the hunger
strike and to present his demands to the Police leadership in the
written form. Alumyan refused to do that.

To note, Alumyan is a father of 5 minor children. Having lost his job,
Alumyan made an attempt of self- immolation in front of the president’s
residence on June 7, demanding compensation for his overtime work
in the law-enforcing bodies, as well as medical assistance for his
disabled daughter. The problem of the medical assistance has already
been solved. Alumyan’s daughter will be operated on in the near future.

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO GEORGIA: ARMENIAN CHURCHES IN GEORGIA ARE MOLDERING HAVING NO REAL OWNER

arminfo
Thursday, July 26, 17:22

Problem with Armenian churches in Georgia is closely connected with
invented threats to the national culture of that country and regular
media reports on out-of-left field demands of the Armenian party.

Armenian Ambassador to Georgia Hovhanness Manukyan made such statement
in an interview with News.ge.

In the meanwhile, the Armenian party has officially requested return
of six churches (five in Tbilisi and one in Akhaltsikha).

“However, media disseminate some three-digit figures, apparently
intentionally, in order to sensitize the public against the fact of
possible return of the churches,” the Ambassador said. Manukyan said
that the major problem now is that the churches are moldering having
no real owner amid pseudo-scientific discussions on their belonging.

“Meanwhile, due to their distinguishing architectural features those
churches could become a real decoration for the capital of Georgia
adding some ancient coloring to it,” the diplomat said.

TVARMRU CORRESPONDENT STATION TO OPEN IN KARABAKH

arminfo
Thursday, July 26, 17:24

A Correspondent Station of the TVARMRU, the first Russian Armenian
cultural TV channel, is opening in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,
ArmInfo’s correspondent to Stepanakert reports.

Director of the Armenian Office of TVARMRU Vahan Ghazaryan, who is
currently in NKR, says that Vesti Armenia (News Armenia) program will
cover also Nagorno Karabakh. At the first stage journalists of the
Armenian Office of the TV Company will prepare reports on Karabakh. In
a year, TVARMRU will have a special news block on Karabakh.

The company tries to fill the gap of information on NKR, in particular,
the TV channel will cover charitable programs, provide information
on management of the funds donated from Diaspora to encourage the
Armenian compatriots in Armenia to make more investments.

The staff of the Karabakh office will undergo re-training. For that
purpose, specialists will be invited from Yerevan. The Staff of
TVARMRU Karabakh Correspondent Station will also undergo training
till August 15 in Yerevan.

Narine Aghabalyan, NKR Minister for Culture and Youth, says
regular news from Nagorno Karabakh will lead the country out of the
informational isolation Karabakh and provide impartial information
on NKR to the world.

PRIVATE ARMENIAN SCHOOL WINS SUIT IN GLENDALE

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 26, 2012 – 17:17 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A private Armenian school was improperly shut down
by Glendale officials, some of whom gave false testimony about events
that led to the closure of the campus in 2010, a Los Angeles County
Superior Court judge has ruled, according to Glendale News-Press.

In the ruling handed down last week, Judge David Milton found that city
officials used “increased fees, yellow tagging and other steps” as a
“pretext to achieve an unlawful purpose, closing plaintiff’s school.”

Milton awarded that school, Scholars Academic Foundation, $135,000
in damages.

City Atty. Mike Garcia said by phone Wednesday, July 25, that he
vehemently disagrees with Milton’s decision, but city officials have
yet to decide whether to appeal.

“We were pretty shocked by some of these conclusions,” Garcia said.

The debacle began when Scholars Academic Foundation moved from its
location at 1021 Grandview Ave. to a former Glendale Unified School
District building at 3800 Foothill Blvd. in January 2010 without
proper city permits.

The school’s principal, Anahit Grigoryan, said during court proceedings
that the city’s former zoning administrator, Edith Fuentes, said they
could operate in the new building if they quickly applied for permits.

That turned out to be an incorrect assessment.

The city sent the kindergarten-to-12th-grade school violation notices
but never received a response. In a surprise February 2010 visit,
a fire inspector determined the building was unsafe to occupy as
a school.

But Milton said the inspector’s decision to yellow-tag the building
– making it temporarily uninhabitable – was “not supported by the
evidence.”

The inspector, Jeffrey Halpert, said the City Council ordered the
city attorney to “go after the school,” according to Milton’s ruling.

“It’s just not true,” Garcia said, contending that Halpert’s statement
was based on hearsay.

Mayor Frank Quintero also said Wednesday that the City Council did
not give those marching orders, but officials take children’s safety
seriously.

“When it comes to children’s safety, it’s always important that things
get done properly, and that’s the bottom line,” he said.

In court documents, city officials said the school had an inadequate
fire alarm and locked or blocked exits, prompting the shutdown.

