ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY INTERNS SPEND TWO MONTHS IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
19.09.2007 13:30

This summer a group of talented Armenian-American college students
from across the US traveled to Yerevan to take part in the Armenian
Assembly’s summer internship program in Armenia. During an eight-week
period these students had a chance to live and work in their homeland,
while gaining a better understanding of their ancestral heritage.

Nearly 50 interns have participated in the Assembly’s summer internship
program in Yerevan since it was established in 1999.

This year, Yerevan interns spent the summer working at a variety of
prominent government offices, non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
think tanks, medical centers, and media outlets. Their placements
included: the Ministry of Education and Science, Ombudsman’s Office,
Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center, Armenian-American
Wellness Center, Armenian Center for National and International
Studies, Armenia Tree Project, Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS), Armenian Tourism Development Agency
(ATDA), Markaryan Medical Center, International Center for Human
Development, Orran Benevolent Non-Governmental Organization, and
ArmeniaNow News Agency.

During their stay in Yerevan, interns met with several government
officials and political figures including Parliament Member Davit
Haroutiunyan, Ombudsman Armen Haroutunyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Vartan Oskanian, Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Vano Vardanyan, Chairman of
the Constitutional Court Gagik Haroutunyan, and Member of Parliament
and the founder of the Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian.

Interns traveled outside of the city, visiting historic sites such
as the Sardarapat Memorial Complex, Amberd Fortress, Khor Virab,
Garni Temple, and the Monasteries of Geghard, Oshakan, Saghmosavank,
Hovahanavank, Goshavank and Haghartsin. They also viewed the ruins
of Ani from the Armenian side, took a weekend trip to Lake Sevan,
and visited with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians
at the Holy See of Etchmiadzin.

Additionally, the interns took a three-day trip to Nagorno Karabakh
making stops along the way at the Noravank, Tatev and Gandzasar
Monasteries, and the city of Goris. One stop brought them to the town
of Shushi where the interns spent some time exploring the 19th century
Ghazanchetsots Amenaprkich Church and a newly-opened lavash factory.

Once in Karabakh, the interns took in the sights of the capital city
of Stepanakert and met with Foreign Minister Georgi Petrosyan. Before
leaving Karabakh, the group visited the HALO Trust Demining Center
where they learned about the deadly landmines that continue to threaten
the people and livestock in Karabakh.