After an invigorating week of meetings and inaugurations, AGBU is excited to post the following album filled with hundreds of photos documenting its 87th General Assembly. Delegates and supporters totaling over 300 from 26 countries spent a full week in Armenia and Karabakh from October 14 to 21, 2012, celebrating the organization’s many accomplishments and planning ahead for a challenging future.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/agbu/collections/72157631913503978/

Click here to download the PDF (3.24MB) of the October 2012 edition of AGBU Melbourne’s Nor Tsayn Newsletter.

There’s just no debating it: students of the AGBU Alexander Primary School in Sydney, Australia, are some of the strongest public speakers in their district.

This month, for the eighth year in a row, the school’s debate team took home the winning title in the Forest District Interschool Debating Competition. During what was at times a nail-biting event, each student delivered strong arguments and rebuttals while friends and family proudly looked on. They finally scored winning points when they were presented with the topic “wisdom is better than strength.” Their reply – that wisdom may bring success in life, but it’s useless without strength of character – put the trophy in their hands. Mrs. Meaghan Terrey, the team coordinator, praised the group, remarking, “I am justly proud of their efforts and congratulate them on their researching of the topics, their presentation and delivery skills. They have learned a great deal.” She also noted that all the school’s students played an important role in supporting the team – and they all look forward to celebrating together!

AGBU is now accepting applications for its 2013 Summer Internship Program, putting the amazing opportunity to live and work in the world’s most exciting cities within reach for Armenian college students.

Each internship program destination – Moscow, New York and Yerevan – offers participants something different, but equally rewarding. In Yerevan, students meet with government officials who are leading the country into the future, while tours of Armenia’s historical landmarks and a four-day journey to Karabakh bring them closer to their past. In Moscow, participants attend seminars with executives at global companies and look forward to a mid-summer trip to St. Petersburg, a favorite annual tradition. In New York, a series of social events and networking activities give meaning to the phrase “the city that never sleeps.”

No matter what city they’re in, AGBU interns are always among their diasporan peers, who quickly become lifelong friends. They’re also positioning themselves for careers – in recent years, AGBU proudly congratulated many interns who were offered jobs at their host institutions. Wherever their internships take them, every student leaves the program with the resources, skills, and strong resumes they need to succeed.

For more information on the AGBU Summer Internship Program, please visit: http://agbu-internship.org/ or call (212) 319-6383.

The competitive selective process is already underway. All interested students are urged to apply now. Scholarships are awarded based on need and academic merit.

Application deadlines and contact information for each program are listed in the ad here.

Later that night during the farewell dinner, hundreds of AGBU guests, inspired by all that they saw and learned this past week, donated and pledged $250,000 on the spot toward the AGBU Syria Emergency Relief Fund. AGBU is continuing its efforts in Syria to help the greater Armenian community caught in a realm of chaos overwhelming the country and you can help by donating here.

More exciting coverage and photos to come, but in the meantime, enjoy this video with highlights from the spectacular concert sponsored by AGBU at the Karen Demirchian Sports & Concert Complex in Yerevan on October 19, 2012, which was attended by RA President & First Lady Serj and Rita Sargsyan, and a number of high-ranking dignitaries. http://youtu.be/Uwd90O_SPV8 Performers included Shusan Petrosyan, the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the AGBU Nork Children’s Center students and more.

Click here to download the PDF (2.64MB) of the August 2012 AGBU Armenia Newsletter.

AGBU President Berge Setrakian gave his much-anticipated State of the Union address to launch the two days of Chapter and YP meetings that began yesterday morning at the American University of Armenia (AUA), and later led the AGBU delegation to Holy Etchmiadzin to witness the inauguration of the Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Library (Madenataran), attended by RA President and First Lady Serzh and Rita Sargsyan, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and of course the benefactors themselves.

Along with Central Board and Europe District members, Setrakian also attended the opening of the new library at the French University of Armenia, which was funded by AGBU.

After last night’s gala banquet at Florence Restaurant, everyone was enthused and ready for another full day, which began earlier this morning with a visit to Armenia’s Parliament. National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan addressed the AGBU delegates.

More coverage to come next week as we highlight more events with even more photos. Stay tuned!

Halloween is just around the corner in North America, and AGBU’s youngest members are already playing dress up together. Last Sunday, close to 40 parents and children met at the famous Bronx Zoo in New York for AGBU’s very first “Boo at the Zoo” event, one of the many seasonal activities organized for youth ages eight and under by Camp Nubar Kids. Blue skies and perfect weather kept everyone outdoors and on the zoo’s carousel. With every spin it took, another superhero, Disney character, or athlete went by – and though the AGBU kids weren’t dressed like themselves, their laughter and smiles were unmistakably their own.

Camp Nubar is also looking forward to a full year of fun as it prepares to celebrate its much-anticipated 50th anniversary. An exciting Parents’ Night Out is planned for November 1 in New Jersey. Visit the Camp Nubar site for all the details and more.

Day five of the week leading up to AGBU’s 87th General Assembly in Yerevan proved to be one of the most eventful – and emotional – yet. This morning, a procession of AGBU delegates led by AGBU President Berge Setrakian arrived at the city’s Dzidzernagapert memorial. Together, the representatives encircled the eternal flame, laying flowers alongside it as they paid their respects to the countless victims of the Armenian Genocide. They then continued to tour the adjacent museum, where they reviewed exhibits that document the horrific atrocities of the Armenian Genocide and tell inspiring stories of survival.

Later in the day, AGBU supporters attended the grand opening of AGBU Hye Geen’s newest Pregnant Women’s Center, after getting a sneak preview of the new AGBU Yerevan headquarters, which is currently under construction. After a mid-afternoon break, the group departed for the AGBU Nork Children’s Center, where singing, dancing, and acrobatic performances caused everyone to break out into cheers and applause. After the sun set, the talents of more youth were showcased at the TUMO Center – the media institute initiated by AGBU Central Board member Sam Simonian – with an open-air concert featuring the TUMOrchestra and the hit rock band, Dorians. More photos and clips from the show are on their way!

As AGBU President Berge Setrakian noted, “It is not by accident that AGBU’s General Assembly will convene this year in our motherland. The challenges – and opportunities – facing our people are many. Delegates will become more closely acquainted with our programs and the shared responsibility our worldwide membership carries in sustaining our vital mission in support of Armenia and Karabakh.”

Ways AGBU will continue to enhance development in Karabakh was on the agenda yesterday morning when Setrakian, accompanied by Chairman of the AGBU Armenian Representation Managing Committee, Ashot Ghazarian and AGBU Central Board members, met with Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan. During the meeting, which was attended by Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Barkev Martirosyan, AGBU Central Board member Vasken Yacoubian and AGBU representatives, President Sahakyan gave an overview of Karabakh’s current political climate and prospects for socio-economic growth. He also praised AGBU for its commitment to maintaining the Armenian national identity in the diaspora and for advocating for Karabakh internationally. Before the meeting came to a close, Sahakyan opened the floor to the AGBU delegates, addressing questions and concerns.

Meanwhile, back in Yerevan, delegates and guests were continuing to arrive in Armenia. Those who had not traveled to Karabakh joined in yesterday’s city-wide celebrations in honor of Erebuni-Yerevan’s 2,794th anniversary. Flags, banners and decorations adorned the capital and roads were closed, transforming downtown into pedestrian walkways where everyone could enjoy public exhibits. The day concluded with outdoors concerts and fireworks, setting a festive tone for the many AGBU-sponsored events that will take place across the capital in the coming days. Stay tuned for more updates from the ground as the week gets underway!