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AGBU UN Representative, Adrienne Alexanian, (center) introduces September 7 workshop speakers, Dr. Mary Norton (left) of Felician College and Rita Balian (right) of the Armenian American Wellness Center.
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AGBU Speaker Addresses Inaugural Press Conference and Workshop for 58th UN DPI/NGO Conference in New York
| Date: |
9/15/2005 |
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| Contact: |
AGBU Press Office |
| Phone: |
212.319.6383 |
| Fax: |
212.319.6507 |
| Email: |
agbuwb@agbu.org |
On Tuesday, September 6, 2005, AGBU speaker, Rita Balian, was invited by the United Nations (UN) Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organizations (DPI/NGO) Conference Media Committee as a representative of almost 700 NGOs from 86 countries to speak at this year’s 58th DPI/NGO Conference (unngodpiconference.org) Inaugural Press Conference at UN headquarters in New York which was attended by major media outlets. Balian was the first representative of an Armenian NGO to be given the honor of representing all participating NGOs.
This year’s conference, entitled “Our Challenge: Voice for Peace, Partnerships and Renewal,” explores the UN’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and comes at a critical time for the UN as it re-evaluates its future and mission. Adopted by the UN in 2000, the MDGs outline a strategy to alleviate extreme poverty, provide universal education, ensure gender equality, combat AIDS and other diseases, encourage environmental sustainability and develop global partnerships for development.
Spearheaded and organized by AGBU UN Representative, Adrienne Alexanian, AGBU’s involvement in this year’s conference included the sponsorship of a workshop on September 7, 2005 entitled, “Successful Development Programmes in Education and Healthcare through Partnerships.” Alexanian was also an active member of both the planning and media committees for the three-day event that took place from September 7 – 9, 2005.
Each year, AGBU selects an individual to highlight a project making an impact in Armenia or the Armenian Diaspora. This year, Rita Balian, President and CEO of the Armenian American Cultural Association and founder of the Armenian American Wellness Center (AAWC) in Yerevan, Armenia, was invited to participate in an AGBU-organized workshop that was jointly sponsored with the International Council of Nurses and Felician College. Balian is also the co-president of the AGBU President’s Club and the founder of the AGBU New York Summer Intern Program. The Wednesday workshop focused on the interrelated issues of technology and education in advancing development in healthcare.
In the Spotlight
Alexanian, on behalf of AGBU, nominated Balian for the honor of speaking at the inaugural press conference as a representative of all attending NGOs and in recognition of her notable achievements to the Armenian community. This important press event, which kicked off the three-day global gathering, was attended by major media outlets and included presentations from Jim Wurst, UN Correspondents Association President; Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information at the UN; Joseph Donnelly, Chair of the 58th Annual DPI/NGO Conference, Anwarul Chowdjury; UN High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States; and William Pace, Executive Director of the World Federalist Movement.
Success at Partnering in Education and Healthcare
Moderated by Adrienne Alexanian, AGBU’s workshop featured three distinguished speakers: Dr. Mary Norton, Professor and Associate Dean at Felician College (USA); Rita Balian, Founder of Armenian American Wellness Center (Armenia); and Dr. Micaela Iovine, Senior Programme Officer, Global Programme, Council for International Exchange of Scholars. Norton spoke about an e-learning nursing program at both Felician College and the University of Jordan that have partnered to produce this innovative program. With the support of private industry and government funding, the e-curriculum augments the accessibility of teaching staffs and resources. Iovine contributed to Norton’s presentation by discussing relevant fellowships in the field.
Balian spoke extensively about the creation of the AAWC and its important impact on the Caucasus region. Over 60,000 women have benefited from the Center’s breast screeninng, cervical screening and pathology laboratory services and 300 women from neighboring countries have also been welcomed at the Center. The Center has saved the lives of thousands of women through its preventative work. Pointing out the challenges that she confronted when AAWC was first established in 1997, Balian said the Center is undergoing an extensive renovation in a five-story building donated by the government of the Republic of Armenia and will become a “mini-Mayo clinic” for the region.
Audience members were invited to participate in a question and answer period with the panel and share information about similar projects in other parts of the world.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an annual budget of $26 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35 countries. AGBU has been a registered NGO at the United Nations since 1989.
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