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ARMENIAN YOUTH FROM US PARTICIPATED IN ANNUAL JUNIOR SEMINAR
DeFacto Agency
June 3 2008
Armenia
YEREVAN, 03.06.08. DE FACTO. Hundreds of Armenian youth from the
Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), Eastern U.S., gathered at the
annual Junior Seminar this past Memorial Day weekend to take part in
educational, athletic, and social activities that are geared towards
creating a fraternal Armenian atmosphere for all members, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern Region (ANCA-ER).
Among the organized schedule of speakers was ANCA-ER Executive Director
Karine Birazian who spoke to groups on becoming active on Armenian
issues and the importance of grassroots mobilization.
During her lecture entitled "Got Hai Tahd," Birazian focused on
the genocide in Darfur and why it is critical that Armenian youth
become involved in attempting to stop it. "We must be the voice for
those Darfurians today. In 1915, when Armenians did not have a voice,
others, who never had even heard of an Armenian, helped," commented
Birazian during her lecture.
Following her lectures, Birazian had the youth place their hands in
red paint and then on a large cloth provided for them. The activity,
encourage by Africa Action, is sending a message to President Bush
that we are all witnesses to the ongoing genocide today in Darfur.
Those present in Birazian's lecture also received information on key
issues that the ANCA is working on, including economic and military
aid to Armenia, the nomination of a new U.S. ambassador to Armenia, and
the current status of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Activists also
learned how to call their representatives, as well as learning where
their Members stand on issues of importance to Armenian Americans.
Following Birazian's lecture, Becca Biesel, an AYF Junior member from
the New Jersey "Arsen" chapter contacted Birazian over Facebook (c)
asking for more information on how to contact her Congressman. "I
decided to call my Congressman because I had learned from Karine
that not only do we come to Seminar to see our friends, but to learn
about our Armenian culture. After watching her presentation, it made
me feel like I can make a little difference. It is very important
to have your Congressman's support because it makes you feel safe,
as well as being a step closer in recognizing the Armenian Genocide."
Among the lecturers were several ANCA activists in leadership roles,
including: George Aghjayan; ANCA ER Board member: Serouj Aprahamian;
ANCA Capital Gateway Program Director; Ara Chalian, ANC of Pennsylvania
Chairman; and Zohrab Khaligian, ANC of Wisconsin Chairman, as well
as community volunteers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
DeFacto Agency
June 3 2008
Armenia
YEREVAN, 03.06.08. DE FACTO. Hundreds of Armenian youth from the
Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), Eastern U.S., gathered at the
annual Junior Seminar this past Memorial Day weekend to take part in
educational, athletic, and social activities that are geared towards
creating a fraternal Armenian atmosphere for all members, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern Region (ANCA-ER).
Among the organized schedule of speakers was ANCA-ER Executive Director
Karine Birazian who spoke to groups on becoming active on Armenian
issues and the importance of grassroots mobilization.
During her lecture entitled "Got Hai Tahd," Birazian focused on
the genocide in Darfur and why it is critical that Armenian youth
become involved in attempting to stop it. "We must be the voice for
those Darfurians today. In 1915, when Armenians did not have a voice,
others, who never had even heard of an Armenian, helped," commented
Birazian during her lecture.
Following her lectures, Birazian had the youth place their hands in
red paint and then on a large cloth provided for them. The activity,
encourage by Africa Action, is sending a message to President Bush
that we are all witnesses to the ongoing genocide today in Darfur.
Those present in Birazian's lecture also received information on key
issues that the ANCA is working on, including economic and military
aid to Armenia, the nomination of a new U.S. ambassador to Armenia, and
the current status of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Activists also
learned how to call their representatives, as well as learning where
their Members stand on issues of importance to Armenian Americans.
Following Birazian's lecture, Becca Biesel, an AYF Junior member from
the New Jersey "Arsen" chapter contacted Birazian over Facebook (c)
asking for more information on how to contact her Congressman. "I
decided to call my Congressman because I had learned from Karine
that not only do we come to Seminar to see our friends, but to learn
about our Armenian culture. After watching her presentation, it made
me feel like I can make a little difference. It is very important
to have your Congressman's support because it makes you feel safe,
as well as being a step closer in recognizing the Armenian Genocide."
Among the lecturers were several ANCA activists in leadership roles,
including: George Aghjayan; ANCA ER Board member: Serouj Aprahamian;
ANCA Capital Gateway Program Director; Ara Chalian, ANC of Pennsylvania
Chairman; and Zohrab Khaligian, ANC of Wisconsin Chairman, as well
as community volunteers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress