ARMENIA TREE PROJECT 400 W Cummings Park, Suite 3900 Woburn, MA 01801 Tel: (617) 926-TREE Web: PRESS RELEASE March 31, 2020 ATP Shifts Gears to Present More Online Environmental Education Resources during Crisis By Jason Sohigian Environmental education has been one of Armenia Tree Project's major programs for the past 15 years, so when schools closed and people began following the norms of social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, the organization changed gears quickly. In Armenia and in the Diaspora, ATP had an ambitious agenda of programs and visits scheduled with students, including preparations for diasporan students who were planning to visit Armenia to plant trees with their peers this spring. Within a week, most programs had been cancelled or postponed, so ATP's educators went into action to present new material online. "Many schools introduced web-based distance learning programs during this period and some have struggled with this due to a shortage of resources, so once again ATP stepped in to fill a gap around environmental education," explains Executive Director Jeanmarie Papelian. Impact on Education Programs in Armenia The environmental education department had ambitious plans for spring in Armenia. This included strategy meetings with the youth Eco Clubs initiated by ATP around the country, to plan classes and field trips that would lead to green projects launched in their communities later in the year. "Since the schools are closed and it's currently a challenge to plan these activities with school directors and relevant governmental and local bodies, we decided to use this time to update our existing educational materials," says Environmental Education Manager Kristine Hovsepyan. "Many of these lessons are connected with the Building Bridges youth newsletters on our website, and we began to share them with our partner teachers on a weekly basis." The education team also began developing new lessons. "Our educators in Armenia and in the US sprang into action and are working to put informative and engaging resources in the hands of students and families who are looking for ways to keep kids learning even when the schools are closed," adds Papelian. "We still have a sense of urgency and commitment around these issues which are global and which will be affecting people and planet for years to come, even after the current crisis is under control." Building Bridges Program Engages Diaspora The Building Bridges program was initiated to introduce ATP's environmental education resources to students in the Diaspora, and to help connect diasporans with Armenia around environmental topics. A series of illustrated newsletters were created, as well as a "Kids & Family" tab on the ATP website with resources including videos and lessons. This spring, ATP had a series of visits planned in California and across the East Coast to introduce new Building Bridges material to students, and prepare some of the classes for their upcoming trips to Armenia. When the situation changed, ATP started putting the resources online using email, the website, and social media. "We're going to miss seeing the students in person this spring," notes Community Outreach Manager Anahit Gharibyan. "I was planning to visit more than a dozen schools in California, and our Boston team was planning the same for schools on the East Coast. We thought the next best thing would be to put this material online and get it out to families directly." For the past few weeks, ATP has been sending out a weekly email to its list with educational resources, and these are shared on its Facebook and Instagram pages. These include links to worksheets, environmental facts from ATP's characters like Tchalo the gampr, and tips for coping with social distancing. "We know that everyone is facing the effects of the coronavirus crisis, but we are following through on our commitments to people and the planet," concludes Papelian. "This is why we also appealed to our supporters this spring, in order to keep this work going. As our founder Carolyn Mugar has said before, we are in this for the long-term. After the current crisis passes, we will still be working to reverse the environmental crisis."
Category: 2020
Azerbaijani press: Illegal regime established by Armenia in Azerbaijan’s occupied territories is nothing other than product of aggression
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 31
Trend:
In connection with the so-called “elections” held on 31 March 2020 in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan by the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan states the following:
Against the background of continuing military occupation and ethnic cleansing of the territories of Azerbaijan by Armenia, the holding of so-called “elections” in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan constitutes a clear violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the norms and principles of international law, including the UN Charter, CSCE Helsinki Final Act of 1975 and the related UN Security Council Resolutions and, therefore, shall have no legal effect whatsoever.
The illegal regime established by the Republic of Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is ultimately nothing other than the product of aggression, ethnic cleansing and racial discrimination; it is under Armenia’s direction and control.
The international community has consistently deplored in the strongest terms the use of military force against Azerbaijan and the resulting occupation of its territories. In 1993, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolutions 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993) and 884 (1993), condemning the occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan and reaffirming respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the inviolability of its internationally recognized borders. In those resolutions, the Security Council also confirmed that the Nagorno-Karabakh region is an integral part of Azerbaijan, and demanded the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian occupying forces from all the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Other international organizations have adopted a similar position.
Accordingly, the international community has unequivocally and consistently rejected the previous “elections” shows orchestrated by the Republic of Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, and thus, clearly invalidated whatever pretexts that Armenia cynically uses to justify its overt disrespect to international law, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the human rights of the expelled population of the occupied territories.
Elections in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan may be held only within the Constitutional framework of the Republic of Azerbaijan and full participation of the entire population of the region. Any election will be possible only after the withdrawal of the Armenian occupying forces, return of the expelled Azerbaijani population to their places of origin, and restoration of dialogue and cooperation between the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of the region.
The Ministry reiterates that resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is possible only on the basis of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders. The military occupation of the territory of Azerbaijan does not represent a solution and any attempt to impose fait accompli, including through organizing sham “elections” will never produce a political outcome desired by Armenia, nor will it bring any positive perspective for this country. Azerbaijan will never reconcile with the occupation of its internationally recognized territories.
