Author: nina hovnanian

ABMDR Walkathon Marked By Strong Youth Participation, Fresh Support For Research

Friday, November 16th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor

A scene from the ABMDR Walkathon

L.A. Armenian schools, organizations, and student associations walk
for life-saving mission

LOS ANGELES – On Saturday, October 20, hundreds of Angelenos took part
in Walk of Life 2012, the seventh annual walkathon of the Armenian
Bone Marrow Donor Registry.

The highly anticipated event drew strong youth participation, with
teams from several area Armenian schools, organizations, student
associations, and youth clubs in attendance. Also participating were
several dignitaries, including elected officials and community
leaders.

A 6-K walk-run event, Walk of Life helped raise awareness of health
issues while raising funds for vital research in immunogenetics, in
the ongoing quest to match bone marrow donors with patients suffering
from life-threatening blood-related illnesses worldwide.

Walk of Life kicked off with a festive opening ceremony at the plaza
of Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, in Glendale. In her
opening remarks, Walkathon Committee co-chair Dr. Stella Baghdasarian
said, `With your presence here today, all of you not only give us the
strength and determination to continue our quest to find donor matches
for our patients, but, most importantly, to show them that they’re not
alone in their fight for their lives.’

Dr. Baghdasarian acknowledged the presence of the event’s Honorary
Chairpersons and their representatives, including Prelate Moushegh
Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy, Primate Hovnan Derderian of the
Western Diocese, Minister Joseph D. Matossian of the Armenian
Evangelical Union of North America, Armenian Consul General Grigor
Hovhannisyan, Congressman Adam Schiff, State Senator Carol Liu, State
Assembly member Mike Gatto, Los Angeles Supervisor Michael Antonovich,
Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero, Burbank Mayor Dave Golonski, Glendale
City Council member Laura Friedman, and Glendale Unified School
District President Greg Krikorian.

Dr. Baghdasarian conveyed special gratitude to Glendale Memorial, a
Lifetime Supporter of ABMDR, and the hospital’s vice-president of
Business Development, David Mauss.

On her part, Walkathon Committee co-chair Dr. Karoline Rostamian
thanked the numerous Armenian youth teams from Armenian schools and
universities, as well as the AGBU, AYF, and ACYO, for their volunteer
work and participation in the event. Dr. Rostamian also acknowledged
the continued support of the US Army Armenian Veterans before inviting
Dr. Frieda Jordan, president of ABMDR, to the podium.

`With every step that you’ll be taking today, you’ll give new hope to
a patient who is desperately seeking a life-saving bone marrow
transplant,’ Dr. Jordan said. `It’s thanks to all of you that ABMDR
continues to grow strong. I would like to thank Glendale Memorial
Hospital, without whose crucial support our work would not have been
possible. Glendale Memorial has sponsored Walk of Life for the past
seven years, and supported our various projects for the past 12
years.’

Next Dr. Jordan introduced Peter, a former cancer patient who has
undergone a bone marrow transplant through an ABMDR donor match.
Following Peter’s inspirational remarks, Dr. Jordan invited Glendale
Mayor and longtime ABMDR supporter Frank Quintero to address the
audience.

Quintero, who has visited Armenia and witnessed first-hand the work of
registry at its Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Yerevan, said, `From
the moment I met Dr. Jordan some years ago, I knew she was on a
life-saving crusade and we all had to get onboard. There’s no
substitute for what we’re doing here today: which is to raise money
for research, and reaffirm our commitment to healthy living and
wellness.’

Among the walkathon participants, many of whom are registered with
ABMDR as potential bone marrow donors, was Lucinee Nazerian, a young
woman recently identified as a matched donor for a patient in
Australia. `Right now I’m waiting for the final go-ahead, and very
much looking forward to being of help to this patient,’ Nazerian said.

The invocation of the walkathon was performed by Father Vazken
Atmajian, representing the Prelacy; fathers Mampre Kesabyan and
Haroutioun Tachejian, representing the Diocese; and Minister Joseph D.
Matossian.

The walkathon was preceded by an energetic warm-up session led by a
team from Total Woman. Subsequently the hundreds of participants
embarked on the walkathon, looping along a city trajectory that passed
by the Armenian Consulate on the corner of Central Avenue and
Lexington Boulevard. Consul General Grigor Hovhannisyan, another
longtime supporter of ABMDR, warmly saluted the procession.

