Category: 2020

The Republic of Armenia’s Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs is proud to launch “iGorts,” an unprecedented program which invites Diaspora Armenian professionals to work in Armenia’s state institutions.

Within the framework of the program, Diaspora Armenian professionals and specialists will be placed in State agencies in need of their expertise and will have the opportunity to lend their experience and knowledge toward improving and developing the state institution and its policies and programs.

If you have a master’s degree or higher and are willing to live and work in Armenia for one year then this program is for you.

Program costs for the participants will be covered by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, in the form of a round-trip air ticket, and monthly fee to cover living expenses.

The program will begin on July 1 and last 12 months. Applications are now open, and individuals are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is April 6.

If you have any questions, please call +374 60 500 301, send an email to [email protected], or visit the website.

BY TALINE JERMAKIAN

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation “Armen Karo” Gomideh, in cooperation with Orange County’s Armenian Youth Federation “Ashod Yergat” Chapter, ran a full day seminar about Artsakh. The seminar, which was held on Saturday, March 7, was open to the community with a focus on reaching out to the youth.

The discussion surrounding Artsakh was broken up into two parts. The first session, led by Professor Dr. Garabet Moumdjian, focused on the history and geopolitics of Armenia and Artsakh. The second session, led by Armenian National Committee of America Chair Raffi Hamparian, concentrated on Hye Tad’s goals while outlining the activist approach for the region.

The day began at 10:30 am with registration and breakfast. Karine Codilian of AYF “Ashod Yergat” introduced Dr. Moumdjian who led a discussion with visuals regarding the history and geopolitics of the Armenian territory. With a history that spans centuries, the information put into light the significance of the area to the Armenian people. Dr. Moumdjian asked questions along the way that encouraged critical thinking and sparked a conversation about how history of Armenian territory should be a staple subject taught to our youth. This in turn better prepares them for the activist role down the road.

After a light lunch, ARF “Armen Karo” Gomideh member Taline Jermakian addressed attendees. “A quote we are all familiar with by the great leader and advocate of all Armenians Karekin Njteh states, ‘If you want to see the future of a nation, look to its youth,’” she said. “An educated youth, is an empowered youth. An empowered youth brings forth activism. Activism brings forth progress and change. With progress and change; all things are possible. And right now, Artsakh – the topic of today’s educationals – need us to be empowered, active, protective, and the voice of progress.”

“The Armen Karo Gomideh thanks our guest speakers today, Garo Moumdjian and Raffi Hamparian. We thank all our attendees for being here on their Saturday. We thank the OC AYF who worked side by side with the Gomideh facilitating this event and we hope to continue these events together in the future,” concluded Jermakian.

Up next, Raffi Hamparian took the stage to discuss the work of the ANCA relating to the Armenian Cause and specifically relating to Artsakh. Between political alliances, PR methods, internship programs, the Halo Trust, and other intuitive means, the ANCA – along with ANC organizations around the world – collectively work on the ground level to protect our country. The work requires due diligence and thick skin. It requires the Armenian youth to be actively engaged with the needs of their communities but also with the needs of their homeland. The ANCA provides many avenues of assistance to the Armenian youth to prepare them for this role in order to continue to support and one day attain a Free, Independent, and UNITED Armenia. Hamparian ended the session with a Q&A session which thoroughly explained the thought processes behind many of the works of the ANCA.

The educational event ended with a dinner gathering where conversations continued and community bonds flourished. The ARF Armen Karo Gomideh and AYF Ashod Yergat Chapter look forward to continuing the educational series for years to come.

LOS ANGELES—Working closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia and the Ministry of Health, Armenia Fund USA, Chevy Chase Surgery Center, and the Armenian Relief Society joined forces and quickly assembled relevant medical supplies and resources to help boost Armenia’s response to the global pandemic of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus.

Thanks to the valuable input and advice of clinicians and experts assembled by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, and given the entities’ prior partnerships and working relationship Armenia Fund USA and Chevy Chase Surgery Center, were able to quickly acquire these supplies, despite facing supply-chain challenges and availability in the United States. The items were all palletized and loaded onto an aircraft in Los Angeles and immediately sent to Armenia and Artsakh.

Armenia Fund USA’s partner in Yerevan, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, also played a critical role in ensuring the proper arrival, clearance, and dissemination of the supplies. Using its well-experienced, on-the-ground support, the Fund worked closely with government bodies in ensuring the supplies reach their intended destinations and areas of immediate need.

Principals of the Chevy Chase Surgery Center, Dr. Avedis Tavitian and Drs. Ara and Armineh Tavitian were quick to support the efforts, allocating time, staff, and resources for the quick deployments of supplies to Armenia. The Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation financially participated in the effort through their generous support.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to our partners and friends at the Chevy Chase Surgery Center and the ARS, who quickly responded to our call for assistance and promptly put together much needed supplies to help the Republic of Armenia’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Staying true to its mission, Armenia Fund USA continues to bring Armenian communities across the United States together with one mission and that is to help serve Armenia and Artsakh,” stated Armenia Fund USA President, Maria Mehranian.

Raffi Sarkissian, Administrator of the Chevy Chase Surgery Center played an important role in obtaining the supplies from key distributors and suppliers in the United States. “Armenia Fund USA, Chevy Chase Surgery Center, and the ARS acted as a rapid reaction force in helping Armenia and Artsakh with much needed supplies, in light of the uncertainties with this global crisis. Whether in Los Angeles or in any part of the globe, we stand ready to help Armenia and Artsakh. I would like to personally commend the quick, professional response of the Ministry of Health of Armenia,” stated Raffi Sarkissian.

The one ton of supplies included items sourced per U.S. CDC and WHO guidelines. The items will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by providing Armenian healthcare clinicians the necessary screening tools and items whether in Armenia or in borderline areas.