DIASPORANS EXPERIENCE LIFE IN ARMENIA THROUGH ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
arminfo
2007-07-24 12:37:00
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Armenian Assembly of
America’s (AAA) Summer Internship Program in Washington, DC. That
program has provided over 850 university and graduate school students
the opportunity to work in the capitol of the United States. In
response to requests from the Armenian government, the Assembly
expanded that program and established a similar program in Armenia
in 1999.
Since its inception, forty-nine interns have participated in the
AAA Summer Internship Program in Armenia, volunteering their time
and services to various government and non-governmental offices in
Armenia. Visits to various sites of interest in Armenia and Karabakh
are arranged so interns can develop a greater understanding and
appreciation of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh today, as well as the
issues facing each of us today.
This program provides Armenian-Americans the unique opportunity to
live and work in one of the most historically and culturally rich
countries in the world. These internships provide Armenian-American
youth the opportunity to experience life in their homeland,
gain valuable and unique professional work experience, interact
both professionally and socially with their Armenian counterparts,
witness firsthand and participate in Armenia’s developing democracy,
and discover Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The volunteers offer their
services to various offices, providing valuable services, as well
as the opportunity to interact with Diasporans on a daily basis and
share their knowledge. Most of all, the program strengthens the ties
between Diasporan-Armenians and their homeland.
AAA Country Director Arpi Vartanian says, "This program is a unique
opportunity for Armenian-Americans to discover Armenia. A two-month
stay in Armenia, though short, provides great opportunities for
interaction with citizens of Armenia and other Diasporans. Participants
gain a better understanding of the issues facing our people today. They
also gain a better understanding of who they are, and what they can do
to further strengthen their Armenian communities. They come to Armenia
because they want to discover Armenia and themselves. They leave with
a greater understanding of both Armenia and themselves. Some return to
Armenia to be part of this wonderful, growing democracy. Others may
remain in the USA, but, being more aware of themselves as Armenians,
can greatly contribute to strengthening their local communities. Both
are critical to all of us as Armenians of the world."
To date, AAA interns, from all over the United States, have volunteered
in 24 offices, including:
Armenia Tree Project Armenian-American Wellness Center Armenian Center
for National and International Studies Armenian Tourism Development
Agency Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center ArmeniaNow
News Agency Bars Media Constitutional Court Habitat for Humanity
Hayastan All Armenia Fund International Center for Human Development
Markaryan Medical Center NKR Representation Office in Armenia Nork
Marash Medical Center Orran Center OSCE ROA Ministry of Culture, Youth
& Sports Affairs ROA Ministry of Education and Science ROA Ministry
of Finance & Economy ROA Ministry of Foreign Affairs ROA Ministry of
Health ROA Ministry of Urban Development ROA Office of the Ombudsman
(Human Rights Defender) UNDP