How Armenian-Americans can support Armenia is focus of New York forum

Published: Tuesday November 17, 2009

New York - How can talented Armenian-American professionals help to build up the Republic of Armenia? On November 10 in New York City, this question was the focus of a forum hosted by the Armenian Club of Fordham University, in cooperation with the Armenian Assembly of America and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Researcher (NAASR).

Engineer Leo Manuelian, with his wife Sona, described his work since 2003 as leader of teams of volunteers for the Fuller Center to build homes in rural Armenia. Using his own video, Mr. Manuelian displayed how his team helped build homes and the center financed them with interest-free loans. Mr. Manuelian is also active in the Knights of Vartan, and recently addressed the United Nations Committee on Human Settlements about the Fuller Center.

Dr. Garo Khanarian of Dow Chemical, offered a presentation on the pioneering work of the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) to develop "Care4sevan" and other renewable energy projects in Armenia. Formed in California in 1983, AESA now has branches across the USA, including the New York/New Jersey section, which meets monthly.

The discussant was Professor Samvel Jeshmaridian of the City University of New Yotk, formerly of the Academy of Sciences in Yerevan, who described the vital role of these talented diaspora Armenians in supporting the Republic through a perilous period.

Future forums will focus on the work of the Armenian Mission to the United Nations, and the work of the Megerian Rug Company in Armenia.