The results of the work done by participants of the Diaspora Youth Ambassador program for 2023-24 in the first quarter of the work in communities phase has been summarized.

They were carried out in 4 main directions: informative meetings with community representatives in order to present the program, as well as other programs with the involvement of Diaspora Armenians in Armenia and to expand the scope of those interested in them, forming collaborations and holding joint online meetings with Armenian structures, meetings with ambassadors, consuls and clergy of the Republic of Armenian, hosting youth ambassadors on various media platforms, etc.

Within the framework of community meetings, Diaspora Youth Ambassadors presented the program, goals, and their initiatives, along with the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs: iGorts, Step Toward Home, DiasPro, the Repatriation and Integration Center. Next they presented the activities of project partners Jinishian Memorial Foundation. Then they presented foundations: MAM educational movement, Birthright Armenia, Repat Armenia, The Armenian Project, Teach for Armenia, Armenian Volunteer Corps and other partner organizations operating in various areas of Armenia-Diaspora collaboration.

Diaspora Youth Ambassador of Marseille, Luiza Hakobyan, met with the Chairman of the Board of Barsamian School in Nice, Kirkor Azhterkhanyan, Chairman of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Associations in Cote d'Azur, Vahagn Movsesyan, as well as with the President of the Republican party in the Nice, Eric Siott, members, teachers, active community youth, as well as students from the school.

Luiza provided organizational support for the event titled "Social Investments in Armenia as a Stimulus for Social and Economic Development," organized by Impact Hub Yerevan and the French branch of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) in Marseille, where she presented the reArmenia platform which aims to solve various problems by utilizing the knowledge, experience, connections, and finances of Armenians worldwide.

Diaspora Youth Ambassador of Koblenz, Germany, Argine Badalyan, founder of the Monte Armenian Educational Center, within the framework of the celebration of the 2nd anniversary of the Educational Center, presented Astghik Antonyan (Stuttgart) and Anna Asa-Ghazaryan (Munich) to the ambassadors of the 2023-2024 program in two other German cities, as well as prospects for collaboration with them and with graduates of the program from Germany, who will serve to develop and strengthen the Armenian communities of Germany.

Argine Badalyan and Astghik Antonyan attended the annual youth winter meeting organized by the ARI youth organization in Lüneburg, which was attended by 80 young Armenians from different regions of Germany.

In Munich, at the Armenian Community Union of Bavaria, Anna Asa֊Ghazaryan, one of the Diaspora Youth Ambassadors in Germany, met with members of the Union and active community youth. These meetings will continue and provide an opportunity for representatives from the community to regularly receive information about the projects implemented in Armenia both by the Office and for the Diaspora in general.

Representatives of Germany from all years of the Diaspora Youth Ambassador program Astghik Antonyan (Stuttgart), Anna Asa-Ghazaryan (Munich), and Argine Badalyan (Koblenz), 2021 participant Marie Hunanyan (Cologne), and 2022 participant Karina Vartanyan (Hamburg) discussed the progress of the program and exchanged experiences at an online meeting.

Ginush Arakelyan, Diaspora Youth Ambassador of Spain, took part in an event organized by the Armenian Cultural Association of Barcelona (ACAB) at Casa Armenia, which was attended by youth, leaders of the Barcelona Armenian community, and board members of ACAB. They also got acquainted with the Diaspora Youth Ambassador program. The audience showed a particular interest in repatriation, integration, and volunteer initiatives, highlighting the relevance of fostering connections with the homeland and strengthening ties with their heritage.

The details of the program were presented at the meeting held between the Ambassador of Armenia to Belgium, Tigran Balayan, and the representatives of Armenian youth unions, which was attended by the Diaspora Youth Ambassador of Belgium, Tigran Hovhannisyan. The Youth Ambassador emphasized in his speech the importance of frequently organizing cultural and educational activities in the Armenian centers of Belgium in collaboration with youth groups, which will ensure the involvement and activity of the community.

The Diaspora Youth Ambassador of Seville, Emil Petrosyan, presented to the community the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs within the framework of the Christmas event. The spiritual pastor of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Andalusia, Reverend Father Toros Esayan, attended the event in Seville and gave his blessing in order to conduct the liturgy.

Robert Margaryan, Diaspora Youth Ambassador of Canada, held online and offline informational meetings with representatives of the Armenian communities of Edmonton and nearby cities. The meetings were attended by members of the community who are interested in various organizations and services operating in the Diaspora and Armenia.

Diaspora Youth Ambassador to Brazil, Abraham Kulajian, met with the community youth and students of the Armenian school in the Armenian community of São Paulo, and also had private meetings with Honorary Consul Mrs. Hilda Diruhy Burmaian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil, Bishop Nareg Berberian.

In order to emphasize the active work of representatives of the Diaspora and strengthen ties between various organizations and communities, Diaspora Youth Ambassador of Anapa, Svetlana Minasaryan held a discussion meeting with the youth team, representatives of the Cultural Center and community members. Inesa Rubinyan (Uppsala, Sweden) and Karen Muradyan (Minsk, Belarus), 2021 Diaspora Youth Ambassadors, also joined the discussion.

Diaspora Youth Ambassadors Mane Hovakimyan and Ruzanna Avagyan presented the educational program "Step Toward Home" for Diaspora Armenian youth at the Spiritual and Enlightenment Center after the Lazaryan family in St. Petersburg. The event began with the blessing from Rev. Ephrem Zargaryan, the spiritual leader of St. Petersburg Armenians.

At the Armenian Sunday school of the Penza Armenian National-Cultural Autonomy, the Diaspora Youth Ambassador of Penza, Naira Baghdasarian, met with the school director, students, and their parents. After the presentation of the programs, an agreement was reached on further active work in autonomy and cooperation within the framework of the program.

In Tver, Diaspora Youth Ambassador Kristina Aleksanyan met with representatives of the Tver Armenian National-Cultural Autonomy "ARARAT” and "Urartu" Youth Organization. Throughout the event, participants showed keen interest in the showcased programs, emphasizing the advancement of autonomy and the ongoing efforts to strengthen connections with Armenia.

The Diaspora Youth Ambassadors were also hosted on various media platforms, both within Diaspora communities and in Armenia.

The work of the Diaspora Youth Ambassadors continues and is regularly covered on the program’s Facebook page. See link below:

https://www.facebook.com/DiasporaYouthAmbassador