The walk concluded at the Glendale Memorial plaza, where the community
celebration, featuring food, music, and dance, continued into the
afternoon. At this time, participants had the opportunity to join the
ranks of ABMDR at volunteer-staffed information and recruitment tents.

The program included an awards ceremony. The Kaloostian Family Team
(comprising Dr. William Kaloostian, father; and siblings and doctors
Carolyn, Paul, and Shane) was awarded for having raised the most
funds. The Kaloostian Family Team had joined the walkathon in memory
of wife and mother Dr. Aida Shirinian Kaloostian, who was a major
ABMDR supporter as well as a member of its Board. For the second year
in a row, the Chamlian School Team received a trophy for having the
highest number of participants, and Glendale Memorial Hospital was
awarded for being the major sponsor of Walk of Life for the past seven
years. Rima Matevosian accepted the award on behalf of the hospital.

About the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry: Established in 1999,
ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians worldwide survive
life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching
donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date,
the registry has recruited over 22,000 donors in 16 countries across
four continents, identified 2,135 patients, and facilitated 13 bone
marrow transplants.

The President of Armenia is interested in promotion of European values
and mechanisms which can contribute to the establishment of solid
economic, political, and person-to-person relations between Armenia
and the EU

ArmInfo’s interview with Gayane Novikova, Director of the Center for
Strategic Analysis, Yerevan, Armenia, Visiting Scholar at the Davis
Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University

by David Stepanyan

Saturday, November 17, 12:37

On November 12, 2012, Claude Bartolone, the President of the National
Assembly of France during the official visit of the President of
Armenia in Paris, stated that in France they evaluated highly the
activity of Serzh Sargsyan aimed toward European integration of
Armenia. In your opinion, does a Western- style “renovation” exist in
reality?

There is no univalent answer to this question. The President of
Armenia is interested in promotion of European values and mechanisms
which can contribute to the establishment of solid economic,
political, and person-to-person relations between Armenia and the
European states and institutions, including the European Union.
However, European integration is a long, difficult, and painful
process, which requires in-depth economic, legislative, and
humanitarian reforms. This means that a long period of time will pass
before visible and tangible results – in particular in the human
rights area and especially in the unresolved conflict arena – will
appear. Several other factors also should be kept in mind. First, the
European Union supports the programs which are prioritized by the
partner state. In the case of Armenia these programs focus upon
state-building reforms that rely upon a long-term perspective and are
not very visible to most people. Second, the evaluation of the results
should be based upon the depth and orientation of the reforms. Third,
presently we are not discussing Armenia’s EU membership, but creation
of acceptable frameworks and procedures for a durable and progressive
partnership. Of course, there is also a whitewash, covered by the
phrase “certain progress has been made.” However, the EU has relevant
punishment mechanisms. As an example I would like to remind you of the
EU decision not to hold the donor conference to help Armenia to
overcome the aftermath of the world economic crisis. Thus, a
constellation of such factors contests the view that viable reforms
are occurring along a linear pathway..

Previously President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan blamed the
international community in implying that a double-standards exists in
regard to the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict . He
referred to the Kosovo example. Now changes have occurred.. What
reason pushed Armenia to change its position?

Of course there are double-standards, defined by the interests of
direct and indirect parties to the conflict. The authors of the
so-called Kosovo model assumed that it cannot be considered and used
as a precedent for the resolution of other ethno-political and
territorial conflicts. However, Russia directly implemented this model
in the Abkhazian and South Ossetian conflicts. Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh also applied it, even while emphasizing that significant
differences exist between the Nagorno Karabakh and Kosovo conflicts.
One of these differences is the following: the violence close to the
center of Europe was stopped by direct NATO military intervention
followed by a peacekeeping operation. These steps did not resolve the
conflict but made it more manageable.

Currently against the background of an increasingly aggressive
rhetoric by the Azerbaijani leadership and its sharp critique of the
OSCE Minsk Group for its “uselessness,” the deployment of peacekeepers
in the area of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict could be considered as
rational. However, there are several important factors that speak
against doing so:

– there is no single conflict involving strong ethnic and territorial
components where the deployment of peacekeepers brought sustained
peace;

– there is no apparent interest by external actors to resikve the NK conflict;

– there are no guarantees in regard to the actions of peacekeepers in
the event of a sharp escalation of the conflict (not to mention that
the absence of a peace agreement between the parties to the conflict
constitutes a precondition for the peacekeeping operation).

