DIASPORAN ARMENIAN BOYS AND GIRLS TO LIVE IN FAMILIES OF ARMENIA UNDER "ARI TUN" PROGRAM OF MINISTRY OF DIASPORA
Noyan Tapan
Oct 24, 2008
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Boys and girls aged
15-25 who were born and brought up in the Diaspora will be invited to
Armenia under "Ari Tun" ("Come Home") program of the RA Ministry of
Diaspora. They will live in local Armenian families for 3-4 weeks, the
RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian told reporters on October 22.
Ms Hakobian expressed conviction that after visiting Armenia for the
first time, any Armenian from the Diaspora becomes very attached to
homeland. "We should help Diasporan Armenian children grow up as
Armenians because any young person who set foot on Armenian land,
looked at Masis from Khor Virap, washed hands in Lake Sevan and bent
down at the Memorial Complex of the Armenian Genocide Victims will
grow up as an Armenian," she underlined.
The program’s success, according to her, depends very much on the good
will of Armenians from both the Diaspora and Armenia. "Armenians living
in the Diaspora should express a willingness to send their children
here, while those in homeland should meet them with pleasure," the
minister said.
In the minister’s words, before launching the program, they must become
acquainted with the living conditions of the families to receive the
children, after which they will decide the further steps. She said
that the host families will take care of children, while the ministry
will organize trips and meetings for them under the program.
She noted that at the start of the program, families from Yerevan and
nearby marzes (Kotayk, Aragatsotn, Ararat and Armavir) will receive
Diasporan children but later other marzes (provinces) will be also
involved in the program. The ministry envisages inviting 1,000 children
to Armenia at the first stage.
It was mentioned that families that want Diasporan Armenian children
to stay with them shall apply to municipalities of their cities or
regions in order to be put on the list of the program. H. Hakobian
has already held meetings with regional governors with the aim of
discussing the details of "Ari Tun" program.