On May 19, the RA Ministry of Diaspora hosted members of the local chapters of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.

Greeting the gathered, Minister Hranush Hakobyan said she was pleased to mention that the visits of members of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s local chapters to the RA Ministry of Diaspora are becoming traditional. “Thank you for your hard and consistent efforts and for taking responsibility. The Fund has helped carry out hundreds of projects that are truly impressive. I know the Armenian Diaspora very well and understand the difficulties that you face every day as you carry out projects for the Homeland and the Armenian Diaspora,” she added.

The minister attached importance to the events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, provided details of the events that have already been organized and mentioned that those events were held at a high level thanks to the unity of the Armenian people. “This year is a very important year for the Armenian nation. All of us stood united as one as we tried to hold the events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide properly. Everyone’s eyes were on Armenia, and everyone was expecting to see the events held at a high level. We were all proud, felt pain and respected the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The Armenians won’t keep silent. They will continue their struggle. Turkey shouldn’t spend money to deny and cheat others. It should compensate. There are problems that we can speak out about as a nation,” the Minister of Diaspora stressed.

The minister also talked about the cultural genocide, that is, the lost churches, schools, archives and monuments. She said the only thing left was the memory and that we Armenians must remember and demand.

The participants of the event viewed a slide show presenting the events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the Canonization of the 1.5 million innocent victims.

During the meeting, Hranush Hakobyan presented Argentine-Armenian benefactor, member of the Board of Trustees of Mekhitarist School Carlos Potigian with the first degree award that the Mekhitarist School won in the Best School competition, which is part of the Pan-Armenian Awards “For notable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity” declared by the RA Ministry of Diaspora. The minister also attached importance to the pro-national activities of the schoolteachers.

The minister presented the programs and activities of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

The attendees asked questions regarding the claims for the Armenian Genocide, as well as issues on helping young Diaspora Armenians preserve the Armenian identity and language within Armenian communities.

The members of the local chapters of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund expressed their gratitude to the Minister of Diaspora for her active participation in organizing and holding the events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and for consolidating and motivating Armenians around the world.

On May 27, the Board of Trustees of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund will hold its 24^th session. The Fund’s 25 local chapters are based in 22 countries and actively participate in and make their contributions to the activities that are carried out.

The local chapters work closely with representatives of the benevolent, ecclesiastical and non-governmental organizations of the Armenian communities in their countries of residence, as well as with well-known Diaspora Armenian figures and benefactors.