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PACE committee backs Armenian deputy chairman’s proposal

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PACE committee backs Armenian

The PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights approved in a recent meeting in Paris proposals submitted by Samvel Farmanyan, a deputy chairman representing Armenia’s national delegation.Farmanyan shared the news on Facebook, expressing content with the Committee’s move to include his call for condemning hate speeches and violence propaganda (in the addresses by member states’ delegates) in an anti-terrorism report by a British Assembly member.

“It will be enshrined in a PACE resolution, devoted to fight against terrorism and radicalism, to react to the anti-Armenian propaganda ramped up by [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev and his regime,” reads his status.

 

Burbank: Community: Mentorship program kicks off for Armenian young adults “Nerouj”

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The New Connect event chairs, from left, Lusine Daglian and Deanna Nalbandian, founder Alice Chakrian, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Nerouj Chair Silvana Vartanian. (Joyce Rudolph / Burbank Leader)

The New Connect event chairs, from left, Lusine Daglian and Deanna Nalbandian, founder Alice Chakrian, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Nerouj Chair Silvana Vartanian. (Joyce Rudolph / Burbank Leader)

By Joyce Rudolph,

A new organization has been created for Armenian young adults to network and access resources that will assist them on their career paths or help them choose a career.

It’s called Nerouj, which is a compound word that originated from the Armenian words “Nerkin” and “ouj,” meaning inner strength.

Its mission is to lead Armenian young adults in reconnecting with the church through education, inner support and strengthening of their identity to keep the Armenian heritage alive and give purpose through inner spirituality and morality.

Founded in November, the group held its first event in mid-February called “The New Connect.”

It featured a panel discussion with area professionals followed by a question-and-answer period and then a breakout session that allowed members to network with each other as well as panel participants.

The three-hour program was held at the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church in Burbank.

Moderator was Brian Kabateck, a consumer attorney and founding and managing partner of Kabateck Brown Kellner LLP.

The panelists were Glendale financial advisor Raffi H. Kendirjian, cardiologist Dr. Antreas Hindoyan, Jacqueline Chooljian, magistrate judge, Central District of California; songwriter/music producer Joe Khajadourian and Wendy Bendoni, chair of the fashion marketing department of Woodbury University.

The organization wanted to create a platform for young professionals to come together and network with each other and pay it forward by mentoring the next generation of high school and college students and other emerging professionals who are still pondering a career choice, said Silvana Vartanian, Nerouj chair.

Attendees ranged in age from 18 to 30.

“It’s so important to make these connections at a younger age,” Vartanian said. “I have a great, diverse team of young professionals and college students and, through their feedback, they have been able to pinpoint exactly the best way to gather this group.”

Future events will be smaller focus groups centered around specific professions, lectures and casual mixers for networking.

“Our group name stands for inner strength in Armenian so this program is meant to bring forth their inner strength in mentoring, helping and being active participants within our community,” she added.

Other committee leaders are Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America; Father Khajag Shahbazian, event chair Deanna Nalbandian, and advisers Alice Chakrian and Rosette Kaloustian.

Archbishop Derderian said he was inspired to see the youth of the diocese and this community so engaged in projects and missions that guide the well-being of the community.

“There is so much destruction in today’s life and today’s community, so to see this kind of event, it gives us hope, joy and inspiration,” he said.

“I was amazed to witness the wisdom and leadership capability of our youth to organize such an event,” he added.

The archbishop marveled that the event drew close to 200 youth, and they actively participated.

“The panelists were superb, and moderator Brian Kabateck was amazing,” he said. “All of us have an inner strength. All we have to do is share it with one another.”

Gala benefits Family Promise homeless project

Family Promise of the Verdugos has landed a most unusual prize for its upcoming fundraiser that’s sure to attract collectors of Burbank TV history.

A set of two original seats from NBC’s Stage 1 — the home of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” — will definitely be the highlight of the live auction for the fourth annual gala titled “Coming Up Roses” on March 24 at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

Proceeds will go to Family Promise programs to help homeless families regain their independence.

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center will receive the Impact Award for its commitment to the homeless population in Burbank and surrounding areas.

In addition, the Hands On, Hearts In Award will be presented to to Family Promise of the Verdugos founder Jenny Greene Smith.

This award is given to an individual or organization that has made a significant impact on homelessness.

There will be a dinner, silent auction and VIP tour of the stadium including the new 1922 Locker Room Museum.

For tickets, visit www.FamilyPromiseVerdugos.org or call (818) 847-1547.

Istanbul hosts Armenian dance concert

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Istanbul Congress Center on Sunday hosted a special concert event dedicated to Armenian dances.

The invited guest performers were the national dance ensemble Maral and the Tatul Altunyan Song and Dance Ensemble, the Istanbul-based Armenian publication Luys reports.

