Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 North Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206
Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222
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PRESS RELEASE
Contact ~ Sarkis Kotanjian
info@armeniafund.org
Armenia Fund Participates in World Affairs Council’s Global Philanthropy
Forum
Mountain View, CA – Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region was represented at
the World Affairs Council’s 6th Annual Global Philanthropy Forum held at
the headquarters of Google in the Silicon Valley. The three day
conference, held from April 11-13, 2007, attracted more than 450
representatives of national and international NGOs and organizations
that have programs designed to end rural poverty and global warming in
different corners of the world. The Forum brings together foundation
leaders, individual donors, social investors, and agents of change to
learn more about opportunities for international philanthropy. Former
U.S. President Bill Clinton on behalf of the Clinton Foundation was
present at the conference.
Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC),
Ambassador John J. Danilovich was also present and delivered the keynote
address highlighting MCC’s goal of reducing poverty in countries like
Armenia. The Millennium Challenge Compact for Armenia envisions $235.5
million aimed at revitalizing the rural infrastructure through the
construction of roads and irrigation networks interlinking the regions.
Sarkis Kotanjian, Executive Director of Armenia Fund U.S. Western
Region, met with Danilovich during the conference. He thanked Danilovich
and the Millennium Challenge Corporation for including Armenia as a
beneficiary country. Upon learning that Armenia Fund’s Village
Development Program in Armenia will augment the direct impact of the
Millennium Challenge Corporation’s projects, Danilovich welcomed and
commended Armenia Fund’s efforts in Armenia and pledged to work closely
with the organization. Kotanjian thanked the Ambassador for his support
of Armenia Fund and welcomed the idea of working together with the aim
of fighting rural poverty in Armenia’s borderline villages. Kotanjian
also presented Armenia Fund to the participants and its 15-year history
of bringing positive change to the lives of thousands in Armenia.
Armenia Fund’s Village Development Program will work towards reducing
rural poverty through a comprehensive regional development program that
entails the construction of schools, healthcare facilities, agricultural
development and other socio-economic programs. The plan encompasses
Armenia’s 159 borderline villages in regional development clusters.
Several villages will be linked together in an attempt to better
coordinate their social and economic activities. Armenia’s fertile
agricultural lands and strategic location in Eurasia carries the
potential to restore its vital role as a regional economic hub.
Additionally, the plan envisions to aggressively stimulate agricultural
development through microfinance lending for local farmers in the
battered regions. The Village Development Program is pending the formal
approval of Armenia Fund’s International Board of Trustees Meeting in
June of this year.
"I welcome Ambassador Danilovich’s words of support. The participants of
the Global Philanthropy Forum were both impressed with the 15-year track
record of our organization and excited to hear about the partnership of
Armenia Fund International with the Millennium Challenge Corporation as
it sets a good precedent for non-profits in other countries where MCC is
involved.", said Kotanjian. `Of course, greater coordination and
cooperation with local governments as well as other international
development projects is vital to this program’s success. I am confident
and optimistic that through the generous support of the United States,
Armenia will continue making strides towards a positive, healthier
future’, added Kotanjian.
Armenia Fund would like to express its sincere gratitude to Mrs. Suzy
Antounian of San Francisco for facilitating the Fund’s participation at
the Global Philanthropy Forum.
Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia. The Fund has rendered
more than $160 million in development aid to Armenia. Armenia Fund, Inc.
is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund.
Tax ID# 95-4485698
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress