MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
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PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: press@mfa.am

PRESS RELEASE

01-09-2006

The Third ArmeniaDiaspora Conference will convene September 18 to 20

The Third ArmeniaDiaspora Conference is gearing up for three full days of
meetings on two major themes. The Conference will convene September 18 to
20, during the week when Armenia will celebrate the 15th anniversary of its
independence.

"This is a significant year for Armenians everywhere," said Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Vartan Oskanian, who also chairs the Conference Organizing
Commission. "For the first time in our history, we celebrate 15 years of
independence. This is an auspicious time to be reflecting on what Armenia
and Diaspora have done together, and on all that remains to be done."

Day 1: September 18

On the morning of September 18, the leadership of Armenia and
representatives of international Diaspora organizations will address the
several thousand participants on the current condition and future prospects
for Armenia-Diaspora relations and cooperation. "This is a traditional
concern," says the official announcement, "which requires new approaches,
taking into consideration ever-changing geopolitical developments."

On the afternoon of September 18, the Conference will focus on Rural Poverty
Eradication. "To secure Armenia’s total development, and from the
perspective of certain strategic concerns, the comprehensive development of
Armenia’s rural communities must be assured," explains Minister Oskanian.
"Therefore, our objective is to rally the resources of the Armenian
government and Armenia’s business community, the Diaspora and international
organizations, to renovate rural infrastructure, facilitate economic
development and create the necessary contemporary conditions to live and
work in rural communities."

Nearly 50 sponsors have already been identified to underwrite the
rehabilitation and development of 50 of Armenia’s border villages. "These
very generous and very committed sponsors – some of them new to Armenia –
will be sitting around a table together with those already engaged in rural
development in Armenia, as well as representatives of rural communities, of
Armenia’s business community, and of the Armenian and international NGO
community to discuss the program’s goals and challenges. We will also
discuss mechanisms for implementing this far-reaching and innovative
program," added the Minister.

These 50 villages are the beginning of a national effort to mobilize
resources to sustain Armenia’s economic growth and make certain that those
living in regions far away from Yerevan also benefit from this growth.

During and following the conference, there will be visual presentations
about villages, and buses will take participants to villages near Yerevan in
order to see first-hand the problems and the possibilities.

Day 2: September 19

On the second and third days of the conference, participants will hear
experts from Armenia and the Diaspora, as well as non-Armenians, speak about
diaspora-homeland relations in a changing world.

" ‘New Answers to Old Questions’ was designed with the new and old diasporas
in mind. Armenians living in Europe and North America are asking the same
questions about language and culture and identity and belonging – but in a
new environment. Speakers from Ireland, the US, Canada, Germany, will
discuss the diaspora experiences of other nations, and Armenians from
Armenia and the Diaspora will explore their own experiences. A full list of
speakers is available at

Day 3: September 20

This third Armenia Diaspora Conference will conclude at noon on September
20, when the Forum will conclude, and the Conference will come to a formal
closing. The conference is open to all. Translation will be available in
four languages – Armenian, English, French, Russian.

The Second Armenia-Diaspora Economic Forum () will
take place on Wednesday, September 20, followed by a Pan Armenian EXPO-2006
on Friday and Saturday, September 22 and 23.

In addition to the conference, special cultural events, as well as
independence celebrations will be held throughout the week.

Information about the conference and registration information is available
at Questions can be addressed to
diaspora@mfa.am