Developments in the area of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict are unique
because a cease-fire was achieved by the direct parties to the
conflict and it remains in place without external involvement. Under
these conditions a potential exists to resolve the conflict in spite
of Azerbaijani provocations and the double-standard approaches of the
general international community. I am sure that Armenia and the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic should insist upon a continuation of
negotiations.

The legislative body of the New South Wales, the biggest Australian
state, adopted by a solid vote a resolution that recognized the
Nagorno Karabakh republic and its right to self-determination. Earlier
roughly the same resolutions were adopted by two U.S. states: Rhode
Island and Massachusetts. In your opinion, what kind of trend is
indicated by this international process?

I would call the range of events you have listed “an overture” to
international recognition of the NKR, which is in line with the
observable process of establishing new state entities, not only in
Africa (South Sudan). Against the background of discussions in regard
to the independence of Flandreau, Catalonia, and Scotland from,
respectively, Belgium, Spain, and the United Kingdom and two referenda
on the separation of Quebec from Canada (it is worth mentioning that
all are quite prosperous and relatively stable states), the
possibility to change NKR status from de facto to a de jure state is
not perceived as something strongly negative. After twenty years of a
de facto existence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, and especially
against the background of developments in Azerbaijan, as well as very
serious geopolitical shifts—all of these factors facilitate a
transformation of the discussions on the NKR’s independence from the
theoretical to the practical level. These same factors account for the
very predictable nervous reaction of Azerbaijan, and this will
intensify.

What kind of geopolitical shifts can provoke in the region an actual
change of power in Georgia, taking into consideration its geographic
location between Russia, Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan?

I would not exaggerate the significance and effects of a power change
in Georgia. I don’t see any signals of a sharp change in its foreign
policy. It is obvious that Russian-Georgian relations will shift from
a hysterical level to a more pragmatic level. However, comprehensive
normalization is still far away. The new leadership offers a quite
acceptable partner for the West, as well as for Azerbaijan and Turkey
(although with some reservations).

Paata Zakareishvili, the Georgian State Minister for Reintegration,
commenting on negative statements from Baku in regard to the
possibility of the restoration of railway service through Abkhazia,
stated: “Georgia is not going to sacrifice its interests in favor of
others.” Taking into consideration that it is still unclear what
benefits Georgia itself will receive, does this project have a chance
of success?

There is a significant difference between “to state” and “to do.”
Zakareishvili’s proposal is a clear claim to create projects which
could serve as alternatives to Russia’s initiatives. It will allow an
expansion of contacts between representatives of Georgia and Abkhazia
and initiate the establishment — or rebuilding – of
confidence-building measures, also through an activation of economic
ties. Furthermore, it will unequivocally increase the international
prestige of the newly-elected leadership of Georgia, which has stated
its willingness to collaborate with the Abkhazian side without
political preconditions. From this viewpoint the project offers direct
benefits for Georgia. The question is whether Georgia possesses the
adequately strong political will and power to withstand Azerbaijani
pressure, which as its strategic partner can not only put economic
pressure upon Georgia, but also provoke some disturbances in
Kvemo-Kartli, for example.

It is necessary to stress also that the opening of the railroad will
first of all strengthen Russia’s position in the South Caucasus. In
light of unsettled Russian-Georgian relations it is dangerous for
Georgia itself.

Some experts consider the process of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement as
a problem of global security. In your opinion, what is the Zurich
process nowadays?

I don’t think that the settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations is a
priority for Turkey taking into consideration current shifts in global
security, linked first of all to developments in the Middle East and
North Africa, as well as to internal and external problems faced by
this regional power. The Zurich process was initially viewed as a
mechanism to bridge a break in bilateral Armenian-Turkish relations;
however, it gradually lost its potential (founded on the principle
that the development of good-neighbourly relations is always a
positive goal). Re-animation of this process is from my viewpoint not
only absolutely meaningless, but also dangerous. It is necessary to
look for other frameworks and formats, and to consider “Zurich” as a
declaration of intention and nothing more.

