2024 Symposium Mission Armenia

Mission Armenia

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May 29 - June 4 | Yerevan, Armenia
LEARN | NETWORK | ENGAGE
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We wrapped up an incredible week in Yerevan for AIWA’s 2024 Mission Armenia and we wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to all of you who were an integral part of our venture. Your presence, enthusiasm, and willingness to connect and contribute have made all the difference.

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU:

To our distinguished speakers and moderators who have tremendously enriched our programs by igniting meaningful discussions and driving forward the momentum for change.

To our generous donors for their support and belief in our mission. Each contribution, no matter the size, has a ripple effect, enabling us to reach further and make a more significant impact on the lives of Armenian women across the globe.

To our devoted volunteers from the Armenian Education Foundation for their tireless contributions of time, energy, and resources, all of which have been vital to the success of our events.

As we continue to build on this momentum, we invite you to become an AIWA member (Membership hyperlink). Your support and involvement are crucial to driving our mission forward. By becoming a member, you’ll join a vibrant community dedicated to empowering Armenian women and driving positive change.

Thank you once again for being part of this extraordinary journey. We look forward to seeing you at future AIWA events and initiatives!

Mission Armenia
Agenda

Prepare for an enriching week of insights from influential speakers, dynamic panel discussions, candid conversations with visionaries and changemakers in Armenia, and networking opportunities to ignite valuable collaborations. Check out the agenda highlights that await you:

While registration is required, participation in “Mission Armenia” is flexible. You’re welcome to register for and attend events that resonate with you.

Mission Armenia Symposium

LOCAL TO GLOBAL, UNITING FOR CHANGE 

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Friday, May 31, 2024
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Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan

The Symposium will present two panel discussions featuring Ministers from the Republic of Armenia, highlighting key opportunities and policies impacting Armenian women. One panel will focus on women’s education, health, and wellness, while the other will explore women’s roles in the economy, technology, and tourism sectors. Additionally, the day will include two sessions featuring visionaries and changemakers across diverse fields relevant to women, where speakers will share their initiatives, successes, and identified gaps, providing valuable insights into ongoing efforts and future directions.

Symposium Highlights

  • Panel Discussions featuring RA Ministers and Distinguished Speakers
  • Armenia’s Policies on Women’s Education, Health, and Wellness
  • Combating Gender-Based Violence
  • Visionaries and Changemakers in Women’s Education & Health
  • Opportunities for Women in Tech, Innovation, Business, Entrepreneurship, & Tourism
  • Female Pioneers Shaping Armenia’s Economy
  • Empowering Armenian Women & Strengthening Communities Through AIWA Initiatives and Scholarships
  • Everyday Heroes
  • Networking Event

Women's Roundtable Discussions for Change

MOBILIZING THE POWER OF WOMEN

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Sunday, June 2, 2024
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American University of Armenia

Led by leaders and organizations spearheading change for women in Armenia, the discussions will shed light on often overlooked yet significant topics impacting women. The informative, candid, and engaging roundtable discussions aim to empower participants with a deeper understanding of the current landscape across various fields in Armenia and to harness the Power of Women, utilizing advocacy, unity, and collaboration to amplify impact.

Roundtable Highlights

  • NGOs and Foundations Advancing Armenian Women’s Interests
  • Inclusivity, Accessibility, and Advocacy: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges for Women In Armenia
  • Exploring the Intersection of Women, Agriculture, and Environmental Sustainability
  • A Holistic Approach to Women’s Health and Wellness
  • Women’s Roles in Negotiation, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution
  • Networking Event

MISSION TRIPS

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Wednesday, May 29, 2024
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Day in Gyumri
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Monday, June 3, 2024
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Day in Diligan and Margahovit
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Tuesday June 4, 2024
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Meet with AIWA Empower Path Partners

The Mission Trips, integral to the Symposium, offer a unique opportunity to journey through regions where you can engage directly with the diverse organizations that AIWA has partnered with and experience the transformative work underway. These mission trips are not only intended for informational sessions but also serve as platforms for active participation and collaboration.

Through these immersive excursions, attendees will witness the tangible impacts of partnerships, fostering a deeper understanding of both the challenges and triumphs involved.

