PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme / Armenia
14 Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 0010
Contact: Mr. Hovhannes Sarajyan, Communications Associate
Tel: +37410 566 073
E-mail: hovhannes.sarajyan@undp.org
Web site:

UN in Armenia Partners with the Diaspora in Boosting Development in the
Country

United Nations, Yerevan – Today Ms. Consuelo Vidal, the head of the
United Nations in Armenia hosted a reception where, in the framework of
the `Global Armenia’ initiative, TOKTEN (Transfer of Knowledge Through
Expatriate Nationals) Program and `Global Armenia’ website
( <;) were
launched. Through TOKTEN Diaspora Armenians with vast experience and
skills will have the opportunity to provide technical expertise, policy
advice and research services to the government institutions, private and
public sector enterprises, universities, and research centers in fields
such as the environment, education, sciences, health, public
administration, IT and business management. While invigorating the
spirit of voluntarism, the UN will cover airfare and stay in the
country. The programme is based on competition and its transparency is
guaranteed by the UN’s world class standards. The `Global Armenia’
bilingual (English and Armenian) website will be another UN managed tool
for the Armenian Diaspora to engage in TOKTEN and many other UN-Armenia
projects, and have up-to-date information about the initiative and job
opportunities through the TOKTEN Program. From now on, Diaspora
Armenians can apply for TOKTEN at
<; website.

Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UN RC/UNDP RR in her opening speech stated that
`Global Armenia’ initiative is a relatively recent UN initiative, aimed
at stimulating the Armenian Diaspora’s involvement in and support to
development projects, which could be highlighted as national priorities.
It is also designed to enhance the capacity of Diaspora individuals and
organizations to contribute to their home country.’
Acknowledging the scale and magnitude of Diaspora’s contribution to
Armenia, Ms. Vidal stressed that `the United Nations comes to enhance
that, to offer to Diaspora’ individuals and organizations its own
institutional capacities, mechanisms, methodology and status to help
people build in partnership a better life in Armenia.’

In their speeches Mr. Arman Kirakosian, Deputy Foreign Minister of
Armenia, Ms. Hranush Hakobyan, Chairwoman of MFA State Committee for
Diaspora Affairs, and Mr. Yervand Zorian, member of the AGBU Central
Board of Directors, commended the United Nations in Armenia for this
important undertaking and highly valued the partnership of the Diaspora
for the development of Motherland through their professional skills and
experience.