Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian joined the 20th anniversary celebration of The Tavitian Scholars Program at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Tufts University at its graduation ceremony on Monday, June 17.
“These bright graduates are the future of Armenia. They will lead Armenia into the future and continue this path of transparency and prosperity in a more democratic Armenia,” Assembly Co-Chair Barsamian said.
The Tavitian Fellows Program, with endowments from Mr. Aso Tavitian and The Tavitian Foundation, is overseen by former Ambassador of Armenia to the United States, Rouben Shugarian and Dr. Joyce Barsam, a crucial supporter of the 20 year program who is the Vice President of The Tavitian Foundation, a Member of the Board of Advisers of The Fletcher School, and a longtime Armenian Assembly Trustee.
In collaboration with the Tavitian Foundation, The Fletcher School administers the Tavitian Scholars Program, a six-month training program in public policy and administration for Armenian government officials.
This program has the largest number of alumni from any country in the world, per capita. More than 300 alumni are employed in mid-to-senior level positions in Armenia’s Central Bank, President’s Office, Parliament, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Economy, and other government institutions. The program’s graduates include the Chief of Staff to the President, Minister of Defense, and two former Foreign Ministers. Program participants receive a certificate in Public Policy and Administration from The Fletcher School.
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| Tavitian Scholars at the Armenian Assembly of America headquarters in Washington, D.C. with Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan and Armenian National Institute Director Dr. Rouben Adalian on April 26 |
Earlier this year, the Assembly hosted students from The Fletcher School at Tufts University at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan discussed the United States-Armenia relations. She explained the Assembly’s priorities to strengthen these relations on Capitol Hill and called for increased democracy assistance and other foreign aid to Armenia and Artsakh, as well as the importance of security in the region. She also spoke about the Assembly’s efforts to encourage Members to join the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and promote U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
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Armenian Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan and Armenian National Institute Director Dr. Rouben Adalian speaking with the Tavitian Scholars on April 26
Joining Khaloyan, Armenian National Institute (ANI) Director Dr. Rouben Adalian introduced the new ANI exhibit to the Fletcher University students, entitled “The United States Military in the First Republic of Armenia 1919-1920,” which is available online. The 27-panel exhibit documents the extent of U.S. humanitarian intervention during the most difficult years in the life of the newly-formed Armenian state. Based upon the photographic collection of an American medical officer, Dr. Walter P. Davenport, the exhibit reveals the depth and breadth of measures taken by U.S. military personnel to stabilize the humanitarian crisis in Armenia, and especially the caretaking of the most vulnerable part of the population through hospitals, orphanages, food distribution points, and other facilities. The exhibit reveals how in 1919, U.S. military personnel and civilian aid workers cared for thousands upon thousands of children in Armenia.