A commentator for the TV channel Dogan described the concert – attended by numerous Turkish and Armenian public and political figures, and intellectuals – as an attempt towards “fostering friendship”.

The event was covered by both Turkish and Armenian media outlets. Also, it becomes clear from one of the videos that many Istanbul-Armenians boycotted the presence of Aram Ateshyan, General Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul, by chanting loud slogans and exchanging whistles.

Armenian president awards women on the occasion of March 8

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Official press release by the office of President of ArmeniaIn the run-up to Women’s Day, President Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan hosted today mothers of many children and a group of women who have excelled in various spheres with fruitful and dedicated work.

The President of Armenia congratulated the guests and, in their person, all Armenian women on the upcoming holiday. A number of women were encouraged with high State awards, while the mothers of many children were presented with the Parental Glory Medal and materials incentives for setting up and strengthening families, providing for their children’ physical, spiritual and moral well-being and harmonious development.

“Dear Awardees,
Dear Women,

I cordially congratulate you on the receipt of high State awards and, of course, on the occasion of tomorrow’s holiday, which will last for a whole month and then all year up to next March 8.

No society can be described as modern and up-to-date if it fails to strengthen women’s role in public life, and where women are not serious players. Our historical experience suggests that our women should be reserved a major role in society. They have that role in our society. Of course, I would like to say that they enjoy a broad involvement in public life, but that work is part of our future work.

I am deeply convinced that every year, women should take part in local or State elections, women should participate in the elections every time, and their role must certainly increase. But there is one circumstance here: women themselves should want it.

In many cases women do not want to be actively involved in social and political life. It may be the fault of the whole society, maybe the problem of men. Nevertheless, I have always called for and urge women to actively participate in our country’s construction. It is very important. And though my words were not able to state exactly that there is no great involvement, but we are on the right path: every year our women are represented at all levels of government and there is no sphere in the country where women are not represented.

 

Once again, I cordially congratulate you for the awards and on the Holiday. I wish you could always be feminine, to give warmth, enthusiasm and, of course, soberness to all of us – to the society and to men. This is a very important circumstance. Thank you for being here today. Once again, I congratulate all of you,” President Sargsyan said.

After the solemn award ceremony, President Serzh Sargsyan had a meeting with the women at the tea table.

The President proposed them to present their views, remarks, proposals concerning women’s role in the State, their social and political life and the steps to be taken to enhance involvement in the system of public administration.

Armenian Caucus calls for $70m aid package for Artsakh and Armenia

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In a letter circulated for signatures on Wednesday to their US House colleagues, the Congressional Armenian Caucus is calling upon Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) of the Appropriations Subcommittee of Foreign Operations to back a $70 million Fiscal Year 2019 aid package for Artsakh and Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We want to thank Congressman Pallone and his colleagues in the leadership of the Armenian Caucus for seeking the support of their US House colleagues for a “peace and prosperity,” aid package for Artsakh and Armenia,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The common sense policy prescriptions and targeted appropriations they are calling for will return long-term dividends for US security and economic interests, while helping to advance American values across the region for decades to come.

The dollar amounts and policy priorities requested by the Armenian Caucus, which annually spearheads bipartisan efforts to secure support for Armenian-related aid appropriation, align with ANCA testimony submitted last month to the Senate panel writing the foreign aid bill:

— Artsakh: $6 million to complete de-mining and rehabilitate the disabled, $4 million to promote peace via the Royce-Engel proposals.— Armenia: $30 million in economic aid, $10 million in military aid, and $20 million to help Armenia serve as a safe haven for Middle East refugees— Azerbaijan: Suspend all US military assistance and strengthen Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support ActThe ANCA has also called upon Congressional appropriators to encourage the Trump Administration to make full use of the US-Armenia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and Economic Task Force, and, most urgently, to move forward with the long-overdue negotiation of a modern US Armenia Double Tax Treaty.

Armenian jazz artist Datevik Hovanesian to perform in Moscow

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jazz artist Datevik Hovanesian

jazz artist Datevik Hovanesian

World-famous jazz singer of Armenian origin Datevik Hovanesian will give a concert in Moscow, Esse Jazz Agency said on its website.

The concert will be held at the Moscow International House of Music on June 2. In the last 15 years, this is the second major concert by the singer in the Russian capital.

The program, which Hovanesian will present with his New York team, will include jazz classics by great composers George Gershwin, Tom Jobim, Duke Ellington, Reuben Rogers, as well as folk Armenian melodies of Komitas in Hovanesian’s own arrangements.

Dubbed “Ella from Yerevan” or “The Jazz Lady of the Soviet Union,” Hovanesian took on the jazz scene of the then Soviet Union in the late 1980s.

