News

Dear friends,

We would like to report you on Jinishian Memorial Foundation’s Kessab fundraising initiative which would not happen without your generous support. So far, from the raised amount of $34,729 the amount of $23,087 was used to assist more than thousand Kessabian Armenians in Syria and Lebanon. The remaining amount of $11,642 will be used to assist the Armenians who are currently returning back to Kessab to take care of their basic needs. The report on this part will be provided later.

For more details, please, follow the links below:

Interim Report on Kessab Fundraising

List of Beneficiaries from Syria and Lebanon

The University Students’ National Debate Championship was organized by the Jinishian Memorial Foundation on November 14 and 15, 2013 in Yerevan in collaboration and support of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the US Embassy in Yerevan. The championship was between the students’ teams from Yerevan and RA Marzes (Gyumri, Kapan, Vanadzor, Ijevan, Goris and Gavar) who all gathered in Yerevan for the final debates. During the two days of the championship the students debated and defended their views on important civic issues such as the education shall be paid, the state shall finance youth wings of political parties.

On February 11, March 3 and 4 the JMF organized series of seminars on one of the YES Interschool debate topics of 2014: Forced relocation of local population for extraction of natural resources is justified. Seminar was conducted by Arpine Galfayan, the head of the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights NGO. At the beginning of the seminar students had the chance to get familiar with each other and go through an icebreaking game. The latter was followed with a small presentation on the topic, where students have learned how the availability of natural resource and the level of countries development are interconnected, in which cases the relocation is justified and what issues can arise as a result. 

On February 3, 10 and 13 more than 100 pupils and 10 teachers from Armavir, Dalarik, Echmiadzin, Qarakert, Lernagog, Metsamor and Sevan beneficiary schools of the Youth Engaged in Society 2013-2014 project were invited to a civic seminar at the OSCE office in Yerevan. The head of the democratization unit of the OSCE office in Yerevan, Oliver McCoy hosted them. During 1,5 hour meeting Mr. McCoy talked about the history, structure, goals and missions of the OSCE and the OSCE office in Yerevan.

On October 23rd and 24th  “Youth Engaged in Society 2013-2014” project beneficiaries /52 pupils and 11 teachers/ from Aparan, Shenavan, Talin, Mastara, Nerqin Bazmaberd, Gulaգarak, Urut, Sverdlov and Yerevan schools were invited to a civic seminar at the OSCE office in Yerevan. The head of the democratization unit of the OSCE office in Yerevan, Oliver McCoy hosted them. During 1,5 hour meeting Mr. McCoy talked about the history, structure, goals and mission of the OSCE and the OSCE office in Yerevan.

On November 11th and 12th the Jinishian Memorial Foundation organized two visits to the National Assembly for the YES beneficiary students from high schools of Vanadzor and Gyumri. Almost 60 students participated in these seminars. In the frames of these visits students had an opportunity to be present at the parliamentary session. President of the RA National Assembly, Hovik Abrahamyan greeted our students, which created a wave of excitement within our group.

Maro Asatryan, the head of Information Department, recounted the history of National Assembly and walked the children through the building. Students had an opportunity to enter the main hall of the Parliament building.

On September 29, 2013 the Jinishian Memorial Foundation (JMF) Armenia’s 20th anniversary celebration took place at the “Cross of Armenia Unity” NGO’s open space in Echmiadzin city. US Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP) Executive director, members of JMP US and JMF Armenia Advisory Committees, staff members, partners and beneficiaries were present at the event.

The Cross of Armenia Unity NGO president Grigor Babakhanyan, the JMP  Executive Director Eliza Minasyan, the JMF Armenia Director Armen Hakobyan, the member of the JMP US advisory committee Victoria Gehrt  and member of the JMF Armenia advisory committee Sister Arousiag Sajonyan delivered welcoming speeches  and thanked the guests for sharing with the JMF the delight of the day.

The “Youth Engaged in Society 2013-2014” (YES) launched in September 2013. The project goal is to create new debate clubs and continue the activities of existing debate clubs in different regions of Armenia. The YES project is being implemented and financed by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, the World Vision Armenia and the Jinishian Memorial Foundation. There are 130 schools involved in this project representing 8 regions of Armenia – Shirak, Lori, Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Gegharkunik, Armavir, Ararat and Syunik, 15 cities – Ashtarak, Aparan, Talin, Artashat, Masis, Armavir, Echmiadzin, Metsamor, Gavar, Vardenis, Sevan, Vanadzor, Abovyan, Hrazdan, Gyumri and 14 village communities – Qarakert, Lernagog, Dalarik, Arteni, Gyulagarak, Urut, Sverdlov, Mets Masriq, Shenavan, Nerqin Bazmaberd, Mastara, Sarnakunq, Brnakot and Shinuhayr.

The Jinishian Memorial Foundation in cooperation with the World Vision Armenia implements “Vardenis Develpment Initiative” project.

As a part of the strategic objectives directed to the development of Vardenis area communities and the requirements of the mentioned program the Jinishian Memorial Foundation and the World Vision Armenia announce a Grant Competition among the following communities of Vardenis region:

The Jinishian Memorial Foundation in partnership with the “CARD Agro-Credit” Universal Credit Organization and the Open Society Institute Foundation has been implementing “Cooperation in Providing Financial Services to Selected Farmer Cooperatives” program.

As a part of the strategic objectives of the organization and the requirements of the mentioned program the Jinishian Memorial Foundation announces Corporate Social Responsibility Grant Competition.