European project development seminar for young Armenians generates new momentum
AGBU’s second pan-European project development seminar created renewed momentum for numerous local and transnational projects. 46 young professionals from 16 European countries gathered from May 26 to 29 in the city of Valence (France).
The four-day
event provided opportunities for learning, training, exchange,
networking, creative thinking and team-building aimed at empowering 45
young Armenian professionals from 15 countries to carry out successful
projects in the service of the community.
These young professionals are leaders or prospective leaders in a
range of groups across Europe, and have shown their ability and
motivation to contribute to promoting Armenian identity and culture as
well as helping others.
The seminar programme included sessions devoted to exchanges of
experience between groups, training in leadership and fundraising, the
development of networking, including Internet-based tools, as well as
sessions dedicated to the development of new project ideas. A total of
9 such ideas were identified and shared, ranging from networking tools
among young Armenian professionals and international exchange projects
to plans to create exhibitions and educational material. Seminar
participants also agreed on the importance of monitoring the progress
of these projects, of supporting their implementation and of sustaining
communication among them over the year, and made specific proposals on
how to do so.
The seminar took place in the city of Valence, in Southern France,
many of whose inhabitants have Armenian origins. The city of Valence
and its citizens are uniquely aware of Armenian culture, and it
maintains the only Armenian Heritage Centre in Europe managed by a
public authority. Fruitful discussions were held in particular with the
Mayor’s Deputy in charge of the Centre regarding possibilities to help
the Centre reach out to the rest of Europe by making its resources
available to young professional groups.
Seminar participants were also received by the City’s Mayor, Lena
Balsan, who emphasized how much she appreciated AGBU hosting this
international event in Valence. The seminar was made possible by the
financial support of the European Commission’s Youth Programme (EC
Agency for Education and Culture), and of the AGBU. It was organized by
AGBU’s Director of European Development, Kevin Baliozian, in
cooperation with Inside Europe Resource Centre’s director, Nicolas
Tavitian.
The AGBU Young Professionals are committed to preserving and
promoting the Armenian identity and heritage through educational,
cultural, and humanitarian programs. For more information on the AGBU
Young Professionals, please contact the AGBU YP Liaison at
ypliaison@agbu.org or (212) 319-6383.
Links:
- For more information on AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit www.agbu.org
- The European Youth Programme, at the EC Directorate General for Education and culture: ec.europa.eu/youth
- The Armenian heritage Centre in Valence is at www.patrimoinearmenien.org
