Her Side of History
Lerna Ekmekcioglu brings Armenian womenís voices out of the shadows
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November 15, 2010
Young Professionals Have Round-Table Discussion with U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie L. Yovanovitch
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United States Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, Marie L. Yovanovitch (center), with the six executive members of the AGBU Young Professionals (YP) of Los Angeles Steering Committee.
On October 11, 2010, six executive members of the AGBU Young Professionals (YP) of Los Angeles Steering Committee were called to an exclusive round-table discussion with United States Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, Marie L. Yovanovitch. The round-table discussion was initiated by the Ambassador in an effort to meet with young AGBU leadership and exchange views on current issues, including developments in Armenia, United States relations with the Republic of Armenia, U.S. assistance to Armenia, and the work AGBU carries out locally and abroad.
Publicist and executive member of AGBU YPLA, Aleen L. Khanjian, said, "This was a tremendously satisfying experience. The Ambassador's candidness in sharing her encounters with locals in Armenia, as well as the needs of the people in our homeland, was beyond educational. I commend her efforts to meet with young Armenians, such as ourselves. I especially appreciate the sympathetic ear she lent when I expressed my frustrations as a young diasporan. The self-imposed pressure to preserve my heritage and culture while living in the United States can be emotionally arduous at times. She provided that ‘light at the end of the tunnel' that I often so desperately struggle to see." The young professionals thoroughly enjoyed the open discussion the Ambassador invited. "All in all, this meeting provided a unique opportunity to discuss Armenian issues with a non-Armenian diplomat who is genuinely invested in matters relating to Armenia and its future," added Khanjian.
Marie L. Yovanovitch is the present Ambassador from the United States to Armenia. Her term of appointment commenced in August of 2008; she previously served as ambassador to Kyrgyzstan. Ambassador Yovanovitch traveled through the United States, visiting Armenians in Philadelphia, Detroit, as well as San Francisco. The Ambassador also met with senior AGBU leadership during this trip to Los Angeles. This was her second visit with Southern California AGBU members since June of 2009, when she visited the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center in Pasadena, CA.
YPLA is the Los Angeles Chapter of the AGBU Young Professionals--a growing network of individuals, between the ages of 22 and 40, who individually and collectively mirror the AGBU's mission to preserve and promote Armenian identity and heritage by adding dimensions to the lives of young professional Armenians through educational, cultural, social and humanitarian programs. YPLA puts on monthly activities including social-networking and professional career-building events, signature weekend getaways, hiking and camping trips, international video-conferences, service-oriented activities targeted toward Armenian youth, benefit events, as well as casual get-togethers, where up to 250 young Armenians can come together to exchange ideas and get to know each other better. YPLA is always looking for individuals who would like to volunteer their time either as a board member or on an event-by-event basis. For more information on how to get involved with YPLA, please visit: http://www.agbuypla.org
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