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Manana Youth Center Wins Major UN Democracy Fund Grant in 2013

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  • Manana Youth Center Wins Major UN Democracy Fund Grant in 2013

    PRESS RELEASE
    The Paros Foundation
    918 Parker Street, Suite A14
    Berkeley, CA 94710
    Contact: Peter Abajian
    Tel: (310) 400-9061
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Web: http://www.parosfoundation.org/


    MANANA YOUTH CENTER WINS MAJOR UNITED NATIONS DEMOCRACY FUND GRANT IN 2013
    Multimedia Education Program Expands Countrywide


    YEREVAN, ARMENIA--The Manana Youth Center won a major two-year grant from
    the United Nation's Democracy Fund, which enables the Manana Youth Center
    to conduct a dozens of weeklong multimedia workshops for children
    throughout Armenia.

    "We have been working towards the goal of enabling all of country's young
    people to benefit from our proven educational programs." Said Ruzan
    Baghdasaryan, Executive Director of the Manana Youth Center. "Our
    workshops will introduce basic skills in the areas of journalism,
    photojournalism and filmmaking."

    Participants, under the supervision of our expert instructors, produced
    films, shot photos and conducted interviews. An exhibition and film
    screening was held in Gyumri in the fall to feature Manana student's works
    from the various regions. In 2014, these workshops will continue and a
    curated final exhibition will be held in Yerevan.

    In August, Manana Youth Center organized a crowd funding campaign on
    Indiegogo and raised $5,000 for *Sand Animals*. The students of the Manana
    Animation Studio are currently implementing this animation project.

    "This is the seventh year The Paros Foundation is providing support to the
    Manana Youth Center in the form of a grant for operational funding and
    quality program and office space. Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director
    of The Paros Foundation. "It is inspiring that the Manana team has
    attracted prestigious funding for their training and the development of
    specific creative projects. Providing these opportunities for Armenia's
    children encourages a young persons curiosity and his or her ability to
    express themselves."

    Other 2013 milestones included the presentation of two feature film
    documentaries at the Golden Apricot International Film Festival by Manana
    Films, the film production division of Manana Youth Center.

    *The Beginnings*, a co-production documentary with Turkey, directed by
    Somnur Vardar, and *Hit The Road: India* - a travel adventure documentary,
    recognized later as an amazing adventure film of 2013 by Vimeo and Vanity
    Fair Italy were both well received by audiences. *Hit The Road: India* is
    now being successfully distributed via major digital platforms and will be
    broadcasted by several TV channels in 2014. The Manana film *Everyone, who
    will meet me*, won the Highlight Award at Young Filmmaker International
    Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    The Manana Youth Center is located in Yerevan, Armenia and provides
    multimedia training and afterschool education to 75 students ages 8 to 18
    in the areas of filmmaking, journalism, photography and animation. Children
    engage in these hands-on activities, but most importantly, the skills they
    learn greatly improve their critical thinking.

    In 2014 funding is needed to upgrade their equipment and to expand the
    program for an additional 20 children. The Manana Youth Center depends on
    support from the community and donors to meet its important mission. To
    get involved please contact Peter Abajian (310) 400-9061; and, to
    contribute please visit www.mananayouth.org. Support from The Paros
    Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing donor
    contributions to be allocated directly to Manana's student programs.

    ###

    --
    Warmest regards,
    Peter J. Abajian
    Executive Director
    Paros Foundation
    (093) 99-80-99 From US dial 011-374-93-99-80-99
    US Cell (310) 400-9061
    [email protected]

    Be sure to visit our website at www.paros-foundation.org

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