ARF Youth Delegates Discuss Genocide at IUSY Conference in Turkey

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–Armenian youth who recently attended a youth conference in Turkey–told a news conference in Yerevan on Thursday that they spoke openly about the Armenian genocide and even distributed booklets to participants.

The two Armenian Youth Federation of Armenia participants–Zinavor Meghrian and Karen Mnatsakanian–along with AYF delegates Talline Tachdjian (France)–and Khatchik Mouradian (Lebanon) attended the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) meeting June 16-19–and were interviewed by the Turkish newspaper–Milliyet. "We discussed the Armenian genocide from different angles during the interview," Meghrian told the news conference. "We also spoke of the closed borders and formation of a group of [Turkish] historians–to review Genocide "allegations;" we told the paper we reject this idea–since we have no doubt about facts concerning the Genocide."

Mnatsakanian revealed that Turkish youth wrongly assumed that the Armenian government is not concerned about the Genocide issue–but that only diaspora Armenia’s pursue it. "It is because some young Armenian politicians make such statemen’s," he said. Asked to name those politicians–Mnatsakanian said he was referring to Sargis Asatrian–the chairman of the Armenian Youth Party.

Participants of the IUSY conference–"We all are Minorities," included delegations from Georgia–Russia–Ukraine–Azerbaijan–Turkey–Bulgaria–Moldova–Serbia–Sweden–and other countries.

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AYF “Nanor Krikorian” Scholarship Recipients Awarded

Glendale – The Armenian Youth Federation “Garo Madenlian” Public Affairs Office announced Friday that it has chosen the seven recipients of the “Nanor Krikorian” Scholarship.

Over 30 Scholarship applications, which were made available to all high school seniors of Armenian descent, were received. After closely reviewing all applications seven seniors were chosen to receive scholarships.

The AYF provided a total of $3500 in scholarships to a total of seven qualified applicants. The recipients were Maral DerSarkissian and Rubina Ghazarian of Crescenta Valley High School, Edgar Mkrtchian of La Canada High School, Shaunte Baboumian of Townsend Harris High School, Ara Thomassian of Alex Pilibos High School, Justine Karanian of Avon High School, Katie Kavorkian of Shepherd Hill Regional High School.

Each of the seven scholarship recipients have not only displayed commendable academic achievements but have also held roles as activists in the Armenian community, while displaying exemplary dedication to cultural, political, and community involvement.

“The goal here is to encourage our youth to be both academically successful and involved within their community,” said scholarship coordinator Ani Garibyan. “We are proud of the recipients and know that they will undoubtedly serve Armenia generously in the future.”

Now in its third year, the Nanor Krikorian Scholarship has awarded 23 graduating high school seniors of Armenian descent a total of $9600. The scholarship is named after a young AYF activist, Nanor Krikorian, whose life was cut short by cancer. Those interested in contributing to the expansion of the scholarship can mail donations payable to AYF to 104 N. Belmont St. #206 Glendale, CA 91206.

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