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ANCA Interns Complete Summer Advocacy Training Program

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  • ANCA Interns Complete Summer Advocacy Training Program

    ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
    1711 N Street NW
    Washington, DC 20036
    Tel: (202) 775-1918
    Fax: (202) 775-5648
    Email: [email protected]
    Website: www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE

    For Immediate Release
    August 14, 2008
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918
    Email: [email protected]

    ANCA INTERNS RETURN TO UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY LIFE COMMITTED
    TO STRENGTHENING GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM

    WASHINGTON, DC - A summer of intense grassroots activism and
    political training came to an end this week as the 2008 Armenian
    National Committee of America (ANCA) "Leo Sarkisian" summer
    interns returned to their campuses and communities, energized to
    put their enhanced skills to work in advancing Armenian American
    advocacy priorities.

    This year's participants gathered from across the U.S., Canada,
    and as far away as Argentina to work in the ANCA national
    headquarters and gain first-hand Armenian American advocacy
    training in the heart of Washington, D.C. "Having such a
    diverse group of motivated and intelligent young activists, each
    with different backgrounds and experiences, really added to the
    richness of this year's internship experience," said Internship
    Coordinator Serouj Aprahamian. "I think they've gained a lot,
    not only from working in the office but also from one another
    and I'm sure they will go on to be true torchbearers for our
    Cause well into the future."

    As in years past, each intern was assigned a specially tailored
    project geared toward enhancing the ANCA's efforts and
    strengthening their advocacy skill-set. The internship group
    also took part in a comprehensive lecture series featuring such
    highly acclaimed speakers as Armenia's Foreign Minister Edward
    Nalbandian, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Tatoul Markarian,
    Senior Council to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee Dean
    Shahinian, as well as ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and former ARF
    Bureau member Garo Armenian.

    Participants were also given the opportunity to attend a number
    of foreign policy and human rights briefings on Capitol Hill,
    including the testimony of US Undersecretary of State Dan Fried
    on American policy toward Armenia and the nomination hearings
    for the newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Yerevan, Marie
    Yovanovitch.

    Throughout this whirlwind of Hai Tahd education, training and
    activity, each participant gained a broader understanding of the
    factors at play when it comes to Armenia and the advancement of
    Armenian American issues. They also walked away with a variety
    of newly gained skills ranging from conducting in-depth
    research, to working with the media, meeting with representative
    officials and even engaging in international diplomacy.

    Named in honor and memory of pioneering ANCA activist Leo
    Sarkisian, this eight-week intensive program, now in its 24th
    year, gives student leaders and activists the tools necessary to
    effectively advance Armenian American concerns on campus and in
    their communities. It is an integral part of the ANCA Capital
    Gateway program, a year-round internship / job placement service
    which provides Armenian Americans greater opportunities to
    explore careers on Capitol Hill, in the U.S. Foreign Service and
    key Washington, DC foreign policy think tanks. To learn more
    about the ANCA Capital Gateway Program, visit:
    http://www.anca.org/gateway/gateway_overvie w.php

    #####

    Photo Captions:

    Photo #1:Visiting the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol
    Hill. From (l to r) Razmig Nalpatian, Zori Eurdekian, Rita
    Astoor, Nieri Avanessian, Arbi Vartan, and Razmik Tchakmakian

    Photo #2: ANCA Interns gain insight on U.S.-Armenia relations
    and Armenia foreign policy during a visit with Armenian
    Ambassador Tatoul Markarian (center). From l to r: Longtime ANCA
    activist Manas Boujikian, Arbi Vartan, Rita Astoor, Nieri
    Avanessian, Markarian, Razmik Tchakmakian, Zori Eurdekian,
    Razmig Nalpatian, and ANCA leader Garo Armenian.
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