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: [email protected]
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Partnership between the United Nations Development Program and the
Ministry of Diaspora Has Been Formalized
United Nations, Yerevan – Today Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UN Resident
Coordinator/ UNDP Resident Representative and Ms. Hranush Hakobyan,
Minister of Diaspora have signed a Memorandum of Understanding – a
framework document that envisages collaboration in development of
conceptual outline of Armenia-Diaspora relations and its implementation.
In line with the provisions of the document, UNDP in Armenia will
support the Ministry of Diaspora in development of the Ministry’
website, implementation of specially designed for Diaspora TOKTEN
(Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals) program, raising
awareness on the activities of the Ministry, establishment of Civic
Educational Center and Summer Camp for local and Diaspora youth, and
coordination of and information sharing on activities with and for Diaspora.
Underscoring the vital importance of institutionalization of relations
with the Diaspora, Ms. Consuelo Vidal said, `My personal interaction
with Diaspora representatives, aimed at facilitating their engagement in
Armenia’s development projects and partnering with them as UN has
testified the necessity to considerably intensify the volume of
cooperation with engagement of innovative mechanisms.’
Although the MoU is being formalized only now, she stressed that the
United Nations in Armenia has already shaped a successful cooperation
with former MFA State Committee on Diaspora Affairs. At the beginning of
this week the United Nations in Armenia has launched in the framework of
its `Global Armenia’ initiative a website (
<;) and TOKTEN program, enabling Diaspora
Armenians through the UN methodology to apply their skills and knowledge
for the benefit of Armenia. As part of that scheme, Diaspora experts can
bring their valuable input also into the Ministry of Diaspora’s work.