Republican Party of Armenia

 Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan hosted today the participants of the Diaspora Summer School in the conference hall of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

The school is meant to preserve and strengthen the ethnic identity of the Armenian Diaspora, increase the level of knowledge of the Armenian language among young people, promote self-organization in Armenian communities of the Diaspora. The meeting was also attended by Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan.

Welcoming the representatives of the Summer School, the Prime Minister noted the importance of its continuation and periodic similar exercises at all. “These programs are very important to our country: the most important thing is to try to strengthen the bonds with Homeland through these programs, enhance visits, create opportunities for you to visit Homeland,” addressing the audience, said the Prime Minister.

Hovik Abrahamyan assured that the government will possibly contribute to the implementation of such programs that strengthen ties between Armenia, the Diaspora and Artsakh..

The participants of the Summer School thanked the Prime Minister and the Minister of Diaspora for a warm welcome and the proper organization of program of activities.

Then a casual conversation unfolded at which the Prime Minister replied to the questions of our compatriots from the Diaspora. At the request of those present, the Head of Government touched on the priorities of Armenia’s foreign and domestic policy, the economic development priorities, the implementation of Government-supported projects in border villages, the need for increased funding of pan-Armenian programs aimed at deepening ties between Armenia and Artsakh-Diaspora, and other issues of topical interest.

Concluding his speech, the Premier urged the participants of the Summer School to continue with their difficult and honorable task of preserving the Armenian identity beyond the Armenian homeland.

The Diaspora Summer School program has been implemented since 2012 in cooperation with the Yerevan State University. This year’s training courses are carried out in the following six areas: “Course of retraining for teachers employed at Armenian Diaspora educational centers,” “Course for Diaspora journalists,” “Course for young leaders from the Armenian Diaspora,” “Crash Course of the Armenian language (Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian),” “Refresher course for teachers of national songs and dances,” and, starting from 2014 - “Refresher course for the representatives and staff structures of Armenian Diaspora communities.

The School started on July 7 with Armenian language courses, and is due to complete on August 2 with a course for the organizers of community affairs. As a whole, the courses are attended by about 250 participants coming from the Diaspora.