Thursday, July 29, 2010

AAA Interns visited Human Rights Defender's Office



On July 28 AAA Interns met with RoA Human Right's Defender (Ombudsman) Armen Haroutunyan.
The aim of the meeting was to present the concept of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as the role and functions of the Human Rights Defender.
During the brief lecture Armen Haroutunyan presented citizen-state relations, basic human rights, fundamental freedoms. Answering one of the questions the Ombudsman described the violations of human rights during the Armenian Genocide and the role that can play RoA Ombudsman in the process of Genocide recognition.
At the end of the meeting the Ombudsman answered students' questions.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Weekend at Lake Sevan






AAA Interns spent last weekend at Lake Sevan. The weather was good and they spent time swimming, tanning, playing volleyball and enjoying the beautiful landscapes.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Interns met with the Mayor of Yerevan






On July 21st AAA Interns visited Yerevan City Hall to meet the Mayor of Yerevan Mr. Gagik Beglaryan. During Mr. Beglaryan’s informative presentation, the interns learned about the historical background of Yerevan, the problems of the city and the activities of municipal officials to improve the governance of the city.
The Mayor thanked the Armenian Assembly for organizing such a wonderful program which gives the Diaspora youth a great opportunity to live and volunteer in their ancestral homeland.
After the presentation Mr. Beglarian answered interns’ questions.
Later, the students explored the Yerevan City Museum, which is located in the same building.

Interns spent 4 unforgettable days in Syunik and Artsakh






AAA interns along with the interns from other programs participated in amazing 4 day trip to Southern Armenia and Karabakh organized by Birthright Armenia.
They visited Datev Monastery, Shushi, Stepanakert, Gandzasar Monastery, Azokh Cave and many other interesting sites.
Enjoy photos.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Interns met with the Minister of Defense


On July 14 AAA Interns along with other Birthright Armenia program participants visited the Ministry of Defense and met with Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan.
Greeting representatives of the Armenian youth from Diaspora, Seyran Ohanyan briefed them on history of the Armenian Armed Forces' formation.
He noted that currently Armenia has an efficient and regular army, which serves as a guarantee of the Armenian people's security.
Attaching importance to the role of Diaspora in Armenia's development, the Defense Minister noted that the Armenian Diaspora played a significant role in the Artsakh war, while many Armenians from Diaspora participated in the Fatherland's protection.
Interns will also visit military units of Armenia's army, the RA Defense Ministry's press service reported.

AAA Interns attended the Grand Opening of The Hirayr and Anna Hovnanian's Foundation's Business Center








AAA Interns participated in the Grand Opening of The Hirair and Anna Hovnanian's Foundation's Business Center that houses both the Headquarters for the Hovnanian Foundation and the Armenian Assembly of America.
Grand Opening of this historical, fully reconstructed building took place on July 12. The president of RA, Serzh Sargsyan, All Armenian Katholicos Garegin the 2nd, American-Armenian benefactor and businessman Hirair Hovnanian, and other honoured guests and partners were present.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

AAA Interns participated in a Forum on problems of Javakhk Armenians




On July 7 AAA interns participated in a forum on problems of Javakhk Armenians. The forum was organized by "Yeritasardutyun" NGO and hosted by Armenian Assembly of America's Yerevan Office.
The invited guest, an historian Artush Sanosyan, spoke about the problems facing Armenians of historical Armenian region of Javakhk, presently a part of Republic of Georgia.
Mr. Sanosyan spoke as well about historical monuments of Javakhk, policy of Georgian Government towards the region, history of resettlement of Erzrum Armenians in Javakhk.
After the speech participants watched a movie about Javakhk and received answers to their questions as well as a booklets about the role of Javakhk Armenians in the national-liberation movement, signed by Mr. Sanosyan, the author of the booklet.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Interns celebrated Armenia's Constitution Day on Aragats Mountain







On July 5 Interns spent a wonderful time celebrating the Constitution Day on the top of Aragats Mountain. They visited also the Monasteries of Hovhanavank and Saghmosavank as well as the grave of St. Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of Armenian Alphabet.
While Yerevan was languid with 100F heat, the interns were sliding and playing snowballs.

Friday, July 2, 2010

First Impressions

After taking a plane from LA to NY, NY to Moscow; waiting 12 hours in the Moscow airport then taking a plane to Armenia; I am finally here. My first impressions of Armenia. Well let's see...Three days after I landed I still couldn't believe that I was in my long awaited homeland. I am still in a shock. Everywhere I go and every step I take, and everything I see seems like a mirage, a long awaited dream. I still can't believe that I am here and I have to pinch myself every time.
The first day I went to te city where I was from, Nor Hadjin. When I was younger, the buildings seemed so big and I felt so small, but now I felt like I could run from the beginning of the city to the end.
Afterwards, I went to the village were my grandparents were from, to visit their graves. The people living in that village once migrated from Moush during the genocide. My father used to tell me about the faces of the villagers who would always sit on the mountain gazing at the side of the Moush with hope and reminiscence about their lost heavenly homeland. The cemetaries looked abandoned too by the villagers because grass covered up most of what used to be there. However, the mountains around it stood there as an assurance of protection for the dead. As I stood there, the breeze from the mountains hit my face, reminding my once again about the unforgettable memories of my childhood.