AGBU Young Professionals of Los Angeles
Contact: Narine Zardarian
Phone: (818) 437-6230
E-Mail: narine_zardarian@yahoo.com

PRESS RELEASE

NETWORKING TAKEN TO NEW LENGTHS BY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS USING
VIDEO-CONFERENCING TECHNOLOGY TO CONNECT GLOBALLY

Pasadena, CA, July 19, 2008- The AGBU Young Professionals of Los Angeles met
their counterparts in Moscow without leaving the AGBU Center’s conference
room. Skype, a program with internet video-conferencing capabilities,
permitted the two steering committees to meet in cyberspace; to get to know
one another and to exchange ideas.

The conference, held Saturday morning in Los Angeles, Saturday night in
Moscow, had a preset agenda vetted by the organizers, Isabella Gushchyan
from Moscow and Narine Zardarian from Los Angeles. The two groups, totaling
about twenty people combined, compared and contrasted the Russian-Armenian
versus American-Armenian experience. For example, it was learned that the
Armenian community in Russia is less organized because of their close
proximity and ease of access to Armenia. In contrast, the Angelenos are very
organized due to the same factors and the need to preserve their Armenian
heritage and identity.

After getting acquainted, the two groups discussed, in a mix of English and
Armenian, why it is important to preserve the Armenian identity, a purpose
central to the AGBU’s mission. Both included members born in the respective
country or in Armenia, however, it was unanimously agreed that these young
professionals see themselves as predominantly Armenian. Regardless of why,
the Armenian identity, is one that the two largest diasporas have
safeguarded.

"Video-conferencing with the young professionals of Moscow made me realize
that there is an emerging global Armenian identity, one that transcends
geographic boundaries, dialects, and other affiliations, simply appealing to
ones inner core as an Armenian," said Narine Zardarian, AGBU Young
Professionals of Los Angeles’ Publicity Chair.

Due to the success of this video-conference, the two groups agreed that
there should be a series of such "meetings." The next will be, a forum, held
with the expansive young professional populations from each of the cities,
Los Angeles and Moscow.

"Our next cyber-conference will feature a topic relevant to Armenians around
the world. Together, we will work towards a globally unified identity and
voice," said Bella Gushchyan of the Moscow young professionals.

Building on this pilot video-conference, the AGBU Young Professionals of Los
Angeles seek to connect with young professionals from other parts of the
world, such as Haleb.

Video-conference participants from Los Angeles included: Annie Markarian,
Vicken Sepilian, Tanniel Simonian, Nadine Wahida, Ani Gurunlian, Aleen
Khanjian, Ciara Libaridian, Sevana Melikian and Narine Zardarian.

###

Attached, please find pictures of video-conferencing.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress