United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Armenia
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PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Aramazd Ghalamkaryan
E-mail: [email protected]
UNDP Armenia deepens relations with the Armenian Diaspora in Latin America
30.01.2007
The involvement of the Armenian Diaspora in the development process in
Armenia is crucial for many communities and projects in the country.
UNDP Armenia’s partnership with Diaspora organizations and individuals
has been successful in 2005-2006, and there are firm bases for
continuing the positive experience of cooperation.
>From January 15 to 21, 2007, the senior management of UNDP Armenia
office visited three major Armenian communities in Latin America –
Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. The head of UNDP and UN in Armenia, Ms.
Consuelo Vidal, met with groups of representatives of the Armenian
Diaspora in these countries, to learn more about their realities, share
UNDP’s views on the country’s development situation and highlight their
possible involvement in community development and other projects being
implemented by UNDP Armenia, especially in rural areas of the country.
In the area of rural poverty eradication, UNDP Armenia closely
cooperates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Armenia. Through a participatory process that involved community
authorities as well as villagers, UNDP Armenia experts facilitated
development plans for 20 rural communities. The huge interest expressed
by the participants of the meetings about UNDP’s work globally and in
Armenia was very promising.
Ms. Vidal pointed out in her speech: "UNDP’s approach to community
development in Armenia is based on the belief that in order to make
villages economically sustainable, we have to concentrate not only on
rehabilitation of buildings, water systems and roads, but also ensure
income and employment generation, active citizens’ involvement in local
development and promotion of democratic institutions."
The Armenian embassies and consulates in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil
facilitated the visits to the Armenian communities abroad, as well as
the organization of the meetings with representatives of the Armenian
Diaspora in these countries. UNDP Armenia delegation, which also
involved Mr. Alexander Avanessov, deputy head of office and Ms. Narine
Sahakyan, socio-economic programme officer, presented comprehensive
analysis of the economic and development situation in the country, with
a special focus on problems in the Armenian provinces (marzes).
The range of discussion topics covered during the mission was really
wide: youth issues, education, health care, unemployment, business
environment, corruption, regional cooperation in the South Caucasus and
Armenia-Diaspora relations.
The mission to Latin America was a continuation of a similar visit to
the Armenian community in Moscow, Russia in November 2006. Then, similar
meetings took place with representatives of the Armenian business
community and civil society in Russia.
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For additional information please visit and/or contact Mr.
Aramazd Ghalamkaryan at [email protected], tel.: +37491 436
312, +37410 566 073 + 121.