Diaspora must be a support for Armenia on difficult way of development

PanARMENIAN.Net - Over 180 Armenian students from 67 universities across the United States and Canada convened at Columbia University on February 3rd and 4th to define their role in the development of Armenia. This summit of Armenian students, titled "Armenia's Development: The Students' Role" was organized by the Armenian Club of Columbia University and Advocates for Armenia group. It was sponsored by the Armenian Center at Columbia University and Armenian General Benevolent Union. Representatives of "Advocates For Armenia" told the PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent that the purpose of this event was to empower young Armenians to effect positive changes in Armenia today. The two-day meeting featured presentations by prominent figures in the developing fields of business, information technology, health, law, and education. These presentations were followed by intense working sessions during which student participants worked with one another and experts to formulate innovative ideas for specific, small-scale projects to be implemented in Armenia within the next two years. At the conclusion of the summit, the students had combined their innovative ideas with the knowledge and expertise of the guest experts to produce seven highly promising projects proposals. Advocates for Armenia has committed to aiding in the implementation of these projects primarily through the coordination of partnerships with groups in Armenia and funding organizations in the Diaspora.



Levon Bagramian, chair of the summit's organizing committee, reflected on what the future has in store. "With this summit we began turning the attention of the Diasporan student body to Armenia's development challenges. We have much more to do. If Armenia is to become a prosperous, democratic country that is home to all Armenians, then we in the Diaspora have plenty more to do to help her to get to that stage quicker. Expect more from us on the difficult way of development," Bagramian stated.