PRESS RELEASE
BIRTHRIGHT ARMENIA
January 31, 2005
Contact: Linda Yepoyan
Phone: 610-642-6633
info@birthrightarmenia.org

STRING OF BIRTHRIGHT ARMENIA OPPORTUNITY FAIRS PROVES SUCCESSFUL

Hundreds of young diasporans interested in learning more about the wide
array of volunteer and study programs currently being offered in Armenia,
participated in six opportunity fairs sponsored by Birthright Armenia in
January. To test the efficacy of a unified promotional and recruitment
event of this type, Birthright Armenia organized pilot runs in the cities of
Montreal, Toronto, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, by
extending invitations to all the organizations that implement youth oriented
programs in Armenia to join in with presentations and recruitment tables.
Based on the huge turnouts and interest generated from each of the fairs,
proving to be both timely and beneficial for participating organizations and
attendees alike, Birthright is already working on an expanded schedule for
2006.

One important goal of the opportunity fair was to provide young diasporan
adults with a one-stop shop of information pertaining to volunteer and study
abroad opportunities in the Homeland, making it much easier for them to
learn about the dozens of options available to them and their generation.
Another desired goal was for participating organizations to get a jump-start
on their recruitment for the coming summer’s programs they implement in
Armenia.

Eleven different diaspora-based organizations, including the ACYOA, AAA,
ASA-NY, Armenia Tree Project, Armenian Volunteer Corps, AYF, Canadian Youth
Mission to Armenia, FAR, Habitat for Humanity, LCO, and the Student
Association for Medical Aid (SAMA) of McGill University, presented their
organizations’ mission, activities and programs in Armenia. Each and every
organization approached by Birthright Armenia mobilized their staff, program
alumni and volunteers to participate in as many fairs as possible in order
to speak to interested youth, to share first hand experiences with fair
attendees, and to encourage early submission of applications.

Executive Director of Birthright Armenia, Linda Yepoyan, opened each fair
with a short introduction that focused on a `come and belong’ theme,
emphasizing the importance of experiencing Armenia for study or volunteerism
now, rather than falling back on the `wait and see’ approach of the past.
Ten minute presentations from each of the participating diasporan
organizations, intermingled with interesting Powerpoint presentations and
slide shows followed next, and then an overview of Birthright Armenia
incentives and eligibility criteria. Each fair then concluded with an open
recruitment session including a designated table for each organization,
filled with promotional materials of brochures, photographs, slide shows,
applications and more.

Over 250 young diasporans interested in programs available to them in
Armenia attended the North American Fairs and in the words of one young
attendee, `I knew I wanted to go to Armenia but did not know how to find out
what options were available to me. This fair made it so easy that I have no
excuse not to go now.’

Mr. Haik Gugarats, who spoke on behalf of Ambassador Arman Kirakossian at
the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Washington, DC, said in his
opening remarks to the youth in attendance, `It’s a great pleasure to host
Birthright Armenia this evening, because their mission is of great value to
Armenia and the Armenians. There is nothing more noble, creative, and
uplifting than the process of self-discovery, especially if you also help
Armenia, and forge a personal connection to our ancestral land. And
Birthright Armenia will help you do just that: be Armenian and care about
Armenia. Remember that nobody can prevent you from being Armenian. You can
only lose your `Armenianness’ if you exclude yourself.’

`I was delighted to participate in the Opportunity Fair hosted by Birthright
Armenia in New York and present the FAR Young Professionals Trip to Armenia
and Karabagh,’ said Edina Bobelian, FAR’s director of development and
communications. `Birthright Armenia created the ideal forum for people of
all ages to learn about the different ways to go to Armenia. Under one
roof, we were able to showcase various journeys to the Homeland. This is
not only beneficial for those curious about traveling to Armenia, but also
for the organizations that offer these unique experiences to spread
awareness about their trips and activities. FAR is proud of its partnership
with Birthright Armenia, a pioneering organization that enhances our ability
to reach out and educate the Armenian Diaspora about philanthropic
opportunities in the Homeland.’

Executive director of the Armenia Tree Project, Jeff Masarjian, presented
the activities of his organization and its internship program in Armenia to
the Boston fair attendees. `The Birthright Armenia opportunity fair is a
wonderful forum for learning about the exciting work so many organizations
are doing to build a future for our new nation,’ he stated. ` I would
encourage any young person of Armenian descent who has an interest in
possibly offering his/her time and talent to making a real difference in
Armenia to attend any future fairs.’  

With the North American circuit now successfully over, Birthright Armenia
will continue promoting the idea and importance of community service in
Armenia during its European tour of London, Paris, Lyon and Marseilles in
early February to engage the interest of diasporan youths of the U.K. and
France wanting to experience land, history and people in all their
fascinating dimensions.

Since going public with this pilot program, Birthright Armenia has received
calls from numerous communities through the Mid-western, Southern and
Western United States, requesting that the organization consider their city
as the 2006 Fair schedule is developed. Also communities in Munich and Milan
have also requested a Fair be held when Birthright Armenia Opportunity Fairs
expand throughout Western Europe.

If you wish to have Birthright consider holding an Opportunity Fair in your
city, send an email to info@birthrightarmenia.org. If you are interested in
learning more about Birthright Armenia and the organizations offering
youth-oriented volunteer and study abroad programs in Armenia, please visit
for more information.