Lory in Ha! Ha! Land
The divine comedy of writer, actor, and producer Lory Tatoulian
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June 22, 2009
AGBU and United Nations Development Programme Fundraise for Gyumri State Technical College
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Event speakers His Excellency Armen Martirosyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN, and Ian Bremmer, Founder and President of Eurasia Group, (both center) with members of the AGBU-UN Special Interest Group at the June 11 fundraiser at the Megerian Rug Gallery in New York.
The AGBU-United Nations Special Interest Group (UN-SIG), working in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted its second benefit reception in support of UNDP Armenia's Vocational Education and Training (VET) Project on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at the Megerian Rug Gallery in New York City. Approximately eighty guests were present at the event, including AGBU and UN dignitaries.
UNDP in Armenia, with the financial help of the Government of Denmark, launched the "Modernization of Vocational Education and Training System" Project, aimed at strengthening and enhancing the vocational-technical education in Armenia. AGBU, in its commitment to education, partnered with UNDP to raise funds for socially disadvantaged students at Gyumri State Technical College. The College specializes in the training of railway technical staff and is the only institution of this specialty in Armenia. Currently, more than 36,000 students are enrolled in Armenia's vocational education schools. These students are underserved due to inadequate school facilities, a lack of educational materials, and other shortcomings.
"The AGBU-UN SIG is proud to help sponsor UNDP's VET Project," stated Yelena Ambartsumian, AGBU's Main Representative to the UN. "We feel that it is a very worthwhile program, because of its focus on education and channeling assistance to the regions of Armenia." The benefit reception raised approximately $4,000, which will cover tuition debts of 20 high-achieving students at Gyumri State Technical College.
The benefit reception included remarks by His Excellency Armen Martirosyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN, an address by Lousia Vinton, Senior Program Manager and Team Leader, UNDP Western CIS and Caucasus, and an engaging speech by Ian Bremmer, Founder and President of Eurasia Group. Dr. Bremmer's comments and view of the current global situation, from Armenia to Iran, North Korea to China, captivated and thoroughly entertained the audience.
During the reception, guests were treated to music provided by DJ Ash Krikorian. As a special gift, each guest received a signed copy of Bremmer's book "The Fat Tail: The Power of Political Knowledge for Strategic Investing."
Megerian Rugs (www.megerianrugs.com) graciously offered their gallery to host the benefit reception and donated a handmade rug, created in Karabakh, which was featured in a silent auction at the event.
To make a donation or for general inquiries, please visit agbu.org/un. To view photos from the event, visit flickr.com/agbu.
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