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Repat Armenia Foundation launched to promote and accelerate
repatriation of skilled and dedicated professionals to Armenia
16:33, 28 September, 2012
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: Repat Armenia Foundation's (RAF)
Executive Director and Board of Directors announced today the
establishment of the Foundation whose objective is to actively promote
and help achieve the repatriation of skilled and dedicated Armenians
to Armenia, reports Armenpress citing the Foundation's press service.
The repatriation effort will be focused on those Armenians currently
living abroad who can bring critically-needed skills, economic
development opportunities and democratic values to the developing
Republic. The foundation has three main platforms of activity: 1)
Actively promote the idea of repatriation among the Armenian diaspora
by gathering and distributing objective information and examples from
existing repatriates; 2) support integration and absorption into
Armenian society of those who have made the decision to repatriate;
and 3) influence government policy toward pro-repatriation legislation
and activities. ''We aim to provide potential repatriates with real
examples and helpful information regarding moving back to Armenia,
including important topics such as career opportunities,
infrastructural necessities such as education and healthcare, and
success stories of others who have made the move''' said Vartan
Marashlyan, founder and Executive Director, Repat Armenia Foundation.
`It's critical that each potential repatriate consider such a decision
based on objective, non-biased and most importantly validated
examples.'' The Foundation was formed and is supported by a group of
concerned Armenian professionals and social activists, both in the
Diaspora and in Armenia, who believe that quality repatriation is key
to the development of the country. ''The success of Armenia's
viability as a thriving independent homeland for Armenians depends on
the connection between bright and dedicated young professionals in
Armenia with the global experience and reach of those Armenians that
have achieved success in countries and markets around the world,''
added Avetik Chalabyan, Partner at McKinsey & Co., and founder and
Board Member of RAF. ''This connection can only truly succeed when
these two groups interact with each other face-to-face, on the ground
in Armenia'. In addition to bringing critical skills and a global
network of connections to accelerate the development of the Armenian
economy and society, this effort is also critical for the ongoing
viability of the global Armenian Diaspora. ''Over the last 40 years,
wars and revolutions have steadily depleted the traditional political,
educational, cultural and religious centers of the Armenian Diaspora''
stated Raffi Kassarjian, Advisor to the Board, Converse Bank and
founder and Board member of RAF. ''Armenian communities in Jerusalem,
Beirut, Tehran, Baghdad and now Aleppo have all suffered significant
emigration. While there is an immediate and critical need to assist
our compatriots fleeing the conflict in Syria, [which the Foundation
is already actively engaged in] we also have obligations to provide a
vibrant `nucleus' of Armenian life for Armenians spread throughout the
world. That is why this endeavor is as important for the Diaspora as
it is for Armenia.'' In addition, RAF is working with partner
organizations to organize a job placement clearinghouse, legal and
business advisory support for recent repatriates (both
Syrian-Armenians and Armenians from around the world that have
actively expressed an interest in living and working in Armenia). In
the medium term, RAF plans formal integration programs such as
language and culture training, development of a representative network
in major Diasporan Armenian communities, as well as a broad range of
lobbying efforts to address pro-repatriation legislation in relevant
spheres. At the same time, RAF is looking forward to partnering with
existing and emerging organizations, both in Armenia and in the
Diaspora, to pool efforts related to repatriation.
repatriation of skilled and dedicated professionals to Armenia
16:33, 28 September, 2012
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: Repat Armenia Foundation's (RAF)
Executive Director and Board of Directors announced today the
establishment of the Foundation whose objective is to actively promote
and help achieve the repatriation of skilled and dedicated Armenians
to Armenia, reports Armenpress citing the Foundation's press service.
The repatriation effort will be focused on those Armenians currently
living abroad who can bring critically-needed skills, economic
development opportunities and democratic values to the developing
Republic. The foundation has three main platforms of activity: 1)
Actively promote the idea of repatriation among the Armenian diaspora
by gathering and distributing objective information and examples from
existing repatriates; 2) support integration and absorption into
Armenian society of those who have made the decision to repatriate;
and 3) influence government policy toward pro-repatriation legislation
and activities. ''We aim to provide potential repatriates with real
examples and helpful information regarding moving back to Armenia,
including important topics such as career opportunities,
infrastructural necessities such as education and healthcare, and
success stories of others who have made the move''' said Vartan
Marashlyan, founder and Executive Director, Repat Armenia Foundation.
`It's critical that each potential repatriate consider such a decision
based on objective, non-biased and most importantly validated
examples.'' The Foundation was formed and is supported by a group of
concerned Armenian professionals and social activists, both in the
Diaspora and in Armenia, who believe that quality repatriation is key
to the development of the country. ''The success of Armenia's
viability as a thriving independent homeland for Armenians depends on
the connection between bright and dedicated young professionals in
Armenia with the global experience and reach of those Armenians that
have achieved success in countries and markets around the world,''
added Avetik Chalabyan, Partner at McKinsey & Co., and founder and
Board Member of RAF. ''This connection can only truly succeed when
these two groups interact with each other face-to-face, on the ground
in Armenia'. In addition to bringing critical skills and a global
network of connections to accelerate the development of the Armenian
economy and society, this effort is also critical for the ongoing
viability of the global Armenian Diaspora. ''Over the last 40 years,
wars and revolutions have steadily depleted the traditional political,
educational, cultural and religious centers of the Armenian Diaspora''
stated Raffi Kassarjian, Advisor to the Board, Converse Bank and
founder and Board member of RAF. ''Armenian communities in Jerusalem,
Beirut, Tehran, Baghdad and now Aleppo have all suffered significant
emigration. While there is an immediate and critical need to assist
our compatriots fleeing the conflict in Syria, [which the Foundation
is already actively engaged in] we also have obligations to provide a
vibrant `nucleus' of Armenian life for Armenians spread throughout the
world. That is why this endeavor is as important for the Diaspora as
it is for Armenia.'' In addition, RAF is working with partner
organizations to organize a job placement clearinghouse, legal and
business advisory support for recent repatriates (both
Syrian-Armenians and Armenians from around the world that have
actively expressed an interest in living and working in Armenia). In
the medium term, RAF plans formal integration programs such as
language and culture training, development of a representative network
in major Diasporan Armenian communities, as well as a broad range of
lobbying efforts to address pro-repatriation legislation in relevant
spheres. At the same time, RAF is looking forward to partnering with
existing and emerging organizations, both in Armenia and in the
Diaspora, to pool efforts related to repatriation.