Green for Blue: Government orders planting forest around Lake Sevan

ENVIRONMENT | 16.11.12 | 13:34

The Armenian government decided on Thursday that trees will be planted
in a 1,100-hectare area to create a forest around the Sevan National
Park till 2023.

According to the project submitted by the Ministry of Nature
Protection, it is scheduled to plant vegetable seed trees and shrubs.
Around 700 hectares of forest will cover Vardenis, Martuni, Vardenik,
Noratus areas, and the rest will cover the non-used agricultural land
areas owned by Shorzha, Litchq, Tsovak and other communities in the
administrative territory of Gavar Town. In case of favorable
conditions, high-value fruit-bearing forest trees are expected to be
planted as well.

Gegharqunik province is one of Armenia’s least-forest-covered regions,
with a mere 3 percent of forests. The program funding for 2014-2023 is
planned to be carried out at the expense of the state budget, Lake
Sevan Recovery, Preservation and Development Fund sponsored by the
government.

Uruguay has no official position in Nagorno Karabakh issue, country’s
senior official says

TERT.AM
16:05 – 17.11.12

The Eastern Republic of Uruguay does not yet have an official position
over Nagorno Karabakh issue, chairman of Uruguay’s House of
Representatives George Oriko said at the meeting with Yerevan State
University students today.

`Our state is interested in cooperation and promotion of peace
process. The Nagorno Karabakh recognition issue must be solved by
diplomatic establishments. It should be done in a peaceful way,
without shedding blood,’ Oriko said.

Uruguay was the first country of the world to officially recognize the
Armenian Genocide, giving start to the process of condemnation of the
worst crime against humanity.

Welcoming the top official, rector of the Yerevan State University
Aram Simonyan said Armenia always remembers that Uruguay was the first
to recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide and voiced hope that
one day they will recognize the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as well.

`It will be a big step toward the international recognition and will
come to prove that each nation has a right to self-determination,’
Simonyan said.

George Oriko briefed to the students and professor staff of the
university about Uruguay, stressing that he considers their country a
succeeded democratic state.

Prelacy Armenian Schools’ Annual Professional Development Day A Success!

Friday, November 16th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor

A scene from the professional development day

The Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools held its Annual
Professional Development Day (APDD) on Friday, November 9, 2012, at
Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian School.

The seminar was attended by all the Prelacy Armenian School
administrators, teachers, and staff. With the invitation of the Board
of Regents, also in attendance were the faculty and staff of the
following Armenian schools in Los Angeles: Charlotte & Elise Merdinian
Armenian Evangelical School and TCA Arshag Dikranian Armenian School,
with their entire faculty; teachers and representatives from AGBU
Manoogian Demirjian Armenian School, Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian
Armenian School, Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School, and ARS
Saturday Schools. A total of 378 educators were in attendance.

Hovan Tashjian, Executive Director of the Board of Regents, commenced
the seminar by welcoming all the attendees. After the Armenian and
American pledges, the Board of Regents Co-Chair Maggie Sarkuni
addressed the attendees. Mrs. Sarkuni expressed her appreciation to
all the educators who were present at the seminar, and emphasized the
importance of professional development in order to stay up to date
with all the advancements in this fast-changing field. On behalf of
the Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools Mrs. Sarkuni thanked
the administration and the School Board of Holy Martyrs Ferrahian
Armenian School for hosting the Annual Professional Development Day.
Houri Arslanian Keuroghlian, Board of Regents member, presented the
day’s agenda and provided a general overview of the scheduled sessions
and their presenters.

The agenda of the day was divided into three sessions.

After the official opening of the day, Dr. Katherine
Fundukian-Thorossian, assistant superintendent of educational services
at Glendale Unified School District, delivered the keynote address,
titled `Celebrating Traditional Values; Promoting 21st Century Skills’
to all participants. Dr. Fundukian-Thorossian, having been a graduate
of Mesrobian Armenian School, is well aware and well informed about
the state of Armenian Schools, as well as the challenges facing our
students in regards to their identity. With personal and real life
examples, she discussed in detail the current challenges teachers are
facing. Dr. Fundukian-Thorossian reflected on the significance of
educational traditions and the importance to keep up to date with the
advancement and innovations of the 21st century.

