Summer interns reinforce Armenian American organizations

Published: Monday July 09, 2012

ANCA interns with NKR Representative Robert Avetisyan.

ANCA interns, AGBU interns and Eastern Diocese interns.

As in summers past, interns have arrived to participate in programs organized by Armenian organizations. This year, there are thirteen AAA and nine ANCA interns in Washington, and thirty AGBU, seven ARF and two Diocese interns in New York.

AGBU New York summer interns arrive in New York

On June 17, 30 students from Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Russia, the UK and across the US arrived in New York, ready to begin an exciting summer spent living, working, and networking in the city. Their arrival marked the beginning of the AGBU New York Summer Internship Program's 25th anniversary, which will be celebrated in July.

After settling into the NYU dorms, the interns joined NYSIP Associate Program Director, Michael Hovsepian, and this year's Activities Coordinators, Mariana Mekbekian (2008 NYSIP alum and 2011 Activities Coordinator) and Nicole Zabounian (2009 NYSIP alum) for the program's annual Welcome Dinner, where interns had the first of many opportunities to meet as a group.

The following day, Monday, June 18, the interns attended an orientation session at the AGBU Central Office. There, AGBU's Director of Digital Media and Publications, Hrag Vartanian, discussed both AGBU's proud history as a cultural and humanitarian organization, and future plans to strengthen AGBU programs around the world. He was joined by AGBU's Associate Director of Education, Natalie Gabrelian, who gave an overview of the various activities the interns have to look forward to this summer organized for them by the AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY).

Planned events include Sunshine for Seniors, an annual community service project during which interns create a talent show for the residents of the Armenian Home for the Aged in Queens; the NYSIP 25th Anniversary Celebration Mixer; and the NYSIP Mentoring Program, which pairs each intern with a young professional established in the student's field of interest who can offer sound advice and insights.

NYSIP interns began their individual internships on Tuesday, June 19, at notable companies including Merrill Lynch, New York University Medical Center, Mirrorball and The New York Resident, among others. In the upcoming weeks, the students will participate in engaging educational and cultural events, creating lifelong friendships and joining the ranks of a global AGBU network that is 25 years in the making. Stay tuned for their weekly updates at http://agbu-internship.org.

ARF interns help Armenia's Mission to the United Nations

As part of the 2012 ARF-ER sponsored summer internship program at the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations, the seven participants attended the United Nations Security Council debate on "Post-Conflict Peace Building."

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and some thirty Member States, including the Republic of Armenia, participated in the debate. The aim of the meeting was to review the peacebuilding architecture and mechanisms of the United Nations in order to better assist countries transition from states of conflict to lasting peace and sustainable development.

The Secretary General stressed that support of Member States is vital, particularly for the Peacebuilding Fund, which has proven itself as "a timely and flexible financing instrument when peacebuilding needs are most acute and when few other resources are available for early post-conflict interventions."

Armenia's Permanent Representative, Garen Nazarian, highlighted the necessity to address the specific context of each conflict. He noted that, in some instances, "[The] economic cooperation and interaction could be a valuable confidence-building measure often leading to political adhesion." The ambassador further mentioned that the donor countries and international financial institutions could implement various regional initiatives and programs aimed at the expansion of geographic areas of cooperation and the achievement of greater interaction.

While observing the discussion, it became clear that Armenia's participation was crucial considering the political developments after the 1994 cease-fire agreement among the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. These developments offer opportunity for the expansion and institutionalization of economic interaction between affected societies and countries under the auspices of the United Nations Post-Conflict Peacebuilding initiatives.

Diocese welcomes summer interns

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is pleased to announce that two interns-Kiersten Johnston and Maral Firkatian Wozniak-have joined the Diocesan team for an eight-week summer program.

The interns will assist with projects in the Diocese's Communications Department and the Fund for Armenian Relief. In addition, they will take part in a spiritual and educational program, which includes morning prayer, Bible-study sessions, weekly lunch meetings with area clergy, and Armenian-language instruction.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, and members of the Diocesan Council welcomed the interns to the Diocese on Tuesday, June 26. "It's wonderful to have young people who are interested in learning about our church join our Diocesan family for the summer months," Archbishop Barsamian said. "The internship program is a good opportunity for participants to build on their skills while gaining a deeper understanding of their faith and a familiarity with the operations of the Diocesan Center."

Kiersten Johnston, 18, of St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, N.J., will work in the Communications Department, where she will write for the Diocesan e-newsletter, blog, and website, and learn about video production.

An English and communications major at Fordham University in New York, Kiersten attends services at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in Manhattan during the academic year. She has volunteered for the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, where she helped build a house in a village in the Armavir region.