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AGBU Press Office: AGBU Hosts 83rd General Assembly and World

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  • AGBU Press Office: AGBU Hosts 83rd General Assembly and World

    AGBU PRESS OFFICE
    55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
    Phone (212) 319-6383
    Fax (212) 319-6507
    Email [email protected]
    Webpage www.agbu.org

    PRESS RELEASE
    Tuesday, November 2, 2004

    AGBU HOSTS 83rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND WORLD CONFERENCE IN ARMENIA

    MEMBERS WITNESS FIRST-HAND AGBU'S CONTINUING SUPPORT OF ARMENIA &
    KARABAKH

    On the occasion of its 83rd General Assembly, which took place from
    October 1-7, 2004, in Yerevan, over 350 AGBU members and supporters
    from 25 countries convened in Armenia's capital to attend a multitude
    of events and activities: including a three-day World Conference,
    visits to AGBU's Armenia projects, the Biennial General Assembly
    meeting, and cultural evenings. Delegates also paid an official visit
    to Karabakh from October 7-9.

    Welcoming representatives from around the world, AGBU provided
    simultaneous four-language (English, French, Spanish and Armenian)
    translation for all participants that attended the Opening Session,
    the General Assembly, and the Conference meetings.

    During Saturday's Opening Session, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
    Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, applauded the
    organization's continued dedication to Armenians during his
    blessing. "Today, parallel to their mission in the Diaspora, the
    activities of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, as well as of all
    the other national and religious institutions, should be aimed at the
    development of the Motherland, the strength of which will make the
    Diaspora even stronger." President of the Republic of Armenia, Robert
    Kocharian, and President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, Arkady
    Ghoukassian, sent messages of support and praise.

    Armenia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vartan Oskanian noted AGBU's
    long history of service to the Armenian people and its unwavering
    dedication to its mission, "in reality from the very beginning of the
    century until World War II and beyond, and today, AGBU in every
    instance has demonstrated its ability to adapt to any given situation
    and has been able to make the right decisions for the betterment of
    our people."

    AGBU's record of support to Armenia goes back as early as the 1920s,
    when its donors contributed towards the construction of an eye clinic,
    maternity hospital, several schools and the town of Nubarshen. From
    these early years, the organization had established deep roots in
    Armenia in furtherance of its mission and since its independence there
    has been a renewed sense of commitment in the country.

    MAKING A DIFFERENCE

    AGBU delegates traveled to the Nork AGBU Soup Kitchen and Children's
    Center and personally observed its accomplishments in the eastern
    district of Yerevan. The Nork Center educates over a thousand young
    talents and the Soup Kitchen provides daily meals for hundreds of
    senior citizens. Combined, AGBU's six Soup Kitchens serve 1,200 people
    daily and three Children's Centers instruct over 3,500 children and
    teenagers.

    Members were also treated to a showcase of music, dance, and gymnastic
    feats performed by the students. Since their inception in 1993, the
    Centers, a joint project of AGBU and the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, have
    provided training in the arts, language, history, gymnastics, and
    computers to thousands of youth.

    NURTURING THE SPIRIT

    Sunday, AGBU members participated in the Divine Liturgy at Holy
    Etchmiadzin and met with His Holiness Karekin II, where they were
    welcomed to a reception in their honor. Before arriving at
    Etchmiadzin, the AGBU group paid a brief visit to the Holy Trinity
    Church being constructed in southwest Yerevan with funds provided by
    an AGBU donor. In Holy Etchmiadzin, AGBU donors are also providing the
    finances for various projects including the construction of clergy
    housing and the renovation of the residence of the Catholicos.

    AGBU delegates were on hand for the official dedication of the
    AGBU-sponsored dormitory at Vaskenian Seminary on Lake Sevan. The
    inaugurated facility includes staff rooms, offices, library and living
    quarters for a hundred seminarians. The building is part of the larger
    campus that provides religious education and training to clergy who go
    on to serve Armenian communities throughout the world.

    EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

    With 30 day and Saturday schools around the world, AGBU's dedication
    to scholastic excellence is unparalleled among Armenian
    organizations. Two AGBU-initiated projects have contributed to quality
    post-graduate education in Armenia.

    Beginning in 1992, AGBU partnered with the University of California to
    establish the American University of Armenia (AUA), an institution
    dedicated to the education of the country's future leaders with
    graduate degrees in business management, engineering, law, public
    health, political science, and computer and information sciences.

    AGBU delegates also attended AUA's commencement ceremony where 133
    graduates eagerly awaited their diplomas. Dr. Haroutune Armenian,
    President of AUA, officiated the ceremony and captured the spirit of
    AGBU, "Over its close to a hundred year history, this organization has
    been able to turn beautiful dreams into reality...AGBU has been at the
    forefront of creating opportunities for future generations of
    Armenians..."

    Another AGBU-initiated educational project in Armenia, which plays a
    key role in the country's medical community, is the AGBU Ultrasound
    Center. Founded through a partnership with Philadelphia's Jefferson
    Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, the Center is a
    state-of-the-art diagnostic facility and housed on the Yerevan State
    Medical University campus. Made possible with funds provided by an
    AGBU donor, the project was established through the dedication of
    Dr. Levon Nazarian, who spoke to delegates about the facility and
    noted that doctors from Russia, Ukraine, India and China study at the
    center because of its quality instruction. In addition to these
    projects of higher learning, AGBU also supports the Yerevan State
    University, which is the country's leading undergraduate institution.

    83rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION

    Monday's General Assembly at the Armenia Marriott Hotel was chaired by
    AGBU President Berge Setrakian and attended by AGBU members and
    supporters.

    The AGBU president reviewed the accomplishments and activities for
    2002 and 2003, noting that AGBU cannot rest on its laurels. "We must
    live up to our collective responsibilities of promoting and preserving
    our common heritage...As we look to the horizon, to our Centennial and
    beyond, I ask each and every one of you to consider what you can do
    today that will make a difference in the life of an Armenian
    tomorrow."

    Central Board Member Sinan Sinanian presented the organization's
    2002/2003 Biennial Financial Report, which was distributed to all
    members and available in four languages, pointing out that AGBU's
    program expenditures for 2002 and 2003 totaled nearly $57 million,
    which represents an increase of over $12.5 million when compared to
    1992 and 1993. During the last ten years, AGBU's net assets increased
    by nearly $100 million to $250 million.

    Motions to approve the Financial Report, re-elect Central Board
    members and other organizational business were unanimously approved.

    AGBU members, Hratch Manoukian of Cyprus, Berdj Terzian of Egypt and
    Hrant Bardakjian of Canada, received recognition for their longtime
    service to the organization and their respective communities.

    MEETING FUTURE CHALLENGES

    Built on the success of the 2002 Worldwide Convention in New York, the
    Yerevan Conference sessions at the Armenia Marriott Hotel and the AUA
    Business Center, began on October 4th.

    Cognizant of the major population shifts that have taken place in
    Armenia and the Diaspora which dictate new realities and complexities,
    the Conference addressed current needs and future challenges facing
    the Armenian nation and AGBU.

    Taking to heart Mr. Setrakian's message that together, "we can make
    certain that a hundred years from now, another President of AGBU will
    be reporting on AGBU's current activities and will take great pride,
    as I do, in knowing that there is a past filled with a rich history
    and a future filled with tremendous promise." District and Chapter
    Chairs discussed and evaluated AGBU's programs, including the
    importance of addressing the needs of Armenian youth in the
    twenty-first century, and ensuring that established projects continue
    to serve their purpose.

    The participants also listened intently to a keynote speech by Nagorno
    Karabakh President, Arkady Ghoukassian, who briefed the delegates on
    various aspects of life conditions in Karabakh, as well as the present
    geo-political issues. He described AGBU's various projects in
    Karabakh, which include the construction of one of the largest streets
    in Stepanakert, the construction of an apartment building for war
    veteran families, the renovation of a school, the construction of the
    village of Norashen, and the funding of the Karabakh Chamber
    Orchestra.

    "In my opinion, if other pan-Armenian organizations had the same
    devotion and enthusiasm, many of our problems would have been solved
    by now," President Ghoukassian said in his remarks.

    Other speakers included Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanian of Armenia
    2020 and Arpi Vartanian of the Armenian Assembly of America.

    In a special session with President Kocharian, AGBU Central Board
    members and District Chairmen discussed issues of mutual concern and
    the ongoing challenges faced by Armenians not only in Armenia, but
    throughout the Diaspora. President Kocharian particularly praised
    AGBU's vital role both in Armenia and the Diaspora and paid tribute to
    its past and present leadership.

    CULTURE OF THE CAPITAL

    AGBU ensured that guests were able to partake in the riches that have
    once again become part of the city's artistic life thanks in part to
    AGBU's support of excellence in the arts. At the Armenian State Opera
    House, participants attended the National Theatre of Opera and
    Ballet's performance of "Anoush". The production was made possible by
    a grant from AGBU, and marked the first time in years that the classic
    Armenian opera was mounted.

    AGBU hosted an official reception in the medieval wing of the National
    Gallery of Art on Republic Square that was attended by 1000 guest,
    including government officials from Armenia and Karabakh, foreign
    ambassadors, leading cultural figures, representatives of various
    organizations and institutions and AGBU supporters. His Holiness
    Karekin II, Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukassian, Armenian Foreign
    Minister Vartan Oskanian, and former President of the Republic of
    Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossian were among the distinguished guests in
    attendance.

    The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, which has been financially
    supported by AGBU since 1992, performed a concert at the Khachaturian
    Concert Hall dedicated to AGBU's 83rd General Assembly, and included
    music by Khachaturian and Tchaikovsky.

    THE ROAD TO KARABAKH

    At the conclusion of the General Assembly and World Conference in
    Yerevan, a hundred AGBU delegates journeyed to Karabakh for a more
    in-depth look at the organization's projects and met with the
    Republic's elected leaders, including President Arkady Ghoukassian and
    Foreign Minister Ashot Ghoulian.

    After paying respects to the Alex Manoogian memorial (dedicated to the
    Honorary Life President of AGBU) built on a street that bears his
    name, AGBU supporters also visited the Karabakh War Memorial to
    remember the fallen soldiers buried there. Some of the group continued
    from these morning tributes onto the medieval monastery of Gandzasar
    north of the capital, while many chose to brave the still war-ravaged
    roads to Norashen-a village repopulation project spearheaded by AGBU
    France and adopted by AGBU's Central Board as a centennial
    project. Norashen is home to 22 families and is the first of a cluster
    of villages to be built in Karabakh.

    Returning to Stepanakert, the AGBU group was officially received by
    President Arkady Ghoukassian in the National Assembly building, where
    they asked questions about the continuing work to rebuild the Republic
    and heard the president's evaluation of their progress. The event was
    followed by a performance of the 26-member Karabakh Chamber Orchestra,
    which was recently founded through AGBU funds.

    A RENEWED COMMITMENT

    Like any young democracy, Armenia faces many challenges and
    obstacles. Independence has brought greater responsibilities not only
    for the elected leaders of Armenia, but also for the entire
    Diaspora. With a clear understanding of its Armenia programs, AGBU
    members left with a renewed enthusiasm to confront new challenges with
    innovative ideas, or as Mr. Setrakian noted during the General
    Assembly session, "rather than employ old strategies to meet new
    realities, we must evaluate what is working and what is not, and seek
    out new programs that will attract and excite the next generation of
    Armenians."

    With AGBU's centennial fast approaching, the organization will
    continue its quest to meet the challenges of tomorrow and provide
    meaningful programs that improve the lives of Armenians across the
    globe.

    AGBU is the largest non-profit organization in the world and reaches
    400,000 Armenians annually in 34 countries through its educational,
    humanitarian and cultural projects. For more information, pictures and
    the full text of speeches presented at the General Assembly and World
    Conference, please visit www.agbu.org.
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