Turkish press: Former French minister Patrick Devedjian dies from COVID-19 – World News
- March 30 2020 12:07:17
Patrick Devedjian, a former French government minister and a lawyer of the ASALA terrorist organization, has died from COVID-19.
Devedjian on March 26 announced that he was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.
He said that he’d been affected by the epidemic and was able to testify to the exceptional work of the medical staff.
Devedjian was the lawyer of ASALA and played a major role in promoting what the Armenians call 1915 events “genocide.”
The 75-year-old was a former president of the Paris Haut-de-Seine district and a close advisor to former French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Founded in 1975 in Beirut, Lebanon, during the Lebanese Civil War, ASALA blamed JCAG for hundreds of bloody terror acts.
In order to compel the Turkish government “to acknowledge publicly its responsibility for the so-called Armenian genocide in 1915, pay reparations, and cede territory for an ‘Armenian homeland’,” ASALA killed Turkish diplomats in numerous bloody attacks.
These attacks intensified from 1980 to 1983, when 580 of the 699 attacks- over 80 percent -occurred. The terrorist attacks ended in 1986, according to the Armenian Terror study.
Turkish press: Anatolian women’s carpet design motifs researched, registered
- March 30 2020 12:55:00
AA Photo
Motifs that have been designed by women on the world-famous Bünyan and Yahyalı carpets for centuries have been researched by the Kayseri Maturity Institute and their meanings have been registered.
The carpet looms found in almost every house in the Bünyan and Yahyalı districts of the Central Anatolian province of Kayseri have long been forgotten due to the emergence of factory-produced carpets and the greater involvement of women in business life.
A project named “Wedding of Knots” was prepared by the institute in order to register the carpet motifs to the country’s collective memory and to pass them down to the next generations.
A team of six people researched the types of motifs and their meanings in carpets woven in Yahyalı and Bünyan for two years within the scope of the project.
Some 24 motifs were recorded as a result of the research.
History teacher Zühtü Ulusoy, who worked in the research unit of the institute, said that carpet and rug weaving is the national art of Turks.
Ulusoy said that for centuries young girls and women have processed their feelings, thoughts, fears and expectations on the carpets.
Noting that these feelings are sometimes expressed with a tree, sometimes with flowers or a symbol, Ulusoy also stated that they learned that the historical carpets were sold for 200 liras as wood in Bünyan.
Pointing out that Pazırık carpet, known as the oldest carpet in the world, is woven with a Turkish knot, he said that carpet weaving tradition of Turks dates back 2,500 years ago.
“Other nations want to claim this [Pazırık carpet], but the fact that the weavings are Gördes Turkish knot shows that the carpet is Turkish carpet. It is also another indication that the tails of the horses in Pazırık carpet are knotted like in the Turkish ceremony,” he added.
Ulusoy also explained how the carpet motifs that disappeared were immortalized and recorded.
“We took photos from the shopkeepers and the staff in the design graphic section transferred the motifs to the paper. Then the motifs were woven on small carpet looms,” he said.
“The motifs on Yahyalı carpets were transferred from mother to daughter and from memory to memory. Motifs reflect the Yörük Turkmen culture. Weft, loop and everything of Yahyalı carpets are made of pure wool. Yahyalı is a more tight-knit place, so it is not affected by its surroundings in carpet motifs,” he noted.
“Bünyan is a more open region. Here we can see the effect of carpet motifs at that time in Istanbul. There are Armenian carpet weavers who went to the palaces in Istanbul. They somehow transferred the motifs they acquired to Bünyan,” he added.
Ulusoy said that the tree of life motif embroidered on the carpets tells about the long life, the universe and eternity, while the birds embroidered around it express the spirited souls.
The town of Bünyan is most famous for carpets, while Yahyalı is most renowned for rugs.
Rugs woven in finely knotted floral patterns retain a centuries-old tradition and locally produced items can be purchased only from carpet shops in Turkey.
Armenpress: Deputy PM hopes Armenia will return to normal life from mid-April-early May
Deputy PM hopes Armenia will return to normal life from mid-April-early May
18:28, 31 March, 2020
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. The current stage of the fight against the spread of coronavirus is the period of the strictest limitations, which will last until April 14, ARMENPRESS reports Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia, State of Emergency Commandant Tigran Avinyan said at a press conference, presenting the strategy of the Commandant’s Office.
He noted that during this period all possible restrictions on free movement, economic activities will be imposed. ”We will force entrepreneurs to respect safety and sanitary epidemiological regulations, we will add control mechanisms and will apply various penalties and fines”, Avinyan said.
According to him, the next stage is planned after April 14. Avinyan hoped that during that period they will be able to develop tools that will allow to take effective preventive measures.
”Those tools already exist and we are waiting for the bill to be adopted, so as to be able to effectively detect the circle of people who possibly have interacted with the infected people and make sure that the rules of self-insulation are strictly respected”, the Deputy PM said.
