AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email agbuwb@agbu.org
Webpage

PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, July 13, 2004

AGBU SPONSORS WORKSHOP ON CIVIL SOCIETY AT UN CONFERENCE

New York–Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) will sponsor an
important workshop, entitled, “Overcoming Obstacles as a Prerequisite
to Growing the Economy and Community” at the United Nations 57th
Annual DPI/NGO (Department of Public Information and Non Governmental
Organization) conference, which will be held from September 9-10,
2004. The theme of this year’s United Nations conference is
“Millennium Development Goals: Civil Society Takes Action.”

Initiated and organized by AGBU’s NGO representative, Adrienne
Alexanian, who also represents AGBU on the conference planning
committee, the workshop will focus on landmine eradication and other
problems faced by post-war societies and will compare partnering
ventures in Afghanistan, Armenia and Cambodia to eliminate landmines,
as well as civil society projects to promote economic and social
growth.

“I am happy to help organize the first AGBU-sponsored workshop at the
annual UN conference,” Alexanian said. “It is not only crucial that
Armenian organizations promote issues vital to the interests of
Armenia, but also network with other non-Armenian NGOs to garner
support for issues of mutual concern.”

Workshop speakers will include Jeff Masardjian, Executive Director of
Armenia Tree Project, Heidi Kuhn, Founder and President of Roots of
Peace, an organization established to continue Princess Diana’s work
in the field of demining, and Sally Mackle, Chairman of the
International Service Committee of Seattle Four Rotary.

This event is made possible through the generous support of the
Cafesjian Family Foundation and is co-sponsored by the Human Rights
Committee, Peace Action, Rotary International and the World Federation
for Mental Health.

AGBU is the largest Armenian non-profit organization and promotes
Armenian heritage around the world. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization. It was established in 1906 to preserve and
promote the Armenian identity and heritage through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs. AGBU supports and operates
schools, centers and offices in 23 countries around the world and
serves some 400,000 Armenian annually.

For more information on AGBU, please visit