For Immediate Release ~ April 26, 2007
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian ~ 818-243-6222
Mountain View, CA - Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region was represented at the World Affairs Council’s 6th Annual Global Philanthropy Forum held at the headquarters of Google in the Silicon Valley. The three day conference, held from April 11-13, 2007, attracted more than 450 representatives of national and international NGOs and organizations that have programs designed to end rural poverty and global warming in different corners of the world. The Forum brings together foundation leaders, individual donors, social investors, and agents of change to learn more about opportunities for international philanthropy. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton on behalf of the Clinton Foundation was present at the conference.
Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Ambassador John J. Danilovich was also present and delivered the keynote address highlighting MCC’s goal of reducing poverty in countries like Armenia. The Millennium Challenge Compact for Armenia envisions $235.5 million aimed at revitalizing the rural infrastructure through the construction of roads and irrigation networks interlinking the regions.
Sarkis Kotanjian, Public Relations Director of Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region, met with Danilovich during the conference. He thanked Danilovich and the Millennium Challenge Corporation for including Armenia as a beneficiary country. Upon learning that Armenia Fund’s Village Development Program in Armenia will augment the direct impact of the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s projects, Danilovich welcomed and commended Armenia Fund’s efforts in Armenia and pledged to work closely with the organization. Kotanjian thanked the Ambassador for his support of Armenia Fund and welcomed the idea of working together with the aim of fighting rural poverty in Armenia’s borderline villages. Kotanjian also presented Armenia Fund to the participants and its 15-year history of bringing positive change to the lives of thousands in Armenia.
Armenia Fund’s Village Development Program will work towards reducing rural poverty through a comprehensive regional development program that entails the construction of schools, healthcare facilities, agricultural development and other socio-economic programs. The plan encompasses Armenia’s 159 borderline villages in regional development clusters. Several villages will be linked together in an attempt to better coordinate their social and economic activities. Armenia’s fertile agricultural lands and strategic location in Eurasia carries the potential to restore its vital role as a regional economic hub. Additionally, the plan envisions to aggressively stimulate agricultural development through microfinance lending for local farmers in the battered regions. The Village Development Program is pending the formal approval of Armenia Fund’s International Board of Trustees Meeting in June of this year.
"I welcome Ambassador Danilovich's words of support. The participants of the Global Philanthropy Forum were both impressed with the 15-year track record of our organization and excited to hear about the partnership of Armenia Fund International with the Millennium Challenge Corporation as it sets a good precedent for non-profits in other countries where MCC is involved.", said Kotanjian. “Of course, greater coordination and cooperation with local governments as well as other international development projects is vital to this program’s success. I am confident and optimistic that through the generous support of the United States, Armenia will continue making strides towards a positive, healthier future”, added Kotanjian.
Armenia Fund would like to express its sincere gratitude to Mrs. Suzy Antounian of San Francisco for facilitating the Fund’s participation at the Global Philanthropy Forum.
Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and infrastructure development assistance to Armenia. The Fund has rendered more than $160 million in development aid to Armenia. Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund. Tax ID# 95-4485698
