The advisory board under the RA Minister of Diaspora held a session on Mar. 28. The session was moderated by RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan.

Member of the advisory board, NKR Minister of Culture Narine Aghabalyan presented the results of her recent working visits to France and Greece and mentioned that the French city of Vien and the Hadrut city of Nagorno-Karabakh have signed a Proclamation of Friendship. Aghabalyan attached importance to the signing of such memoranda between Artsakh and different cities of foreign countries in the process of recognition of the NKR and the cooperation with the RA Ministry of Diaspora in this context.

Head of the Department for Relations with Pan-Armenian, International and Ecclesiastical Organizations Kamo Sargsyan delivered a report on the completion and organization of the “Days of New Julfa” Program within the scope of the “Community Days in Armenia” Program and the content-based issues. Sargsyan briefly presented the history of the community and the program events. Singer Anna Mayilyan proposed to include the concert featuring performances of the songs by Iranian-Armenian composers organized at her initiative and the showing of works by Iranian-Armenian painters. All members of the advisory board accepted the proposal.

Chief of Staff of the RA Ministry of Diaspora Firdus Zakaryan delivered a report on the preparations for the 2014 “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora aimed at helping Diaspora Armenian youth become familiar with the homeland. Zakaryan also presented the changes that had been made in this year’s program, according to which the participants will have the chance to visit an Armenian company.

The RA Ministry of Diaspora and Birthright Armenia/Depi Hayk Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. Birthright Armenia/Depi Hayk Foundation offers free Armenian language courses, tours and seminars. Founded in 2004, Birthright Armenia/Depi Hayk Foundation provides 20-32-year old Diaspora Armenian youth with the opportunity to participate in daily life in Armenia and make their contributions to the homeland’s advancement through volunteerism, as well as establish contacts in the homeland and conduct their internships. The Depi Hayk Program will be the continuation of the “Ari Tun” Program. For the first time ever, the program will bring together 80 young Armenians from the NKR (during the camp days). In light of the declaration of Sisyan as the “Capital of Youth”, 15 children from Sisyan will participate in the camping event.

A group of 45 adult, Islamized, Kurdish-speaking Armenians from the Turkish city of Dersim will also participate in the program.

NKR Minister of Culture Narine Aghabalyan expressed willingness to host the 80 participants in Artsakh.

Head of the Department for Armenian Communities of the Near East and Middle East Lusine Stepanyan summed up the 2013 integration program for Diaspora Armenians, as well as presented the content for this year’s program and the upcoming events. Stepanyan also presented the programs and events that have been carried out and the several legal amendments that have been made to support the Syrian-Armenians.

Editor-in-Chief of the “Hayern Aysor” online newspaper of the RA Ministry of Diaspora Hayk Karapetyan delivered a report on the activities of the staff at “Hayern Aysor” from 1 March 2013 to 1 March 2014. Karapetyan talked about the efforts aimed at improving the online website, the progress that has been made and the future plans.