Ron Billing, a city building inspector, testified that the exits were
blocked by chairs stacked in a hallway. Additionally, he said, the fire
alarm system needed replacement batteries. In an earlier declaration
used to support the temporary restraining order that resulted in the
school’s closure, he said the problems were more severe, claiming,
in part, that there was no fire system at all.

Billing, who has been in Glendale for 10 years, “did not display the
level of knowledge, expertise, objectivity or veracity expected from
a government official,” Milton wrote, noting Billing acknowledged
that the 2010 declaration was partially false.

The judge added that some witnesses, including Fuentes, were “not
candid during all court proceedings due to fear of retaliation”
by the city.

The school moved to several other locations after being shut down. It
is now operating in Los Angeles, although it has lost all but roughly
25 of its original 300 students.

“Our client was fully and completely vindicated,” said Richard Foster,
the school’s attorney. “As demonstrated by the decision, the city’s
misconduct was outrageous, dishonest and prevalent, reaching to the
highest levels.”

Foster added that the school plans to ask a judge to require the city
to pay its attorney’s fees.

A financial analyst testified that over 10 years, the school could
have made $2.75 million. Milton divided that to cover the first six
months after the building was yellow-tagged.

Garcia disagreed with the monetary damages, adding that the city’s
decisions did not constitute a “taking” of property because they did
not deprive the owners of economically viable use of their property.

GEORGIA’S NEUTRALITY ON THE KARABAKH IS THE BEST OPTION AT THIS POINT, ARMENIAN AMB. SAYS

armradio.am
26.07.2012 17:12

Armenia is convinced of the relevance of the Minsk Group format for the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, Armenian Ambassador to Georgian
Hovhannes Manukyan said in an interview with news.ge. The Ambassador
added that “Armenia makes political efforts to achieve success within
that framework.”

“Unfortunately, the number of cases of ceasefire violation by the
Azerbaijan side has increased in the recent period, resulting in
human losses at the line of contact,” the Ambassador said.

“Such policy of Azerbaijan indicates that the country is not committed
to the principle of peaceful resolution of the conflict. As for
Georgia, at this point its neutrality on the issue is the best option,
which can contribute to the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710
Fax: (212) 779-3558
Web:
Email: [email protected]

TOP STORY
July 26, 2012

Hye Camp begins
Kids at Hye Camp enjoy an afternoon swim (file photo).

Hye Camp to Welcome Campers on Saturday

The Diocese’s Midwest Hye Camp, located at Camp Hickory in Ingleside,
IL, began this week with staff training on Wednesday, July 25.

More than 120 campers are expected to take part in the weeklong camp
program, which will begin on Saturday, July 28. Jennifer Morris, the
Diocese’s Youth Outreach coordinator, is overseeing the staff training
session.

Meanwhile, St. Vartan Camp, housed at the Ararat Center in upstate New
York, is preparing for the beginning of Session `C.’ This final
two-week session will run July 29-August 11.

[4]Click here for information about the camps, and to visit the camp
blogs.
Links:
4.

Scripture of the Week

Is 5:1-10
1 Cor 6:18-7:11
Mt 19:3-12

Prayer of the Week

May the fire of love which you cast on the earth be kindled in our
souls; to cleanse the thoughts of our hearts and cause the light of
your knowledge to shine in us to awake us from the sleep of death and
to kindle our minds with your flame, that by day and by night we may
give you glory incessantly. Amen.

Upcoming Saints & Feasts

28 July: Sons and Grandsons of St. Gregory the Enlightener

29 July: Third Sunday after Transfiguration

30 July: Sts. Maccabees: Eleazar the Priest, Samona and Her Seven Sons

CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

New Church in Arabkiry, Yerevan
An artist’s rendering of the new church scheduled to open in Yerevan
next year.

New Armenian Church Being Built in Yerevan

A new church is being built in Yerevan’s central neighborhood of
Arabkir. Once completed, the house of worship will be the second
largest church in Armenia’s capital city. The building will also house
the local women and youth organizations, as well as classrooms and
halls for community use.

Some 100,000 people reside in Arabkir, which does not have an Armenian
church at present. Members of the local community say they are looking
forward to the opening of the new sanctuary, where they will be able to
gather for services and fellowship. The project, made possible by the
generosity of Louise Manoogian Simone, is expected to conclude by 2013.

[5]Click here to view a video in Armenian about the construction.
Links:
5.

DIOCESAN NEWS

St. Nersess Junior High School Coference participants
Junior High School Conference participants on the steps of St. Vartan
Cathedral.

Junior High Conference Held at St. Nersess Seminary

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary held its Junior High School Conference
from July 19 to 23. Middle school students explored their faith,
learned about the traditions of the Armenian Church, and took part in
discussions about issues important to young people.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit New York’s St. Vartan
Cathedral and to tour the Diocesan Center. In the evenings, they
enjoyed Armenian singing, dancing, and fellowship.

The next conference, for high school students, is scheduled for July 30
to August 7. [6]Click here to visit the seminary’s website for more
information.
Links:
6.

St. Hagop Church, FL
Participants in Saturday’s program at St. Hagop Church pose for a group
photo ([7]click here to view the full image). Photo by Teresa
Haidarian.
Links:
7.

Diocesan Staff Give Presentations in Florida Parishes

The Diocese’s Armenian Studies coordinator Gilda Kupelian and Christian
Education coordinator Elise Antreassian visited two Florida parishes
last weekend, where they made presentations and held meetings with
parish leaders and educators.

At St. Hagop Church in St. Petersburg on Saturday, July 21, they led a
program titled `Raising Children of Faith in the Armenian Tradition –
What Every Parent Should Know.’ Over 30 parishioners attended,
gathering in the sanctuary for a talk on spiritual formation and a
PowerPoint survey of important Armenian historical, literary, and
cultural figures. A fellowship hour followed, during which the
community considered a parish retreat in the fall or spring.

The afternoon program was arranged by the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian,
parish pastor. St. Hagop’s membership has nearly tripled in recent
years, and Fr. Demerjian has been working with the Parish Council to
plan Sunday School, youth, and cultural initiatives to serve the needs
of the growing community.

On Sunday, July 22, Diocesan staff visited Soorp Haroutiun Church in
Orlando, where more than 50 parishioners gathered for the day’s
program. The parish’s visiting priest, the Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan,
celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

Following services, Ms. Kupelian gave a PowerPoint presentation on the
Armenian heritage and culture. Ms. Kupelian and Ms. Antreassian then
met with the pastor, Parish Council member Rita Harvey, parishioner
Anna Stepanyan Vega, and teaching volunteers to discuss the launch of a
new Sunday School in the fall. The school will offer both Christian and
Armenian studies for the parish children and teens.

Lenten Drive
A young Sunday School student at an Easter basket sale held as part of
this year’s Lenten Drive.

Sunday School Students Learn to Make a Difference

This year, Sunday Schools raised more than $14,000 as part of the
Eastern Diocese’s annual Lenten Drive. Three in particular=80’St. Leon
Sunday School of Fair Lawn, NJ, Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Sunday
School of Belleville, IL, and St. James Sunday School of Watertown,
MA-were at the forefront of the effort.

The money will be distributed to two charities: Feeding America, the
nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief organization; and the Fund for
Armenian Relief’s Nor Hajn Soup Kitchen, which serves 300 elderly and
low-income people in Armenia’s Kotayk province.

Click to [8]read more and to [9]view photos.
Links:
8.
9.

DYE Catalogue

“Curriculum & Resource Catalogue” Available Online

In last week’s newsletter, we announced that the 2012 “Curriculum &
Resource Catalogue” is now available online, but provided an incorrect
link for the document. To view and download the catalogue, [10]click
here.
Links:
10.

The catalogue outlines the basic curriculum and supplementary texts and
materials available through the Christian Education division of the
Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education. Materials may be purchased
through the St. Vartan Bookstore using the order form at the end of the
catalogue.

FAR
Doctors take notes during a training session held this summer as part
of FAR’s Continuing Medical Education program.

FAR Hosts Workshops for Doctors in Goris and Kapan

This summer, the Fund for Armenian Relief, in collaboration with the
USAID-funded [11]HS-STAR project, successfully implemented training
sessions for doctors and healthcare workers in Armenia’s southern
cities of Goris and Kapan.
Links:
11.

The training was carried out as part of FAR’s Continuing Medical
Education (CME) program, and offered participants an opportunity to
update their medical knowledge and skills. Additional workshops are
planned for the fall.

CME was created in 2005 by FAR and the FAR Fellowship Alumni
Association. One of FAR’s most extensive programs, it aims to bolster
Armenia’s healthcare system by giving doctors in Armenia’s provinces
access to free workshops on the latest medical advances in their
field.

[12]Click here to read more.
Links:
12.

PARISH NEWS

Armenian Church, Providence

Primate Visits Providence, RI, Parish

On Sunday, July 22, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
visited Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, where he
presided over the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and delivered the
day’s sermon. The badarak was celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin,
parish pastor.

Following services, Archbishop Barsamian presided over a planning
meeting for the 2013 ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend, which
will be hosted by the ACYOA chapter of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church.

The meeting was conducted by several members of the ACYOA Central
Council and the parish’s ACYOA 2013 General Assembly and Sports Weekend
committee members. Also present were Fr. Souin, the Rev. Fr. Krikor
Sabounjian, and ACYOA executive secretary Nancy Basmajian.

Processional Cross
A new cross was donated to St. James Church by the Norehad family.

New Processional Cross Blessed in Evanston, IL

On Sunday, July 15, a new processional cross was dedicated at St. James
Church of Evanston, IL, in memory of two of the church’s founding
members: the late Christine and Onnig Norehad. Parish pastor the Rev.
Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan officiated at the dedication ceremony
following the Divine Liturgy.

The new cross was donated by the children of Christine and Onnig.
During the dedication ceremony, Fr. Khoja-Eynatyan blessed the cross
and members of the Norehad family.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Parish Events

St. John the Baptist Church | Milwaukee, WI
St. John the Baptist Church of Milwaukee, WI, will host its annual
`Armenian Fest’ on Sunday, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on church
grounds (7825 W. Layton Ave. in Milwaukee).

The celebration has been a Milwaukee tradition since the 1930s. It
features Armenian food, live music, and a cultural booth offering
Armenian books and souvenirs. [13]Click here for information.
Links:
13.

St. Gregory the Illuminator Church | Chicago, IL
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL, will host its annual
`Armenian Fest’ on Saturday, August 11, from 5 to 10 p.m., and Sunday,
August 12, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Enjoy lamb, chicken, and luleh kabob; live Armenian music; raffles; and
other activities. The event will be held on church grounds (6700 West
Diversey Ave. in Chicago). For information, call the church at (773)
637-1711, or [14]click here to view a flyer.
Links:
14.

YOUTH NEWS

ASP 2012
ASP participants volunteered at FAR projects in Gyumri.

ACYOA Armenia Service Program Concludes

Participants in this year’s ACYOA Armenia Service Program returned home
last Thursday after a three-week trip to Armenia.

The trip, which ran from June 29 to July 19, offered 17 young adults
from parishes across the Eastern Diocese a chance to experience
Armenia’s historic, spiritual, and cultural sites, and to volunteer at
projects run by the Fund for Armenian Relief in Gyumri. This year’s
program was led by the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan, pastor of Holy Trinity
Church of Cheltenham, PA.

Click to [15]read more and to [16]view photos.
Links:
15.
16.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Higher Education Initiative, Inc.
P.O. Box 100103
Arlington, VA 22210

Email: [email protected]

Armenian Higher Education Initiative Completes 2012 Summer Humanities Program

The Armenian Higher Education Initiative is pleased to announce the
completion of its inaugural summer humanities program. Undergraduate
university students of Armenian heritage came together from Georgia,
Artsakh, as well as universities in Gyumri, Kavar, and Yerevan for an
intensive program in the humanities and social sciences. The aim of
the course was to stimulate critical thinking and provide sound
fundamentals in participants’ areas of study, as well as to deliver
valuable insights into subjects to which students would not otherwise
have had exposure. Core courses consisted of methodology seminars in
political science and history, and they were complemented by lectures
in a variety of other subjects given by local specialists. Classroom
space was provided by Yerevan State University and Counterpart
International.

AHEI staff members Asbed Kotchikian, Hamazasp Danielyan, Gayane
Vardanyan, and Arshak Balayan led the program, and visiting lecturers
included art historian Lilit Sargsyan, Lara Aharonian of the Women’s
Resource Center in Yerevan, ethnologist Tigran Matosyan, Artak
Kirakosyan of the Civil Society Institute, nationalism studies expert
Mikael Zolyan, and media expert Gegham Vardanyan. Drs. Danielyan and
Ara Sanjian led the methodology courses, preparing students for
long-term research projects that will take place in the coming months.

The program was sponsored by the Open Society Institute. OSI alumni
participated in a debate with the AHEI group, and also gave
presentations on their public service activities alongside AHEI final
presentations at the end of the course.

Participants had the opportunity to travel to Echmiadzin, where they
met with the Cross of Armenian Unity NGO. In addition, students met
with members of the Armenian Volunteer Corps/Birthright Armenia, where
they shared their respective experiences and agreed to cooperate on
issues such as finding host families for one another and exchanging
information on local organizations. Towards the end of the program,
students attended a seminar with Jirayr Libaridian, former Advisor to
President Levon Ter-Petrossian, in which they discussed Armenia’s
current and future political situation.

AHEI participants expressed overwhelming satisfaction with the course
and have already created active online networks with one another. The
AHEI aims to create strong bonds between its staff and participants
and provide alumni with valuable information and opportunities for
future academic pursuits. For further information about the Arrmenian
Higher Education Initiative, please contact Sarah Ludwig, Executive
Director, at [email protected] visit our website at