Her performance was impressive not just for musicians and listeners of the Soviet Union: the homeland of jazz – the United States – soon became her homeland too, where, according to Oganesyan, “being a jazz musician is already a challenge.”

Armenian activists dispute constitutionality of presidential election by parliament

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While the National Assembly was conducting its Friday hearing to elect the fourth President of Armenia, a group of civic activist gathered outside for a protest to dispute the constitutionality of the voting.

With posters bearing the slogan ‘No to Constitution’s Misrepresentation’, the group claimed that the parliament was conducting the election in violation of the basic law of Armenia.  Garik Sarukhanyan, a member of the Union for National Self-Determination, said they dispute also the legsitimacy of the 2015 constitutional referendum proposing a transition to the parliamentary government, downgrading the president’s status.

“We are attending the burial of constitutionality here, because what they are doing inside the National Assembly now is practically killing the institute of constitutionality.

So we are eye-witnessing that process in a way. In the Constitution which they have themselves written, it is plainly stateed that the a new Constitution enters into effect after the presidential election. So the people were supposed to elect the president at this stage of developments,” he told reporters.

Volodya Avetisyan, a veteran of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) war also attending the protest, called for an active civic campaign for achieving a government change.

“What we have in the Republic of Armenia today is a tyrannical and criminal regime everybody knows about. So those criminal authorities, which acceded to power by distributing bribes, are now illegitimately appointing  a president,” he said.

Armenian, Georgian PMs highlighted 33% growth in trade turnover over the past year

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Armenian, Georgian PMs

Armenia’s Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received today the delegation headed by Georgian Prime Minister paying official visit to Armenia. As the government press service reported, Karen Karapetyan and Giorgi Kvirikashvili held face-to-face talks, during which they discussed issues on the agenda of the Armenian-Georgian relations and highlighted the future development of trade economic relations. The Premiers’ private talks were followed by an expanded meeting of the official delegations of the two countries

Greeting his Georgian counterpart, PM Karapetyan noted that he Armenian-Georgian relations are have marked with positive trends over the recent years.  In Karapetyan words’ the traditional friendship and political relations between the two countries form the base for the future development, expressing satisfaction over the recent reciprocated high-level visits.

The Head of Georgian Government thanked Karen Karapetyan for his invitation, pointing out that deepening the two countries’ trade and economic relations will be one of the key issues to be discussed at the meeting between them. According to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, both Georgia and Armenia are celebrating the 100th anniversary of becoming democratic republics, marking the most important dates for both countries.

“I am glad to be in a country with centuries-old friendship with Georgia. High-level visits create a necessary foundation for further developing our bilateral relations,” Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said, adding: “I am happy that hat our bilateral trade turnover has grown significantly. Over the past year mutual turnover increased by almost 33 percent.”

According to the source the interlocutors discussed a broad range of issues of interaction in trade, energy, transport, defense, tourism health and humanitarian sectors.

Armenian parliament elects members for top judicial body

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judicial body

The National Assembly on Wednesday summed up the election of the Supreme Judicial Council, a new body tasked with overseeing Armenia’s courts, replacing the Council of Justice.

The five members, nominated by the ruling Republican Armenia (ARF-D), and its coalition partner, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D), were elected to the initially intended posts.

After the voting, they all swore in an official oath-taking ceremomy, promising to guarantee rule of law and the independence of judges in the Republic of Armneia.

Under the amended Constitution, five of the 10 Council members are elected by the National Assembly in a secret ballot. The candidacy of the rest is approved by the general assembly of judges.

Some 98 members of the 98-seat parliament participated in the voting. Gagik Harutyunyan, the outgoing president of the Constitutional Court, received 96 votes “for” and only two votes “against”. Gevorg Danielyan, a former minister of justice (intended term of office: five years), was elected with 90 votes “in favor” and seven votes “against”. Liparit Melikjanyan, who was nominated for the third position (five years), received support by 82 lawmakers; 15 voted “against” and one ballot paper was declared invalid. Hayk Hovhannisyan secured 86 positive votes to be elected to the fourth position (three years). The fifth candidate, Sergey Meghryan (also three years) received 82 votes “in favor” and 10 votes “against”.

Republican presidential nominee meets with Armenian politicians in Lebanon

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Armen Sargsyan, whom the ruling Republican Party of Armenia nominated last week as its candidate in the upcoming presidential election, on Sunday visited to the Armenian Embassy to Lebanon to with representatives of the traditional Armenian political.The talks with members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D), the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP) and the Armenian Democratic Liberal (Ramgavar) Party addressed Armenia’s domestic and foreign policies and urgent issues regarding the preservation of the Armenian identity. abroad

Sargsyan briefed the participants on the pressing challenges in Armenia, sharing his vision of ensuring sustainable development and solidarity among the Armenian worldwide. He also elaborated on the priorities of the step planned.