Following the keynote address, was the second session designated to a
special workshop, during which Lisa Reed, assistant principal at
GUSD’s Crescenta Valley High School, presented `Introduction to Common
Core State Standards.’ This session was geared for Kindergarten
through 12th grade educators. Mrs. Reed gave a brief overview of the
new Common Core State Standards and their impact on instruction in
California, the urgency of the Common Core Standards, what students
must know and be able to do and how the Common Core should be
implemented in schools.

At the same time, during the second session, the Preschool teachers
participated in a special workshop during which Dr. Onnik Hayrapetian,
Professor at Mashdots College, presented `The History of the Armenian
Language and Orthography.’

This year a special workshop was organized for Physical Education
teachers and coaches. The workshop was separated into two sessions.
During the second session of the APDD, Craig Impelman and Lynn Guerin
presented the first part of the `Wooden Way’ Team Course, which was
based on the values, principles, wisdom, and life lessons of legendary
UCLA basketball coach and teacher, John Robert Wooden. The Wooden Team
held the second part of their training immediately following the lunch
break. This part of the training was a hands-on workshop held in the
basketball gymnasium, where the Physical Education teachers and
coaches were given the opportunity to work on the application of Coach
Wooden’s approach and philosophy through role playing exercises to
apply to everyday coaching and teaching.

Following the lunch break, the third and final session included eleven
workshops, during which the following topics were presented:

`HR/The Role of the Principal to Improve Teacher Performance.’ The
presenter, Dr. Pedro Garcia is a Professor of Clinical Education at
USC’s Rossier School of Education. This session was organized for all
school principals, preschool directors, vice-principals, and academic
directors.
`Assessment in the Era of Common Core State Standards.’ The presenter
Dr. Marine Avagyan is the Coordinator of Curriculum and Special
Projects in Glendale Unified School District.
`Incorporating Critical Thinking into Instruction’ presented by Lisa
Reed, Assistant Principal at GUSD’s Crescenta Valley High School .
`Characteristics of Learning Disabilities and Strategies.’ This
session was presented by Corky O’Rourke, Private School Coordinator
for Foothill SELPA.
`Comprehending Expository Text Chapters by Using Specific Strategies.’
The presenter, Dr. Janice Pilgreen, is the Program Chair of Reading
and a professor of literacy education for candidates in the graduate
reading program at University of La Verne.
`Teaching History and The Common Core Standards’ was presented by Dr.
Lisa Hutton, an Associate Professor in the School of Education at
California State University, Dominguez Hills, and the director of the
California History-Social Science Project at Dominguez Hills.
`Teaching Scientific Inquiry Using the Inverted Classroom Model.’ The
presenter Dr. Paul Narguizian, is an associate professor of biological
sciences and science education at California State University, Los
Angeles.
`Your First Step into the Common Core Standards For Math’ was
presented by Matt Hamo, a Mathematics teacher in the Glendale Unified
School District.
`Integrating Technology into the Armenian Classroom.’ The presenter,
Saro Nazarian, is a teacher and Armenian Department Chairperson at
Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School. This workshop was
designated to Armenian subject teachers.
The `Wooden Way’ Course was led by Craig Impelman and Lynn Guerin. As
previously mentioned, Physical Education teachers and coaches
participated in this two-session workshop.
`The comparison and distinction of Eastern and Western Armenian.’ The
presenter, Dr. Onnik Hayrapetian, is a Professor at Mashdots College.
This session was organized for all Preschool teachers.

The Borad of Regents announced that this year’s one-day seminar was a
great success. The Annual Professional Development Day has become a
yearly tradition during which our teachers have the opportunity to
attend educational workshops presented by professional lecturers.
These workshops are designed to further advance the educational
knowledge of the participants, while expanding their horizons with
innovative and new educational approaches.

The Annual Professional Development Day organized by the Board of
Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools also serves as a unique
opportunity for educators of Armenian Schools to come together, get
acquainted with one another, and share their experiences and
expertise.

No contradiction between CIS, EurAsEC and EU, Armenian PM says

armradio.am
15:27 17.11.2012

`Armenia is interested in the integration processes taking place
within the framework of the CIS and EurAsEC,’ Armenian Prime Minister
Tigarn Sarsgyan said at the meeting with members of the Club of
Editors-in-Chief of the CIS, Baltic States and Georgia.

