ANCA

The ANCA is excited to join the Armenian Assembly to co-host this month’s Friday HyeLights “Summer in the City” Professional Networking Event!

Date: Friday, August 23rd
When: 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Where: Mission Dupont | 1606 20th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
More info: [email protected] / [email protected]

Strengthen your network and immerse yourself within the DMV-Armenian community. Enjoy an evening of good food, drinks, and company and connect with a number of professionals from numerous industries. Whether you’re an established professional or just starting your career, this event provides a unique opportunity to expand your network, share experiences, and learn from one another. Invite your colleagues, friends, and fellow Armenian-Americans to catch up and make many new connections.

ANCA Friday HyeLights networking events are generally held on the third Friday of each month at different locations - each offering new opportunities and themes. It builds on our current youth programs and professional development opportunities, including the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program (CGP), which has helped hundreds of qualified Armenian American recent graduates and professionals to secure positions in Congressional offices, federal agencies, think tanks, and other political and policy-making arenas throughout Washington, D.C.

The ANCA appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with different organizations, expand professional networks and coalitions, and advance shared community priorities.

The ANCA is excited to join the Armenian Assembly of America to co-host this month's Friday HyeLights "Summer in the City" Professional Networking Event!

Date: Friday, August 23rd
When: 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Where: Mission Dupont | 1606 20th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
More info: [email protected] / [email protected]

Strengthen your network and immerse yourself within the DMV-Armenian community. Enjoy an evening of good food, drinks, and company and connect with a number of professionals from numerous industries. Whether you're an established professional or just starting your career, this event provides a unique opportunity to expand your network, share experiences, and learn from one another. Invite your colleagues, friends, and fellow Armenian-Americans to catch up and make many new connections.

ANCA Friday HyeLights networking events are generally held on the third Friday of each month at different locations - each offering new opportunities and themes. It builds on our current youth programs and professional development opportunities, including the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program (CGP), which has helped hundreds of qualified Armenian American recent graduates and professionals to secure positions in Congressional offices, federal agencies, think tanks, and other political and policy-making arenas throughout Washington, D.C.

The ANCA appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with different organizations, expand professional networks and coalitions, and advance shared community priorities.

In trying times like these, the Armenian nation calls upon its sons and daughters - including those voting in the US this November - to prioritize our national survival.

To hold accountable those across the American political spectrum who knowingly - intentionally - armed the genocide of Artsakh. The slaughter of our people. The ethnic-cleansing of our land.

To not give a free pass to politicians who shipped military aid to Azerbaijan and then abandoned Armenians in our time of crisis.

To stop making excuses - extending understanding and forgiveness to those who mercilessly enabled the destruction of Artsakh, without losing a minute of sleep (and would do it all again).

To demonstrate that we will not be lied to and betrayed.

To show - in concrete terms they will understand - that crossing Armenians - killing Armenians - comes with a cost. - Aram Suren Hamparian

With this November’s hotly contested presidential election less than three months away, the ANCA has reaffirmed the Trump-Pence Administration’s failing grade on foreign policy priorities of special concern to Armenian and allied voters.

https://anca.org/press-release/anca-gives-trump-pence-administration-failing-grade-on-armenia-and-artsakh/

Why Some Armenian Americans Feel the Democrats Have Abandoned Them

- Arab Americans aren’t the only group who could pose a swing state problem for the Harris campaign.

https://www.theamericansaga.com/p/why-some-armenian-americans-feel

On Day 5 of the Kasparian Summer Academy, Session I participants ended their program strong, with the high schoolers focusing on the role of international law and diplomacy in advancing Armenian American priorities.

The day started with a presentation by Armenian Legal Center (ALC) Board member Sarig Armenian on careers in the legal world and the ALC's pro-Artsakh work. Next, international law expert Karnig Kerkonian discussed ongoing cases to defend the rights of Jerusalem's Armenian population and support the right of return of the Artsakh Armenians to their indigenous homes.

In the afternoon - remarks by two Ambassadors: the first, former Artsakh envoy to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan, about Artsakh's diplomatic challenges and opportunities following Azerbaijan's genocidal ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population; and, former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans on careers in the US Foreign Service, grounded on core U.S. values.

Visit anca.org/youth to learn more about the ANCA's suite of youth empowerment programs, including the Leo Sarkisian Internship Program, Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan fellowship, ANCA Rising Leaders Program, Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Days, and the Haroutioun & Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy.

It's Day 4 of the ANCA Kasparian Summer Academy, and our high schoolers explored the majesty of the US Capitol and got a personal tour of The Library of Congress's vast Armenian collection by Armenia and Georgia Specialist Dr. Khatchig Mouradian. Showcasing centuries-old Armenian bibles and manuscripts, Dr. Mouradian inspired with his curated exploration of Armenian treasures at the world's largest library.

