PanARMENIAN.Net

Diaspora must be a support for Armenia on difficult way of development
24.02.2007 15:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Over 180 Armenian students from 67 universities
across the United States and Canada convened at Columbia University on
February 3rd and 4th to define their role in the development of
Armenia. This summit of Armenian students, titled ‘Armenia’s
Development: The Students’ Role’ was organized by the Armenian Club of
Columbia University and Advocates for Armenia group. It was sponsored
by the Armenian Center at Columbia University and Armenian General
Benevolent Union. Representatives of `Advocates For Armenia’ told the
PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent that the purpose of this event was to
empower young Armenians to effect positive changes in Armenia
today. The two-day meeting featured presentations by prominent figures
in the developing fields of business, information technology, health,
law, and education. These presentations were followed by intense
working sessions during which student participants worked with one
another and experts to formulate innovative ideas for specific,
small-scale projects to be implemented in Armenia within the next two
years. At the conclusion of the summit, the students had combined
their innovative ideas with the knowledge and expertise of the guest
experts to produce seven highly promising projects proposals.
Advocates for Armenia has committed to aiding in the implementation of
these projects primarily through the coordination of partnerships with
groups in Armenia and funding organizations in the Diaspora.

Levon Bagramian, chair of the summit’s organizing committee, reflected
on what the future has in store. `With this summit we began turning
the attention of the Diasporan student body to Armenia’s development
challenges. We have much more to do. If Armenia is to become a
prosperous, democratic country that is home to all Armenians, then we
in the Diaspora have plenty more to do to help her to get to that
stage quicker. Expect more from us on the difficult way of
development,’ Bagramian stated.