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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 30, 2006
AGBU SPEARHEADS FIRST OF ITS KIND EUROPEAN TRAINING SEMINAR FOR YOUNG
ARMENIANS
Investing in the next generation, AGBU broke symbolic ground in
Brussels, Belgium, with its first training and networking seminar for
European youth from April 29 to May 2, 2006, entitled "Project
Exchange and Development Seminar for Young European Armenians."
Promoting the grassroots efforts of young Armenians, AGBU in
sponsorship with the Council of Europe welcomed 38 talented community
organizers from 14 European countries (Armenia, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the
Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom) to
participate in a unique peer-to-peer exchange within a dynamic,
facilitated learning environment.
With multiple presenters on hand to explore new ideas, information and
experiences, the seminar was kicked off by guest speaker Dr. Bernard
Coulie, President of Belgium’s University of Louvain. Placing the
project work of the young Armenians within a European context,
Prof. Coulie emphasized the shared Christian history between Armenians
and Europe, and the tried and tested ability of the Armenian culture
to absorb new influences while retaining its specific identity.
Offering numerous learning opportunities, the four-day exchange
included informative talks by leading European organizations AIESEC,
AEGEE (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants d’Europe), the
International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation and the European Commission
Youth Program; training in fundraising and project management;
roundtable workshops on international exchange, culture and
professional networking; and presentations by seminar participants on
their local projects.
Fostering fellowship and camaraderie, Europe-wide participants quickly
came to appreciate their shared experiences, and the challenges and
opportunities that unite them as young Armenians serving their local
communities and homeland. Through exposure to one another’s work,
participants enthusiastically engaged in discussions on ways to
collaborate on joint projects in the future.
"The AGBU seminar in Brussels has shown me an efficient way to bring
together young Armenian professionals and the potential of highly
motivated Armenians looking for an opportunity to serve their local
communities and Armenia," said attendee Karen Navoyan, Co-Founder and
Co-President of Haik, an Armenian Students Association connecting 16
universities across Germany. "Furthermore, it has built a sphere for
potential collaboration on international projects. Knowing there are
other Armenians in Europe who are goal-oriented serving their
communities gives you motivation to continue your projects in your own
community. But the most important contribution of this seminar has
been the first step taken in creating a basis for a network between
Armenian young professionals in Europe."
With an ongoing commitment towards continuing the exchange, various
follow-up measures have been implemented by AGBU, including the
maintenance of the project’s website () and
support of an online forum on openBC () for networking
and professional purposes. To participate, go to OpenBC, become a
member and join Groups/Community and social issues/Armenian
Professionals Online.
Among the various organizations represented at the seminar were:
All-Armenian Youth Foundation (); Armenian Culture
Association of Barcelona ([email protected]); AGBU: France
District (, ), London Chapter
(), Plovdiv Chapter ([email protected]), Sofia
Chapter () and Yerevan Office (); Armenian
Youth & Culture Committee, England (); Association
Culturelle Arménienne d’Aix-en-Provence, France
([email protected]); CCAF, Conseil de Coordination des
Organisations Arméniennes de France (); DA-Connexion
France (); Fondation Alliance Arménienne,
Switzerland (); Gladzor Armenian Students Association,
Netherlands (student.armeenseforum.nl/armv); Haik German-Armenian
Students Association ([email protected]); Inside Europe, Belgium
(); World Armenian Youth Network (WostAyn)
(); and the Youth Parliament of Armenia
().
For more information on the seminar, please visit the AGBU Project
Exchange and Development Seminar web site ().
Established in 1906, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is
the world’s largest Armenian non-profit organization. Headquartered in
New York City with an annual budget of $34 million, AGBU preserves and
promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000
Armenians in 35 countries.
For more information on AGBU, please visit