`It was noted during the latest meeting of the Presidents of Armenia
and Russia that special mechanisms of cooperation between Armenia and
the Tax Union should be developed, taking into consideration that our
country has no shared border with it,’ Tigran Sargsyan said.

At the same time, the Prime Minister stressed that Armenia is
interested in the integration processes within the framework of the
European Union, as well. `There should be no contradiction between the
integration processes taking place inside the CIS, EurAsEC and EU,
they should be viewed as relations supplementing each other. We are
interested in European integration and the Agreement on the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Area is of primary importance to us today.
The talks started in February of the current year and are expected to
be completed by the end of 2013,’ the Prime Minister stated.

Touching upon Armenia’s relations with neighbor countries, Tigran
Sargsyan said `Armenia is interested in the establishment of peace and
security in the region.’ `We respect the decision of the Georgian
people and are ready to cooperate with the new authorities of Georgia.
We are interested in the prosperity of Georgia, as it derives from the
interests of the Armenian people, as well. The relations with Iranare
also important to us,’ he added.

As for Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister said Armenia stands for direct
dialogue with the latter. `The negotiations on the settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh issue are underway within the framework of the OSCE
Minsk Group, and the meetings of the recent years initiated by the
Russian Federation have been very useful. Such meetings help establish
mutual trust, the parties become more predictable for each other. The
negotiations on Nagorno Karabakh have been stalled recently because of
the non-constructive position of Azerbaijan,’ Tigran Sargsyan noted.

Speaking about the Armenian-Turkish relation, the Prime Minister
reminded that Armenia initiated the process of establishment of
diplomatic relations without any preconditions. `The protocols were
signed, but Turkey refused to ratify them, suggesting certain
preconditions. Probably Turkey did not expect Armenia would take the
step. It was unexpected to them. I think this initiative of Armenia
contributed to the raise of Armenia’s international standing as a
reliable partner. The international community has already given its
assessment to the process, the ball is now in the Turkish court,’ OM
Tigran Sargsyan stated.

A Committee of Champions

Friday, November 16th, 2012

The ANCA-Western Region 2012 Banquet Committee

BY PATTYL APOSHIAN KASPARIAN

I’m told character is who you are and what you do when no one is
looking. Maybe. But here’s another thought.

Character is what you are exposed to when everyone is watching-when
every move counts, decisions are ambiguous and temptations are
greatest. In other words, character – for better or for worse – is
what you do and how you act when the going gets tough.

To build and develop character is not easy – especially when it comes to
the non-profit sector. When you volunteer your time, energy and
talent, you are at will. No paycheck. No family ties. No pink slip
or boss to reprimand you. When the water boils, you’re a free agent.
Walk away and don’t look back.

Imagine the character building surrounding the 2012 ANCA-WR Annual
Banquet. Program, honorees, timeline, fundraising, sponsorship, guest
relations and media coupled with history book worthy Presidential,
Congressional and Statewide elections. If any environment can get the
water boiling, this is it!

No need to be a glutton for punishment, but there is a certain
discipline and satisfaction with realizing that choosing the less
convenient and even grueling path pays a higher dividend. To say that
the ANCA-WR office was working over-time this year is an
understatement. In the months leading to the banquet, the ANCA-WR
office was electrifying. Once the elevator doors cracked open, the
energy of the 2nd floor hit hard. It embraced you like a boutique
cardio studio pumped with pure oxygen. Within minutes, you lost track
of time and pending responsibilities and absorbed the natural high of
being a part of a huge victory. For the late comers, the problem
wasn’t finding a legal parking space or a seat at the table- it was
finding a seat period!

As highlighted by the hundreds of Facebook and Instragram posts,
articles and pictures, the Annual Banquet was a huge hit. More than
1,000 guests, supporters and friends celebrated the success of the
ANCA-WR with a grand reception dinner and awards ceremony featuring
activists and community leaders who have maintained an extreme level
of commitment to advance the Armenian Cause.

Excellent program.
Extraordinary honorees.
Energized volunteer force.

The success of the annual banquet belongs to our volunteers. This
year, our committee was 20 volunteers strong. Our volunteers joined
our ANCA family from all walks of life and professions. The team
featured a collective force of experience, skill and knowledge. This
year’s volunteers energized not only the program but galvanized the
jaded veterans.

