PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Youth Federation
Western United States
104 N. Belmont St. Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Raffi Semerdjian
Tel: 818.507.1933
Fax: 818.240.3442
E-mail: ayf@ayfwest.org
Web:

Over 100 AYF Members Attend Educational Seminar

The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States Garo Madenlian Public
Affairs Office announced Tuesday that over 100 AYF members participated in
the Annual AYF Educational Seminar on March 19-21 at AYF Camp Big Pines.

The weekend, which was directed by Karnig Sarkissian, incorporated several
educational activities, lectures, and discussions about developments within
the ARF in light of the conclusion of the 29th World Congress, activism in
the American political system, and the translation of ideology into
ideological work.

`The seminar was a great success,’ explained Raffi Semerdjian, Administrator
of Public Relations and Publications for the AYF. `New and innovative
methods of educationals, combined with a patriotic and social atmosphere
provided the opportunity for our members to learn more about political
activism, the ARF, and even a better understanding of ourselves,’ elaborated
Semerdjian.

The educationals included a mock presidential election conducted by chairman
of the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region, Raffi
Hamparian, and a discussion about the 29th World Congress of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation led by ARF Western Region Central Committee
Chairman Hovig Saliba.

`Participants from eight chapters gathered at AYF Camp and learned about
various new topics currently involving Armenia and Armenians, while being
able to learn from one another through feedback and debate,’ said Melanie
Vartabedian, member of the AYF Educational Central Council.

In what has become customary of AYF seminars and camps, the participants
sang Armenian patriotic and revolutionary songs Saturday Night.

“To best serve our cause we must first be well educated about the issues at
hand,” said Vicken Sosikian, Chairman of the AYF Western Region. “We hope
that our members implement what they have taken from the weekend into
productive, results-driven work toward the realization of our goals,”
explained Sosikian.

The Armenian Youth Federation of the Western United States serves Armenian
American communities west of the Mississippi through education, athletics,
political activism, cultural activities and social settings. To learn more
about the Armenian Youth Federation please log on to

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