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ARMENIAN YOUTH FEDERATION OF CANADA
`SIMON ZAVARIAN' CHAPTER
45 HALLCROWN PLACE
TORONTO, ON CANADA M2J 4Y4
JUNE 22, 2012
Contact: KATYA DERHOVAGIMIAN
Phone: 647-828-0301
Email: [email protected]
AYF CANADA AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL VIOLATIONS IN ARMENIA
TORONTO, ONTARIO - On June 10, 2012, The Armenian Youth Federation of
Canada `Simon Zavarian' Chapter hosted an information session in
Toronto regarding the recent environmental and social rights
violations in Armenia. The event focused on the deforestation of the
Teghut forest, and the illegal construction of kiosks in Yerevan's
Mashdots Park, and was broadcasted live online.
Among the attendees was the Honourable Jim Karygiannis, Member of
Parliament, Scarborough-Agincourt and member of the Armenian Canadian
Parliamentary Group, who voiced his support for the cause and the
activists. He commended the youth for hosting the event and urged attendees
to, `practice the power of the pen' and continue their persistence.
Executive Director of the Armenia Tree Project, Mr. Jeff Masarjian, was
invited from Boston, Massachusetts, to further illustrate the issues in
Teghut and the potential damage the mine can cause in the region. He
discussed in detail the unjust actions the Armenian Copper Programme has
taken to make open-pit mining a reality in the area.
During the event, the attendees connected live with the leaders of the
`Save Teghut' initiative via Skype, in order to provide a firsthand
perspective of the ongoing efforts in Armenia. The activists voiced their
support for the Toronto-Armenian community and encouraged other regions to
take note and host information sessions to spread awareness.
During the event, photographs of Armenia's landscape, donated by young
Armenia-based photographers Azat Gevorkyan and Daron Titizian were
displayed. The attendees also participated in a photo petition, urging the
Armenian government to take immediate action regarding the deforestation of
Teghut forest and other political, social, and environmental injustices in
Armenia.
The AYF Canada `Simon Zavarian' Chapter also collaborated with the A.R.S
Armenian Day School, asking students to draw what they would like Armenia's
green spaces to look like in the future. Their works were displayed during
the event and later sent to the activists in Armenia.
Armenia's youth has united taking a stand against political, social, and
environmental injustices, with the agenda to change the future of the
country. The AYF Canada `Simon Zavarian' Chapter commends this movement and
will continue to collaborate with the activist, in order to ensure a fair
and just society in Armenia.
##
Founded in 1934, the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada is the
largest and most influential Armenian-Canadian youth organization in
Canada, working to advance social, political, educational, and cultural
awareness among Armenian-Canadian youth.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
1. Executive Director of the Armenia Tree Project, Mr. Jeff Masarjian
2. The Honourable Jim Karygiannis, Member of Parliament,
Scarborough-Agincourt and member of the Armenian Canadian Parliamentary
Group
3. Photo-petition, group picture
`SIMON ZAVARIAN' CHAPTER
45 HALLCROWN PLACE
TORONTO, ON CANADA M2J 4Y4
JUNE 22, 2012
Contact: KATYA DERHOVAGIMIAN
Phone: 647-828-0301
Email: [email protected]
AYF CANADA AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL VIOLATIONS IN ARMENIA
TORONTO, ONTARIO - On June 10, 2012, The Armenian Youth Federation of
Canada `Simon Zavarian' Chapter hosted an information session in
Toronto regarding the recent environmental and social rights
violations in Armenia. The event focused on the deforestation of the
Teghut forest, and the illegal construction of kiosks in Yerevan's
Mashdots Park, and was broadcasted live online.
Among the attendees was the Honourable Jim Karygiannis, Member of
Parliament, Scarborough-Agincourt and member of the Armenian Canadian
Parliamentary Group, who voiced his support for the cause and the
activists. He commended the youth for hosting the event and urged attendees
to, `practice the power of the pen' and continue their persistence.
Executive Director of the Armenia Tree Project, Mr. Jeff Masarjian, was
invited from Boston, Massachusetts, to further illustrate the issues in
Teghut and the potential damage the mine can cause in the region. He
discussed in detail the unjust actions the Armenian Copper Programme has
taken to make open-pit mining a reality in the area.
During the event, the attendees connected live with the leaders of the
`Save Teghut' initiative via Skype, in order to provide a firsthand
perspective of the ongoing efforts in Armenia. The activists voiced their
support for the Toronto-Armenian community and encouraged other regions to
take note and host information sessions to spread awareness.
During the event, photographs of Armenia's landscape, donated by young
Armenia-based photographers Azat Gevorkyan and Daron Titizian were
displayed. The attendees also participated in a photo petition, urging the
Armenian government to take immediate action regarding the deforestation of
Teghut forest and other political, social, and environmental injustices in
Armenia.
The AYF Canada `Simon Zavarian' Chapter also collaborated with the A.R.S
Armenian Day School, asking students to draw what they would like Armenia's
green spaces to look like in the future. Their works were displayed during
the event and later sent to the activists in Armenia.
Armenia's youth has united taking a stand against political, social, and
environmental injustices, with the agenda to change the future of the
country. The AYF Canada `Simon Zavarian' Chapter commends this movement and
will continue to collaborate with the activist, in order to ensure a fair
and just society in Armenia.
##
Founded in 1934, the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada is the
largest and most influential Armenian-Canadian youth organization in
Canada, working to advance social, political, educational, and cultural
awareness among Armenian-Canadian youth.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
1. Executive Director of the Armenia Tree Project, Mr. Jeff Masarjian
2. The Honourable Jim Karygiannis, Member of Parliament,
Scarborough-Agincourt and member of the Armenian Canadian Parliamentary
Group
3. Photo-petition, group picture