New ANCA volunteers jumped on board and took ownership of major
projects. From programming to silent auction to database to decor, the
meeting room continuously erupted with passion and talent. As the
weeks passed and friendships formed over lukewarm coffee and stale
peanuts, the tables turned. Novice members would call the old-timers
with progress reports and instructions. I remember the colorful words
I mentally repeated when I was called in to the office on a Friday
night by the newest member of our ANCA family to help with a project.
As I changed into my never-to-be-worn-in-public Roxy sweats and
slipped on my Havaianas, I realized that the measure of success is not
the banquet itself – but the growth and embrace of our most valued
asset – our supporters and friends.

I skipped and jumped into the ANCA-WR office a few minutes past 9:00
p.m. with the energy of an Olympian. I joined three young, beautiful
and fabulous professionals who drove to Glendale in Friday evening
traffic to help OUR organization. Over greasy In-and-Out burgers and
small talk, we worked past midnight and made sure one more item was
crossed off the banquet to-do list. And the list goes on with examples
galore.

So if there is one sure way to develop character, this committee did
it. We set unprecedented records. We received rave review from
Congressional offices, guests and supporters. We informed, educated
and motivated our grassroots to embrace another year of activism in
our region.

We did well!

To my teammates! We live in a world where we all need to multi-task.
We look for ways to make things easier. We identify apps to help us
juggle life. We outsource. We align forces. We laugh. We yell. We
scream. We throw tantrums. We celebrate. We motivate. And at the
end, we reflect on the power of unity, guided by passion and motivated
by our Cause and we realize, once again, that what we do serves a
two-fold purpose- it builds character and builds our future.

One Nation. One Future. One Cause.

Yerevan to host Armenian-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission’s session

YEREVAN, November 16. /ARKA/. Members of the Armenian-Ukrainian
intergovernmental economic cooperation commission will gather on
Monday in Yerevan for a session presided by Tigran Davtyan, Armenian
economy minister, and Dmitry Kolesnikov, head of Ukraine’s state
property management agency, the press office of the Armenian economy
ministry reported today.

The session will be ended in signing a protocol. The commission
co-chairs will speak at a briefing after the session. -0-

Lebanon’s opposition bloc to attend the parliament session to receive
the Armenian President

armradio.am
13:47 17.11.2012

Lebanese Future bloc MP Khaled Zahraman said on Friday that the
opposition March 14 coalition will attend the parliament’s general
session where Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will deliver a speech,
Now Lebanon reports.

`The March 14 coalition still adheres to its stance against the
cabinet. We are attending the parliament session on November 27 to
receive the Armenian president and not to discuss issues related to
the cabinet,’ Zahraman told Free Lebanon radio.

Meanwhile, parliamentary work in Lebanon has been disrupted since the
opposition March 14 coalition announced that it would cut all ties
with the current government, including meetings held by parliamentary
committees to discuss proposals transferred by the cabinet.

THE NEGOTIATIONS ON NKR ISSUE ARE NOT MOVING ON BECAUSE OF AZERBAIJAN’S UNCONSTRUCTIVE POLICY. ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER

19:08, 16 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: Recently the negotiations over
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement are not moving on because of the
unconstructive policy of Azerbaijan which has been noted by everyone.

As Armenpress was informed from the press, informational and public
relations of Armenian government this was noted my Armenian Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan during the meeting with CIS, Baltic and
Georgian chief editors’ club members.

“The negotiating process of NKR conflict settlement is conducted in
the framework of OSCE Minsk Group and bilateral meetings on Russian
initiation which have been organized recently are very useful. Mutual
trust is being formed in a result of such meeting, which makes the
sides more predictable for each other” noted Tigran Sargsyan.

When speaking about Armenian-Turkish relations Armenian Prime Minister
reminded that Armenia accepted the initiation to establish bilateral
diplomatic relations without any preconditions which was welcomed by
USA, Russia and EU.

“The protocols have been signed but Turkey refused validating those
putting forward preconditions. It is possible that Turkey didn’t
expected Armenia behave like this. It was surprising for them. I guess
that this step of Armenia reaffirmed our reputation as a reliable
partner in the international arena. International community has
already estimated our position, now the ball is in Turkey’s field”
stated Tigran Sargsyan.