COAF Founder and Chairman Speaks at Armenia-Diaspora Conference

Yerevan, Republic of Armenia, September 18, 2006 — Today, Dr. Garo Armen, founder and chairman of the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) addressed the delegates of the Armenia-Diaspora Conference. [Read full text of Dr. Armen’s speech] The plenary session dealing with Rural Poverty Eradication Program was attended by over 1,000 delegates from around the world, including the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East. Dignitaries addressing this session of the conference included the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Agriculture, and the Minister of Territorial Administration.

Dr. Armen led the delegates through a virtual journey through rural Armenia, describing the conditions in most of the villages and prescribing the exact formula for poverty eradication. Speaking from his personal experiences, he described the crumbling and heart-breaking conditions in which he had found Karakert a few years ago. He also recalled the delegates’ experiences as they toured the School of Lernagog [soon to be renovated as part of COAF’s Model Cluster project] the day before. For Dr. Armen, the conditions in which today’s children live, learn, and grow — or the overall wellbeing of the next generation of the Armenian leadership — create the most critical and unquestionable need that every Armenian must focus on without delay. “The children of Armenia are our focal point; they are the key drivers of our development program.”

Then, he delineated the key elements of what makes COAF’s rural development program comprehensive and all-encompassing. Aside from the reconstruction of the infrastructure, including the renovation of public buildings, schools, kindergartens, community centers, and health clinics, Dr. Armen articulated the importance of simultaneously realizing economic, social, educational, and health programs. “Even the softest of our social programs have a tremendous positive impact on these communities. COAF has witnessed how its cluster monthly Shrjadarts or its inter-village transportation system created a few months ago has made an uplifting impact on the villagers,” cited the speaker.

Dr. Armen also mentioned that what makes COAF’s program so strong in accomplishments and sustainable results is its ability to mobilize larger resources and engage other organizations in the implementation of its program. Getting special recognition in his speech were the organizations, with which COAF partnered for the implementation of the first integrated rural development program: UNDP, USAID and the World Bank, along with a dozen other partners. More importantly, Dr. Armen stressed COAF’s partnership with the local municipality and general population, highlighting the importance of community participation, community ownership, and learning from the community.

CONTACTS: Sunny Uberoi, (212) 994-8206; or e-mail info@coafkids.org