Atom Egoyan and Arsinee Khanjian’s presence in Yerevan

We are taking advantage of Atom Egoyan and Arsinee Khanjian’s presence in Yerevan to partner with Counterpart International and offer the Yerevan audience something special – a Civilitas Public Forum on “The Politics of Culture.”

Arsinee Khanjian and Atom Egoyan's names and work have put the Armenian name on the world stage for two decades. Hrair Hawk Khatcherian's work, too, has spanned the globe, and he has used his photography to document the universal legacy of Armenian culture. We are proud that Atom, a member of the board of the Civilitas Foundation, will be here to present ARMENIAN ORNAMENTAL ART, the new work by Hrair Hawk Khatcherian and Armen Kyurkchian.

We are also happy that Arsinee Khanjian, a Civilitas Associate, will be on stage with Alex Sardar of Counterpart International. She will discuss her perspective on fueling progress by encouraging proper opportunity for diversity in ideas, whether in the arts, in public policy, or at home.

This is the second program we’ll be hosting this month. Just last week, our program on Donor Strategies in Armenia elicited very interesting discussion about donors’ strategies and objectives, and the way that is perceived by the Armenian non-governmental sector. This was also the opportunity to launch Civil.am.
The Civilitas Foundation and Counterpart International
are pleased to team up
to present a unique installment in Civilitas Public Forums
and
Counterpart International's
Diversity Speakers' Bureau programs with Arsinee Khanjian and
Atom Egoyan.

Politics of Culture

A meeting with Atom Egoyan
and Arsinee Khanjian

and

Launching
"Armenian Ornamental Art"
by Hrair Hawk Khatcherian and
Armen Kyurkchyan


Friday, July 23, 12:00 p.m.
Ani Plaza Hotel, Ani Hall.

The meeting with be held in English with simultaneous translation.



Confirm your participation
by calling 500119.


Years ago, my friend Suzy Antounian was searching for organizations that do AIDS awareness work in Armenia. A friend of hers wanted to promote AIDS awareness and healthy lifestyles in memory of her brother who had died of AIDS. It took Suzy several meetings with donor organizations to identify Armenian NGOs engaged in this work. This initial effort led to several small grants to a local Armenian NGO from the Bay Area Friends of Armenia, a small non-profit organization based in San Francisco whose mission is to promote the health, education and welfare of the people of Armenia, in support of healthy living and teacher training in this field. This effort also led to several trips to Armenia by donors of BAFA to learn about civil sector organizations in Armenia – that is NGOs that are the result of local initiatives and address social problems with local solutions. Over the past three years these trips resulted in several grants to Armenian NGOs. They also informed their donors about various giving strategies and the remarkable initiatives and work being conducted by local leaders.

That's when it occurred to me that there has to be a better way to connect good work in Armenia to those in the Diaspora and beyond who want to support such work.

Civil.am was created to fill this need. It’s just a beginning, but it can be a most effective mechanism for maximizing resources and leading to NGO stability and independence. We’re looking for a donor to enable developing the site in Armenian. Want to help?

We in Yerevan are enjoying a hot summer. Hope you’re enjoying whatever weather you are given…

Civ