ARMENIAN RELIEF SOCIETY, INC.
CENTRAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESS RELEASE NO. 31

Armenian Relief Society, Inc. Telephone: 617-926-5892
Central Office Fax: 617-926-4855
80 Bigelow Avenue e-mail: secretary@ars1910.org
Watertown, MA 02472 Website:
Date: April 3, 2008 Contact person: Hamesd Beugekian

THE ARS PARTICIPATES IN THE ARTSAKH TUFENKIAN FOUNDATION CONFERENCE

>From March 28 to March 30, the Tufenkian Foundation organized — under
the auspices of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic Government — a conference
in the Artsakh city of Berdadzor, to study issues involving the
development of the Region of Qashatagh. Participants of the Conference
heard

the presentations of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic President, as well as
the representatives of the authorities of Qashatagh. They familiarized
themselves with the details of programs proposed by the Tufenkian
Foundation, and visited some of the region’s villages and towns located
to the south of Berdadzor, to acquire first hand information on their
status, and the challenges faced by their inhabitants.

The Armenian Relief Society participated in this Conference with two
representatives, who, alongside the general sessions, participated also
in the workshop sessions, focusing on Health and Education issues. In
the realm of Education, the ARS Central Executive agreed to participate
in the restoration work of schools in the Qashatagh region, or to assume
responsibility for the renovation of one or more kindergartens, also to
invite the staffs of Qashatagh kindergartens to the projected
professional qualification classes for the staffs of the ARS "Soseh"
Kindergartens in Artsakh.

In the realm of Health issues, the ARS expressed its readiness to assist
— through the facilities of its Akhurian "Mother-and-Child" Health
Center — in the re-training process of parallel staffs employed at
Qashatagh, as well as providing medications and basic equipment
available at the Ishkhanadzor medic-assistance center. The ARS also
agreed to take part in the efforts to create new medic-assistance
centers.

At the conclusion of the Conference, ARS Central Board chairperson,
Hasmig Derderian, congratulated, in highly laudable terms, the Tufenkian
Foundation for organizing this Conference and the initiatives taken thus
far across Qashatagh. She affirmed, that the entire Armenian nation is
under a multi-faceted obligation to assist to the needs of each and
every Armenian inhabitant of Qashatagh and, that the ARS is not only
ready to honor the duties assumed at the Conference, but to continue its
efforts — along directives set by the Artsakh authorities — to assure
a prosperous future for the people of Qashatagh.

Following the Conference, the ARS participants remained in Artsakh for
further field work. They visited the Garegah, Stepanakert, Shoushi, and
Aigestan ARS "Soseh" kindergartens of Qashatagh region. After the
visits, the ARS Central Board chairperson stated: "We are pleased, that
kindergartens promoted by the ARS are considered the best in Artsakh,
however, we still have a long road to cover to provide our children with
the very best."

While in Artsakh, the ARS Central Executive team, accompanied by the
ARS/Artsakh chairperson, Margarita Taranian, met with the Artsakh
Republic’s Prime Minister Arayik Harutiunian, Education Minister Vladik
Khachatrian, and Health Minister Armen Khachatrian.

All Artsakh officials had praise for the services rendered the Republic
by the ARS — be it during the war years, be it over the aftermath. They
stated, that the authorities are always willing to cooperate with the
Armenian Relief Society, as with all organizations working for the
advancement of Artsakh. During the meetings, the fundamental issue was
raised, that Artsakh has long since left behind the post-war era, and
must invest all assistance in the concerted efforts made to achieve
quality on the highest level, to solidify the foundations of the State,
and to realize the strategic programs designed to raise its population’s
standard of living. Along those lines, there was consensus, that it is
necessary to establish coordination in the activities of the State and
civil organizations and societies.

Before leaving Artsakh, the ARS Central team had working sessions with
the ARS/Artsakh executive and office staff and paid a visit to the ARF
Artsakh Central Committee office, where it was received by members of
the Central Committee. A visit was paid also to the museums of the
Artsakh Liberation War, and of Those Missing in Action.