Armenian Minister of Diasporan Affairs Visits AGBU Groups in Argentina, Brazil and California

On November 10, 2008, the newly appointed Minister of Diasporan Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Hranush Hakobyan, traveled to Argentina to become acquainted with local Armenian organizations and she made a special stop at the AGBU Center on Armenia Street. His Excellency Vladimir Karmirshalian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Argentina, and his wife, Anahid Sharbatyan, hosted Minister Hakobyan during her stay.

The Minister and her hosts stopped by the AGBU Marie Manoogian School, where they were greeted by Principal Diana Dergarabetian de Perez Valderrama and school staff, as well as Representative Sergio Nahabetian, a local politician and president of the South American Democratic Liberal Armenian Organization. The group discussed different aspects of Armenia-diaspora relations, and the possibility for new ministry opportunities created by Armenia's leadership. Many stressed the value of uniting voices across the Armenian diaspora and the importance of tourism to Armenia as a means of fostering good relations. Hakobyan later praised the Argentines for working to promote the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in their home country.

"My forefathers dreamed of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and I feel a warm satisfaction in having achieved this goal in the Buenos Aires province," Hakobyan said. "We are not a vengeful people but we demand justice."

On November 15, Hakobyan arrived in Sao Paolo, Brazil for a three-night stay. On November 16, she attended an official dinner attended by 120 guests, including local congressman Arnaldo Faria de Sá. The dinner was preceded by an official meeting where Hakobyan met with Armenian community leaders from across the country.

On November 21, Hakobyan departed for the United States of America and, upon her arrival, she and the Republic of Armenia's Consul General Armen Liloyan were greeted by several AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School officials and board members, including Noubar Agopian, John Berberian and Vice Principal Dr. Ellie Andreassian. Executives from Armenia Fund USA, including Chairwoman Maria Mehranian, Vice Chairman Ara Aghishian and Director Sarkis Kotanjian, also welcomed Minister Hakobyan and her staff to the school.

A brief meeting, which included a candid question-and-answer session between the diaspora minister and several staff and faculty representatives, student council executives and members of the Parent Teacher Organization and Booster Club, was held in the school's library shortly after her arrival. During this session, she explained the mission of the minister of diaspora affairs of the Republic of Armenia, and a variety of other important issues were also discussed. Armenian language and culture teachers expressed concern about the lack of modern Armenian storybooks, to which the minister responded that educational programs are now being put into place with the latest technology to resolve such concerns.

After the discussion, the Minister toured the classrooms and was treated to a special poetry recitation from the school's fifth graders. She also visited Armenian-language classrooms in the high school and saw the newly renovated Nazarian Hall.

"Many years ago, I visited this school and when I was leaving, I was worried that students would grow up as Americans without a sense of their Armenian heritage," the Minister said at the end of her visit. "Today, I am leaving with the satisfaction that the students are true Armenians and are doing a great job and are on the right track."