Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
ancwr@anca.org

PRESS RELEASE

January 10, 2008
Contact: Haig Hovsepian

Tel: (818) 500-1918

ASAs Host ANC Media Outreach and Advocacy Workshop

Los Angeles, CA – On January 5, 2007, representatives from nearly a
dozen college campuses throughout southern California attended a media
outreach and advocacy workshop presented by the Armenian National
Committee-Western Region (ANC-WR). Hosted by the Armenian Student
Association and Armenian Graduate Student Association at UCLA on the
UCLA campus, student leaders and activists took the opportunity to
learn more about Armenian American issues and how they can promote
greater awareness of these issues on campus.

"It was a necessary and informative event. Students need to know
about these issues, that they have a significant voice, and that they
can make a difference," said Chris Khatchatryan, President of the UCLA
Armenian Student Association. "Being a world premier university, UCLA
was a great setting for the workshop and I look forward to follow up
workshops hosted by our sister ASAs," he added.

Saturday’s workshop featured two speakers, ANC-WR Board Member Vicken
Sonentz-Papazian and Glendale City Clerk and former UCLA Armenian
Student Association President, Ardashes Kassakhian. Sonentz-Papazian
opened the event providing an overview of Armenian American activism
and issues in the past century to the present day. Kassakhian spoke
about his experiences as a student leader addressing Armenian American
issues on campus and discussing the impact students can have on their
campus and beyond.

"I was impressed by the participants’ depth of understanding of the
topic and their commitment to promote and advance Hai Tahd," noted
Sonentz-Papazian.

The workshop was the first in a series being offered by the ANC for
youth leaders and activists. The workshops were inspired by the high
volume of community – and especially campus – activism during the
recent consideration and adoption of H.Res.106, the US House Armenian
Genocide resolution.

During October and November of 2007, ANC-WR Community Relations
Director Haig Hovsepian delivered community issues briefings to over a
dozen campuses. He also discussed opportunities for student
involvement with the ANC such as the ANC-Western Region
Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP). The media outreach and
advocacy workshop series is the most recent addition to the ANC’s
community leadership development programs.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in
the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States
and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances
the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.