Armenian from Los Angeles Named UN e-Leader
Appointment will advance information and communication technologies
for youth and eradicate poverty worldwide.
By: Anna Menedjian
LOS ANGELES — Armen Orujyan, PhD, 34 of Los Angeles, California and
Founder and Chairman of ATHGO, an organization that trains budding
diplomats and social entrepreneurs, was appointed effective April 1,
2008 to serve a two-year term as `e-Leader’ of a committee of the
United Nations.
A champion for youth through his work with ATHGO, Orujyan was one of
only ten people chosen from around the world and the only person from
the United States to serve as e-Leader for the UN Committee on
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Youth.
The e-Leaders’ committee serves under UN Global Alliance for
Information Technologies and Development of the Department of Economic
and Social Affairs (UNDESAGAID). It will support the agenda of the UN
by harnessing ICT advancements for the achievement of the UN’s
Millennium Development Goals that include among other initiatives,
advancement of ICT for youth and eradication of poverty worldwide.
In his appointment letter, Sarbuland Khan, Executive Coordinator of
UNDESAGAID for ICT and Development wrote that Orujyan is an
`outstanding youth leader, who has made a remarkable impact on
multimedia.’
Orujyan, originally a native of Armenia, attended Los Angeles Valley
College from 1997 through 1999, serving as the school’s Student Body
President his last year. In 1999 Orujyan transferred to UCLA and
graduated with honors within a year earning a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Political Science. From 2002 through 2007, Orujyan attended
Claremont Graduate University in California and received a Master of
Arts degree in International Studies as well as PhD in Political
Science.
`I am confident that, with your vision, high commitment and wide
experience in ICT-for-development activities around the world, you
will be able to make a powerful contribution to the Global Youth
Coalition and to the work of UNDESAGAID, in general,’ wrote Khan to
Orujyan.
During his two-year appointment, Orujyan will bring stakeholders such
as governments, private sectors and media from around the world
together to create youth networks for developing and implementing
regional work programs on ICT for development in education,
healthcare, governance and entrepreneurship.
Orujyan will also promote awareness and advocacy campaigns through
multimedia on global ICT-for-development initiatives.
`There has never been a more practical and hands on opportunity for
young people to excel in life early-on and independently as it is now
with ICT advancement worldwide. I am honored and excited that the UN
has asked me to help open doors and opportunities for young people
around the world,’ said Orujyan.
For additional information about this story, please contact
[email protected] or call (818) 345-6734, ext. 1020.
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