Visit anca.org/youth to learn more about the ANCA's suite of youth empowerment programs, including the Leo Sarkisian Internship Program, Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan fellowship, ANCA Rising Leaders Program, Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Days, and the Haroutioun & Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy.

Khachkar Studios, a project of the Charles & Agnes Kazarian Foundation, is seeking proposals to produce/promote short-clip films to increase church attendance, membership, donations & Sunday/Saturday school enrollment.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/khachkar-studios-accepting-proposals-to-produce-andor-promote-2025-series-of-good-news-christian-short-clip-films-and-short-documentaries-302208893.html

Pictured: Charles & Agnes Kazarian

It's Day 3 of the ANCA Kasparian Summer Academy, and our high schoolers arrived on Capitol Hill, ready to advocate for Azerbaijani accountability for their genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and U.S. support for Armenia's security and sovereignty.

The day started off with an early morning final preparation session at the Aramian House by the ANCA's Tereza Yerimyan followed by a photoshoot at the U.S. Capitol.

The Congressional Armenian Staff Association (CASA) led a "Lunch and Learn" session about Capitol Hill careers - taking time to mentor Summer Academy participants about internship opportunities and their trajectory toward career success.

Then, it was a marathon three hours of congressional visits, with Kasparian Summer Academy advocates reaching over 400 U.S. House of Representatives offices with their pro-Armenian message - part of the ANCA's annual Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill days.

Visit anca.org/youth to learn more about the ANCA's suite of youth empowerment programs, including the Leo Sarkisian Internship Program, Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan fellowship, ANCA Rising Leaders Program, Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Days, and the Haroutioun & Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy.

Day 2 of the ANCA Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy took Session 1 participants to Big Whig Media, where co-founder Keith Nahigian discussed the importance of effective communication skills to advance shared community priorities. ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program alumnus Karoun Tcholakian inspired participants with her journey from presidential campaigns to work in the U.S. Executive branch.

The rest of the day was spent preparing for two days of Congressional outreach, led by ANCA Policy Director Alex Galitsky and the ANCA team, to advance legislation demanding accountability for Azerbaijan's genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and support Armenia's security and sovereignty.

Stay tuned for ANCA advocacy updates from Capitol Hill throughout the week!

Visit anca.org/youth to learn more about the ANCA's suite of youth empowerment programs, including the Leo Sarkisian Internship Program, Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan fellowship, ANCA Rising Leaders Program, Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Days, and the Haroutioun & Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy.

Welcome to DC! A great first day with ANCA Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy Session 1 participants - bringing together 17 high schoolers and recent grads from across the U.S. for an intensive week of Hai Tahd Advocacy training and exploration of career opportunities in policy, politics, and media in the nation's capital.

Stay tuned to our ANCA social media channels to meet each of our youth advocates throughout the week and follow their progress!

To learn more about the ANCA's suite of youth empowerment programs including the Leo Sarkisian Internship Program, Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan fellowship, ANCA Rising Leaders Program, Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Days, and the Haroutioun & Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy, visit anca.org/youth.

Armenian Americans welcome consideration of Senator Gary Peters for VP.

As a nationally respected legislator representing Michigan, Sen Peters has been a principled and powerful voice for American voters of Armenian heritage.

ANCA GRADE: A

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Today we say farewell to the 2024 Leo Sarkisian and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan interns. Their dedicated service to Artsakh justice and Armenian sovereignty in Washington DC will now continue in their hometowns and campuses across the US.

To our interns, it’s been a privilege to work with you and to welcome you to the ANCA family. You are proof that the future of our nation is bright. We cannot wait to see what you accomplish going forward.

To learn more about our youth programs visit anca.org/youth

Thank you to the ARF Sebouh Gomideh - Greater Washington DC chapter for inviting our Leo Sarkisian and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan interns to the annual Khanasor picnic at Seneca Creek State Park. It was illuminating and a great opportunity to connect with Armenians from the DMV area.

To learn more about our youth programs visit anca.org/youth

Azerbaijan’s Aliyev-owned media has made quite a fe**sh of attacking the ANCA - striving feverishly to convince folks that our Armenian community’s rich, century-long legacy of American civic and electoral activism is somehow criminal.

Founding Executive Director of the Armenian Legal Center and former ANCA Governor Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian spoke to our Leo Sarkisian and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan interns about international law and the means to further Hai Tahd through domestic and international legal processes. She gave insight on potential career paths and discussed her experience working in non-profit organizations, Capitol Hill, and the Department of Justice.

To learn more about our youth programs visit anca.org/youth