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Armenian National Committee - Professional Network
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200, Glendale, California 91206
For Immediate Release: August 11, 2006
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| ANC-PN Concludes Second Annual Summer Trip To Armenia |
| YEREVAN, ARMENIA - The Armenian National Committee - Professional Network (ANC-PN) hosted its 2nd Annual summer trip to Armenia this August. Over 20 Armenian American young professionals embarked on a 14 day trip to the Republics of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. The participants began their journey at Zvartnotz International Airport on Saturday, July 15th and spent their days visiting Khor Virab Monastery, Dzidzernagapert, the Madenataran, Yeraplur National Cemetery, Etchmiadzin, Sardarabad, the temple of Garni, Geghard Monastery and Lake Sevan, among other historic places. The participants also toured various museums such as the Erebuni Museum and the National Gallery and attended several academic forums. Five days into their journey to their homeland, the ANC-PN trip participants visited the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's (ARF) Bureau Office, where they attended a lecture delivered by Giro Manoyan, Director of ARF Bureau's Central Hai Tahd Office. Manoyan touched on number of topics, including the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2007 and the presidential election in 2008, challenges facing Nagorno-Karabagh, the status of Turkish- Armenian relations and the current situation in Javakhk. Following the lecture, the group arrived at the National Assembly, where they toured the chambers of the Parliament and met with Vahan Hovanissian, National Assembly Vice-Speaker and ARF Bureau member and Armen Rustamian, ARF Armenia Supreme Body Representative and Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Relations Committee. "Meeting with dignitaries and leaders of the ARF gave me a greater understanding of the current state of affairs in our homeland as well as the challenges facing our nation. I am grateful to the ANC-PN for organizing this trip to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh,î commented Vicken Chitilian, ANC-PN trip participant. A major highlight of the trip was a four day excursion to Nagorno-Karabakh, which included visits to Gandzasar Monastery, Nigol Douman Museum, and the cities of Shoushi and Stepanagerd. While in Stepanagerd, participants attended a roundtable discussion at the ARF office in Stepanagerd. The discussion was led by ARF representative Ara Balozyan, who engaged the attendees in a discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing the government of Nagorno-Karabagh. Participants also spent a day in Ashan, a village located in the Martuni region, where funds raised from the ANC-PN's 2004 and 2005 Christmas Party were used to improve and renew one of the Armenian Relief Society's Sosseh schools. Funds were also donated by last year's Armenia trip participants to purchase new computers for Ashan's Anita Hovsepian school. Upon their return from Nagorno Karabagh, ANC-PN trip participants attended a presentation on the California International Trade and Investment Office (CATO). CATO, operating under the auspices of the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, assists California companies to increase their sales to Armenia and the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union. Dr. Arthur Khachatryan, Director of the office in Yerevan, gave a briefing on CATO goals, operations, and sources of funding. Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America ñ Western Region (ANCA-WR), Steven J. Dadaian and ANCA-WR Board Member Armen Martin were also present at the briefing. The ANC-PN also organized a forum for trip participants entitled "Business in Armenia for Diasporansî, which exposed attendees to the challenges facing diasporans in Armenia who are currently doing business in their homeland. Among the repatriates that participated in the forum were Madlene Minassian, Director of Public Relations and Events for the Cafesjian Museum Foundation, Alex Sardar, Chief of Party for USAID's Civic Advocacy Support Program, Vahan Bournazian, Faculty at the American University of Armenia (AUA) Law Department, and Arsineh Khachikian, Creative Director of Deem Communications, Edit Khachatryan, Executive Director of International Legal Consulting, and Tom Samuelian, Attorney at Arlex International and faculty of AUA. After 14 days of being immersed in their homeland, the group returned home on July 28, 2006. The leadership of the ANC-PN, encouraged by the positive feedback received from the trip participants, is proud to offer such an informative and enlightening experience for young Armenian American professionals. The Armenian National Committee Professional Network (ANC-PN) is an association composed of Armenian American professionals living in the western United States. Beginning with nine original members, the ANC-PN has grown to hundreds of active members. ANC-PN members are brought together by heritage, social responsibility and a desire to expand the civic awareness and involvement of Armenian American professionals working in both the public and private sectors. The ANC-PN values excellence in education, professional pursuits and leadership skills. ANC-PN members achieve excellence through integrity, empowerment, diversity and continuous improvement - the skills and attributes needed to succeed in today's world. In an open and inviting atmosphere, the ANC-PN appeals to civic minded Armenian American professionals of all political persuasions who want to advance the Armenian cause. |
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