Trip Highlights
Day in Gyumri

  • Visit to TUMO Center
  • Tour of the Gallery of Mariam and Eranuhi Aslamazyan Sisters
  • Dinner at Cherkezi Dzor Restaurant

Day in Dilijan and Margahovit

  • Tour of UWC Dilijan College
  • Outdoor Activities with Armenia Tree Project

 

Visit with Empower Path Partners

  • Meet and Greet with AIWA x Hub Artsakh Trainees at Impact Hub
  • Visit ART Training Sites in Yerevan and Masis
  • Lusik Aguletsi House-Museum Tourpage1image53366384

Mission Armenia Symposium

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May 31, 2024

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Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan

8:45 - 9:45
Arrival & Registration (Coffee & Networking)
9:45 - 10:00
Welcoming Remarks
10:00 - 11:00
Visionaries & Changemakers in Education, Health, & Wellness
Moderator: Arina Zohrabian
Executive Director of Armenian Volunteer Corps
Ani Jilozian
Director of Development at the Women's Support Center NGO
Armine Haroyan
Executive Director of Armenian Educational Foundation
Gayane Vardanyan
Village Programs Manager at Children of Armenia Fund (COAF)
Teny Avakian
Chief Executive Officer at Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS)
11:00 - 11:10
Everyday Heroes
Goharine Hovoyan
EmpowerPath Participant
Gayane Chalyan
EmpowerPath Participant
11:15 - 12:15
A Conversation with the Ministers of Health, Labour and Social Affairs, & Education, Science, Culture and Sportof RA
Moderator: Astghik Sargsian
TV Host, Interviewer, Political Commentator
Anahit Avanesyan
Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia
Narek Mkrtchyan
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Zhanna Andreasyan
Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia
12:15 - 13:30
Lunch Break & a Presentation by the Authors of "The Making of Armenian Wonderwomen"
Gayane Aghabalyan
Co-Author of "The Making of Armenian Wonderwomen"
Elmira Ayvazyan
Co-Author of "The Making of Armenian Wonderwomen"
13:30 - 14:00
Fireside Chat: On Women's Rights and International Law
Moderator: Karma Ekmekji
Mediation Advisor with UN Women & Associate Fellow at the Issam Fares Institute (IFI) for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut
Sheila Paylan
International Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Legal Consultant at the United Nations
14:00 - 14:30
Fireside Chat: The Role of Women in Tourism and Armenia's Economic Growth
Moderator: Léa Hakim
Senior Country Economist at The World Bank
Sisian Boghossian
Former Head of Tourism Committee of the Republic of Armenia
14:30 - 15:30
Visionaries & Changemakers in Business, Technology, & Entrepreneurship
Moderator: Madlene Minassian
Global Head of Learning & Development at Picsart
Suzanna Shamakhyan
Vice President of Strategic Programming at FAST Foundation
Marie Lou Papazian
Foundaing Chief Executive Officer of Tumo Center for Creative Technologies
Seda Papoyan
Founder of FemInno & Executive Director of Relq
Victoria Aslanian
CEO of Golden Grape ArmAs LLC
15:30 - 15:40
Everyday Heroes
Armenuhi Telyan
EmpowerPath Participant
Metakse Avetisyan
EmpowerPath Participant
15:45 - 16:00
Closing Remarks
16:00
Coffee & Networking

Women's Roundtable Discussions for Change

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June 2, 2024

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American University of Armenia (AUA)

10:00 - 11:00
Arrival & Registration (Coffee & Networking)
11:00 - 12:15
Health for Every Woman: A Holistic Approach to Women's Health and Wellness in Armenia
Moderator: Lorky Libaridian
Internist and Pediatrician; COAF- Director Community Health Programs; Program Director PReP Pediatric Residency Program
Astrik Vardanyan
Founder and CEO of Michel Odent Mother Center Armenia ·
Natalie Marcarian
Gender Specialist and Global Head of Partnerships at SafeYOU
Ofelya Kamavosyan
Program Director at Alzheimer's Care Armenia
Edlen Bah
Pediatrician and Chief Expert Coordinator at VIVA Foundation
12:15 - 13:30
A Dialogue on Accessibility and Advocacy: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges for Women with Disabilities in Armenia
Moderator: Tatevik Stepanyan
Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Zaruhi Batoyan
Member of Parliament, Former Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Anush Aslanyan
Founder & Director of Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities NGO
Gayane Grigoryan
Program Officer at "Agate" Rights Defense Center for Women with Disabilities
Tigranuhi Hakobyan
Director at Caritas Aregak Foundation (Aregak Bakery & Cafe, Emili Aregak Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities)
13:30 - 14:15
Lunch Break
14:15 - 15:30
Harvesting Change: Exploring the Intersection of Women, Agriculture, and Environmental Sustainability
Moderator: Nune Sakanyan
President and Co-Founder of Women in Climate and Energy (WiCE)
Rousanne Arustamyan
Director of the Armenian Tree Project
Melineh Bilbulyan
Co-Founder & Training Specialist at OmniPonics NGO
Nune Sarukhanyan
President of "Green Lane" Agricultural Assistance NGO
Emma Anakhasyan
Head of the Environmental Health Department of the Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment NGO (AWHHE)
15:30 - 16:45
Shaping Peace: Women's Roles in Negotiation, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution
Moderator: Anna Ohanyan
Richard B. Finnegan Distinguished Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Stonehill College
Anna Hess Sargsyan
Senior Advisor on Conflict Resolutionat the Austrian Center for Peace
Armine Margaryan
Founder & President of Women & Global Security Architecture NGO (WGSA),
Military-Political Expert & Former Adviser to the Secretary of Security Council of the Republic of Armenia
Sheila Paylan
International Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Legal Consultant at the United Nations
16:45
Wine & Networking

Trip to Dilijan and Margahovit

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June 3, 2024

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Dilijan and Margahovit

9:00
Bus Departure from Marriott to UWC Dilijan College
11:30
Outdoor Activities with Armenia Tree Project in Margahovit
15:00
Late Lunch at Kchuch Restaurant
18:30
Back to Yerevan Around 18:30

Visit with EmpowerPath Partners

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June 4, 2024

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Yerevan

9:00
Bus Departure from Marriott
9:30
Meet and Greet with AIWA x Hub Artsakh Trainees at Impact Hub
11:30
Visit ART Training Site in Yerevan
12:30
Bus Departure to Masis to visit second ART Training Site
15:00
Lusik Aguletsi House-Museum Tour, Lunch at Art Cafe, & Gata Baking Class
15:50
Return to Yerevan

Mission Trips

Day in Gyumri

$75

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

8:30 to 19:00

Explore charming Gyumri for a full day by visiting TUMO Center, Aregak Bakery and Café, Aslamazyan Sisters Gallery, late lunch at Cherkezi Dzor, and more.

Trip to Dilijan
and Margahovit

$75

Monday, June 3, 2024

9:00 to 18:30

Take part in a day trip to Dilijan and Margahovit to visit UWC Dilijan College, Armenia Tree Project, and lunch at Kchuch Restaurant.

REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE

AIWA’s “Mission Armenia” is not just an event but a catalyst for unity and change. Reserve your spot to be part of a platform where ideas converge, collaborations ignite, and dreams materialize.

Mission Armenia
Symposium
May
31
Registration Required
Free
Women's Roundtable Discussions for
Change
June
2
Registration Required
Free
Mission Trips
Day In Gyumri
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May 29, 2024
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8:30 to 19:00
$75
Trip to Dilijan and Margahovit
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June 3, 2024
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9:00 to 18:30
$75

LEARN | NETWORK | ENGAGE

Our Speakers

Accommodations

Yerevan offers a wide range of hotel accommodations suiting all budgets. Here are a few options conveniently located in the city center and within a short distance of the Symposium. The Marriott Hotel will serve as the headquarters for “’Mission Armenia,” with transportation provided from the Marriott to all Mission Trip sites and back.

Travel Information

If you need assistance with travel arrangements (flights/hotels), please contact Shaké Derderian via email at: [email protected]

For time sensitive question, message</br>610-416-9110 on WhatsApp

SIMA Tours-Armenia50 Teryan
Street 0009 Yerevan, Armenia

SIMA Tours-United States 2064
Sproul RoadBroomall, PA 19008

Sponsors & Donors

Partner with us and be a Changemaker to help us shape a better future! Your contribution will fuel innovation, empower visionary leaders, and inspire collective action. Together, we have the power to create a ripple effect that will resonate across communities, generations, and continents as we envision a world transformed by compassion, innovation, and unity.

Sponsors

Overseas Investments, LLC

Donors

Benefactor

Zarig and Jack Youredjian

Legacy

Margaret & David Mgrublian

Leader

Diane & Albert Cabraloff

Sonya & Dr. Heratch Doumanian

Cynthia & Ken Norian

Alice & Vahik Petrossian

Arsine & Gary Phillips

Nina and Raffi Festekjian

SADA

Advocate

Houry & Kevork Aposhian

LeapSRA

Overseas Investments,LLC

Suzie Phillips

Nancy Kolligian

Lori and Jack Muncherian

Cynthia Tusan

Supporter

Maral Adalian

Sonia and Zaven Akian

Liz Akian

Ani and Adam Aivazian

Elizabeth Agbabian

Zela and V. Henry Astarjian

Dr. Phillip and Nora Balikian

Dr. Jirayr and Annie Balikian

Milka Bedikian

Hermine Janoyan

Argine Jean and Haig Kelegian

Cecile Keshishian

Nicole Nishanian

Ilean Yaghlegian Rogers

Strobia Foundation

Armen Martirosyan – Blulp Armenia

SafeYOU

Cognaize Engineering

Silvana Vartanian

Stay Connected



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    MISSION ARMENIA