CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Five delegates from various regions of Armenia will be arriving in Boston on March 27 to participate in the Open World program of the U.S. Library of Congress, hosted by the Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Association (CYSCA). This program is managed by the Open World Leadership Center, a support agency of the Library of Congress, to enhance understanding and cooperation between the United States and the countries of Eurasia. The program aims to give the delegates significant, first-hand exposure to America’s democratic government and free-market system, and to link members of Congress to Eurasian leaders as an instrument for Americans engaged in citizen diplomacy.
During their stay in Greater Boston, the delegates will engage in a series of meetings organized under an Open World grant to CYSCA, covering the topic “NGO Management and Civic Participation.” The program includes visits with federal, state, and local legislators and their staff to learn about the U.S. legislative process, and especially how NGOs can get involved to further their interests. Under a recently enacted law in Armenia, citizens are permitted to participate in community council meetings and submit resolutions for consideration, but few citizens are aware of the procedures.
The following five NGO managers—all women—make up the group: Siranoush Hovakimyan of Yerevan, “The Future is Yours” NGO, youth organization; Gayane Mheryan of Sevan, “Technodrome” NGO, development of citizen’s education; Ruzan Mkrtchyan of Hrazdan, “Burning Star” NGO, engaged in environmental issues; Ruzanna Sargsyan of Meghri, “Women’s Resource Center” NGO, involved in women’s issues; and Narina Tahmazyan of Etchmiadzin, “Cross of Armenian Unity” NGO, assistance to orphans, vulnerable, and underprivileged children. Also joining the group is facilitator Aleksandr Shagafyan of Yerevan, a university social studies teacher and the director of the “Civitas” NGO, a center for democratic education.
The delegates will meet with U.S. Representative Edward Markey and his local staff, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and her staff, Massachusetts State Representative Jonathan Hecht and other state officials, and City of Cambridge Mayor Henrietta Davis and City Council members. They also have scheduled meetings at the Harvard University Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation and at the Hauser Center of Harvard’s JFK School of Government on topics pertaining to NGOs, civil society, and anti-corruption. They will also meet with various NGOs and civic organizations, such as the Cambridge Community Foundation, Cambridge Peace Commission, Armenian General Benevolent Union Young Professionals (AGBU-YP), Armenian Business Network (ABN), Boston Foundation, City of Cambridge Human Services Department, Third Sector New England, Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA), and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). There are also scheduled evening events with the AGBU Young Professionals, as well as a panel discussion with AIWA members.
CYSCA has recruited host families to provide housing and meals for the delegates as well as first-hand interaction with American family life. The delegates will have the opportunity to enjoy Easter Church services and family dinners with their host families. In addition, CYSCA has organized cultural activities for the delegates during their free time on the weekend, touring Boston’s historic sites, museums, and the Armenian Heritage Tribute and Genocide Memorial on Boston’s Rose Kennedy Greenway.
CYSCA’s program director, Jack Medzorian, commented, “We are excited about the opportunity to host these young leaders from Armenia. We have designed a program to give them a better understanding of their American counterparts in civic programs, and especially for them to have the chance to engage in fruitful discussions with youthful leaders in the American community on civil society and democratic governance.” The delegates will encourage return visits to Armenia to continue dialogue and establish cooperation on joint programs of mutual interest.
Since its founding by Congress in 1999, the Open World program has enabled some 18,000 current and future Eurasian leaders to experience American democracy, civil society, and community life; work with their American counterparts; stay in American homes; and gain new ideas and inspiration for implementing change back home. More than 7,100 American host families and their communities in all 50 states have partnered with Congress and the Open World Leadership Center to make this ambitious public diplomacy effort possible. The Open World program currently operates exchanges for political and civic leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
CYSCA was organized in 1987 to foster exchanges between citizens of Cambridge and Yerevan on cultural, civic, professional, educational, environmental, and business themes. These have included 10 youth exchanges/school partnerships, 19 training programs for groups of 10 professionals, Armenia school aid projects, and other citizen’s exchanges. For more information visit www.CYSCA.org or e-mail Medzorian at jmedzorian@aol.com or Project Manager Alisa Stepanian at asteoanian@aol.com.
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