State of Emergency Commandant Tigran Avinyan hoped that Armenia will return to normal life after mid-April-early May, if they are able to perfectly implement all the preventive measures.
The total cumulative number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Armenia is 532. With 31 recoveries and 3 fatalities, 498 are active cases.
On March 16 Armenia declared a 30-day state of emergency to fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state of emergency is effective until April 14, at 17:00.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
Armenpress: Donations for Armenia anti-coronavirus efforts reach nearly over 813 million AMD
Donations for Armenia anti-coronavirus efforts reach nearly over 813 million AMD
20:20, 31 March, 2020
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. A total of 813 million 144 thousand drams has been donated to the Armenian Government for its anti-coronavirus efforts, the government said.
ARMENPRESS reports the treasury account (900005001947) was opened on March 17th for citizens and organizations willing to make donations.
The government said a total of 3051 payments were made since.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
Armenpress: FM Mnatsakanyan thanks USA for supporting Armenia in fighting coronavirus
FM Mnatsakanyan thanks USA for supporting Armenia in fighting coronavirus
21:10, 31 March, 2020
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. At the initiative of the American side, Foreign minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan had a phone conversation with Acting Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia.
The interlocutors exchanged views on the challenges rising from the spread of the novel coronavirus and measures aimed at overcoming them, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and coordination of efforts. In this context Zohrab Mnatsakanyan expressed gratitude to the US Government for providing Armenia with financial assistance for fighting against coronavirus.
FM Mnatsakanyan expressed solidarity with the US Government in its fight against the novel coronavirus.
At the request of Philip Reeker, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan presented the situation following the armed incident on Armenia-Azerbaijan border yesterday.
At the end of the conversation the sides emphasized their readiness to take active steps for expanding the Armenian-US cooperation agenda.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
Artsakh heads to polling stations to elect new president and parliament
08:02, 31 March, 2020
STEPANAKERT, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. Citizens of Artsakh are heading to polling stations to elect a new president and parliament.
281 polling stations are opened in Artsakh.
Citizens and diplomats of Artsakh who are currently in Armenia can vote at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Artsakh office in Yerevan.
14 candidates are running for the Artsakh presidency: Kristin Balayan, Vitaly Balasanyan, Sergey Amiryan, David Babayan, Bela Lalayan, Arayik Harutyunyan, Hayk Khanumyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Vahan Badasyan, Masis Mayilyan, Ashot Ghoulian, Ruslan Israyelyan, Ashot Dadayan and Melsik Poghosyan.
12 political parties are running for parliament:
1)National Revival
2) United Fatherland
3) Independence Generation
4)ARF
5) Revolutionary Party of Artsakh
6) Free Fatherland bloc
7) Justice Party
8) Democratic Party of Artsakh
9) Unified Armenia Party
10) Conservative Party of Artsakh
11) Communist Party of Nagorno Karabakh
12) New Artsakh bloc
According to official estimates 103,663 citizens are eligible to vote.
963 observers will monitor the elections, and 231 journalists will cover the polls.
A March 19 survey had said that former State Minister Arayik Harutyunyan is the leading candidate in the upcoming presidential elections in Artsakh. Harutyunyan, a former PM of Artsakh, is running for office backed by his Free Fatherland party. 22% of respondents had said they will vote for FM Masis Mayilyan, running as an independent candidate.
8% said they favor Vitaly Balasanyan (Justice Party), while 4% said they will vote for Speaker Ashot Ghoulian (Democratic Party of Artsakh)
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
Australian chess player Arianne Caoili, 33, dies in Yerevan two weeks after car crash
01:37, 31 March, 2020
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. Filipino-born Australian chess player Arianne Caoili has died at the age of 33 in Yerevan, Armenia, two weeks after being seriously injured in a car crash.
The cause of death wasn’t immediately available.
Caoili’s husband, the Armenian chess grandmaster Levon Aronian, tweeted: “I have no words to express the grievance over my wife Arianne’s death. She was intelligent , hard working and joyous person that lived a beautiful life…
I love you honeybun, sleep tight”.
Many renowned chess players from all over the world, namely Magnus Carlsen and Anish Giri, expressed condolences to Aronian.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
14-year-old Armenian child wounded by Azerbaijani shooting in Tavush province transported to Yerevan
10:08, 31 March, 2020
YEREVAN, MARCH 30, ARMENPRESS. 14-year-old child wounded by the Azerbaijani shooting fired at the direction of Armenia’s Tavush province has been transported to Yerevan’s St. Mary hospital, assistant to the PR manager at the medical center Gevorg Derdzyan said on Facebook.
“The child is in stable, but serious condition and is in intensive care unit. The latter received a gunshot wound to the chest. The necessary first aid has been provided. The child underwent a surgery in Noyemberyan’s medical center. Additional information will be provided later”, Derdzyan said.
On March 30, at around 19:00-19:30, the Azerbaijani forces fired shots from various caliber weapons at Armenia’s military positions located in Noyemberyan town of Tavush province, as well as at the direction of Baghanis and Voskevan villages.
2 soldiers and 14-year-old child from Voskevan village have been injured from the Azerbaijani shooting.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan