Author: Maral Chavushian

OSCE Office holds anti-trafficking training in Armenia
Source:OSCE
YEREVAN, 29 June 2004 – A three-day training session on human trafficking
started today in Yerevan for experts and interviewers from two local
non-governmental organizations that are carrying out a survey on trafficking
in Armenia. The training is organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and
funded by the US State Department.
The training session will concentrate on best practices in research on
trafficking in human beings and will also include a session on the
methodology of a train-the-trainers component. The two local NGOs conducting
the survey are the Armenian Sociological Association and the Armenian Relief
Society.
“There is disturbing anecdotal evidence that Armenia is both a country of
origin and transit for trafficked human beings, but there is no actual data
about the scope of the problem,” said Blanka Hancilova, the OSCE Office’s
Democratization Officer.
“The objective of the NGO survey, which is the most comprehensive one so far
conducted in Armenia, is to close this gap. The information gained will be
shared with the Armenian authorities, civil society and international
organizations and should serve as a basis for policy decisions on the
issue,” she said.
As part of its anti-trafficking strategy, the OSCE Office has supported the
development of a National Plan of Action for the prevention of trafficking
in persons and organized several seminars on the issue.
At present a team of national experts is working on analyzing gaps in the
existing legal framework, with special emphasis on victim and witness
protection. An international expert from the Italian Prosecutor’s Office
will join the team in September to share international best practices in
dealing effectively with trafficking, corruption and organized crime.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Communications Officer
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
June 24, 2004
___________________
Week of June 18 to June 24, 2004
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ASP PARTICIPANTS HEAD TO ARMENIA
Participants in this year’s Armenia Service Program (ASP), organized by
the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA), headed to
Armenia on Tuesday (6/22), after a day of orientation and team-building
exercises at the Diocesan Center in New York City. While in Armenia,
the group of 26 young people from throughout the Diocese will serve as
counselors at a summer camp for needy children, and tour the country,
deepening their understanding of their faith and heritage. For updates
on the group in Armenia, and to learn more about the Armenia Service
Program, click to our website:
;selmonth=6&sel
year04
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 6/22/04)
* * *
ARMENIAN OF THE YEAR HONORED WITH MEDAL OF FREEDOM
On Wednesday (6/23), President George Bush awarded the “Presidential
Medal of Freedom” to Dr. Vartan Gregorian. The medal is the nation’s
highest civilian award. Dr. Gregorian is the president of the Carnegie
Foundation and past president of Brown University and the New York
Public Library. Earlier this year, Dr. Gregorian was also the recipient
of the Eastern Diocese’s “Armenian of the Year Award,” during the 2004
Diocesan Assembly.
Dr. Gregorian was one of 13 people awarded the presidential medal during
the ceremony at the White House. Also receiving the award were such
luminaries as Pope John Paul II, entertainers Rita Moreno and Doris Day,
the late cosmetics entrepreneur Estee Lauder, golf legend Arnold Palmer,
the long-time editor of Commentary magazine, Norman Podhoretz, and
former Republican Senator from Massachusetts Edward Brooke, who in 1966
became the first African-American senator to be elected by popular vote.
To learn more about Dr. Gregorian, click to our website:
(Source: The New York Sun, 6/24/04)
* * *
CLICK TO OUR CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Today (6/24) from noon to 3 p.m., the St. Vartan Cathedral Avaks group
is hosting a picnic for the public on the Cathedral plaza. You can
learn about this, and many more exciting events around the Diocese, by
clicking to our website’s Calendar of Events:
If your parish is having an event, get it listed for free by e-mailing
the information to [email protected].
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 6/24/04)
* * *
FIND THE PERFECT GIFTS ONLINE
You can find perfect gifts for any loved one by going to the St. Vartan
Bookstore website, Shopping online is safe,
easy, and quick.
Go to for great gifts for art lovers, young
readers, musicians, historians, cooks, and people proud to be Armenian.
New items are added to the online inventory every week.
For simple, secure, and speedy ordering, click to the St. Vartan
Bookstore today:
(Source: , 6/24/04)
* * *
COME TO THE ARARAT CENTER CONSECRATION, OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY, JULY 24
Every Armenian is invited to attend an open house and consecration on
Saturday, July 24, the last day of St. Vartan Camp. The day of free
food, live music, and fun will run from noon to 5 p.m. Archbishop
Barsamian will consecrate the land at 2 p.m. The event is free, and
open to the public.
RSVP by July 10, by e-mailing [email protected] or calling (212)
686-0710 ext. 43.
(Source: Ararat Youth and Conference Center, 6/24/04)
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress