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ISRAELI PAPER ON BIRTHRIGHT ARMENIA PROGRAM
Tert.am
17.08.11
The Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post has published a report on
"Birthright Armenia" program, an initiative proposed by Diaspora
Armenians back in 2003 to offer young ethnic Armenians living abroad
a unique opportunity to visit their country every year.
Founded in 2003, the program brings young people between the ages of
20 and 32 with at least one Armenian grandparent to the country for
visits ranging from two months to a year, says the paper.
Comparing the initiative with a similar Jewish program - Birthright
Israel - the author of the report notes that this program is radically
different and inspired.
Citing the organization, he further says that the experience is meant
to foster a deeper connection to the country, and to allow for a
longer, more hands-on trip than a whirlwind visit could offer.
Since its launch, the program has hosted over 500 Armenian Diaspora
youth from over 25 countries, says the article.
Sevan Kabakian, country director for the program in Armenia, was quoted
as saying that participants spend a minimum of two months to a year,
volunteering around 30 hours a week.
"They basically participate in the life of the country, so their
days aren't spent doing what a tourist would do, but what a typical
countryman would do; going to work, and then going home at the end
of the day," he said.
"They basically participate in the life of the country, so their
days aren't spent doing what a tourist would do, but what a typical
countryman would do; going to work, and then going home at the end
of the day," he said.
"They basically participate in the life of the country, so their
days aren't spent doing what a tourist would do, but what a typical
countryman would do; going to work, and then going home at the end
of the day," Kabakian added.
While they don't receive financial support from the Armenian
government, they do receive what she refers to as moral support, as
well as easy access to government and military officials for lectures
and round-table discussions with participants, the paper comments.
The program's founder, Edele Hovnanian, was further quoted as saying
that when the initiative was proposed in 2003, she contacted Birthright
Israel to ask permission to use the name and received approval.
She reportedly met with some people from the Israel program, who
explained the ideas and principles behind.
Hovnanian described how many young Armenians went to the country
after independence in 1991.
"There are a ton of programs that take kids to Armenia for short-term
purposes, but that is a very different experience than what we do. We
want you to stay in homes, live there at least two months and really
immerse yourself in the community, and take the local transportation,"
she said.
From: A. Papazian
Tert.am
17.08.11
The Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post has published a report on
"Birthright Armenia" program, an initiative proposed by Diaspora
Armenians back in 2003 to offer young ethnic Armenians living abroad
a unique opportunity to visit their country every year.
Founded in 2003, the program brings young people between the ages of
20 and 32 with at least one Armenian grandparent to the country for
visits ranging from two months to a year, says the paper.
Comparing the initiative with a similar Jewish program - Birthright
Israel - the author of the report notes that this program is radically
different and inspired.
Citing the organization, he further says that the experience is meant
to foster a deeper connection to the country, and to allow for a
longer, more hands-on trip than a whirlwind visit could offer.
Since its launch, the program has hosted over 500 Armenian Diaspora
youth from over 25 countries, says the article.
Sevan Kabakian, country director for the program in Armenia, was quoted
as saying that participants spend a minimum of two months to a year,
volunteering around 30 hours a week.
"They basically participate in the life of the country, so their
days aren't spent doing what a tourist would do, but what a typical
countryman would do; going to work, and then going home at the end
of the day," he said.
"They basically participate in the life of the country, so their
days aren't spent doing what a tourist would do, but what a typical
countryman would do; going to work, and then going home at the end
of the day," he said.
"They basically participate in the life of the country, so their
days aren't spent doing what a tourist would do, but what a typical
countryman would do; going to work, and then going home at the end
of the day," Kabakian added.
While they don't receive financial support from the Armenian
government, they do receive what she refers to as moral support, as
well as easy access to government and military officials for lectures
and round-table discussions with participants, the paper comments.
The program's founder, Edele Hovnanian, was further quoted as saying
that when the initiative was proposed in 2003, she contacted Birthright
Israel to ask permission to use the name and received approval.
She reportedly met with some people from the Israel program, who
explained the ideas and principles behind.
Hovnanian described how many young Armenians went to the country
after independence in 1991.
"There are a ton of programs that take kids to Armenia for short-term
purposes, but that is a very different experience than what we do. We
want you to stay in homes, live there at least two months and really
immerse yourself in the community, and take the local transportation,"
she said.
From: A. Papazian