Armenian Assembly Terjenian-Thomas Internship

Washington, D.C. - Last week, our interns were given a special tour of The World Bank by Grigor Sargsyan, the Principal Portfolio Manager at the US Fixed Income Desk in the Investment Management Department.

Grigor is a Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program alumna. In 2003, he interned at the Armenian International Policy Research Group, a nonpartisan think tank that specialized in economics, political science, law and government affairs. Grigor also used to work for the Central Bank of Armenia and the International Monetary Fund.

They were joined by Armenian National Institute Director Dr. Rouben Adalian, who knew Grigor when he participated in the Armenian Assembly's Summer Internship Program.

During the tour of the trading floor, the interns met Grigor's supervisor, who manages $170 billion of foreign development funds.

Today's intern spotlight is...Mihran Markarian!

Mihran is from Fountain Valley, California and is studying Political Science at UC Santa Barbara.

He was previously the Chairman of the Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYO) at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church - Costa Mesa, CA, and a member of the Armenian Youth Federation.

This summer, he is interning for the Center for Immigration Studies, where he is engaged with projects involving the economics of immigration and assists the staff in research and writing articles.

Washington, D.C. - On June 26 our D.C summer interns had the pleasure of meeting with Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Vice Chair and House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) to discuss Armenian American issues as well as current affairs.

“It was great to talk to Rep. Schiff and hear his positions on a variety of issues, especially while Congress was in session and the Members were voting in real time on the same issues that we were discussing, stated Michael Melkonian, a sophomore at Glendale Community College who is interning at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Our second #internspotlight is...Ani Matevosyan!

Ani is from Los Angeles, California and is transferring from California State University, Northridge to the University of Southern California (USC), where she will be studying Philosophy, Politics, and Law.

Growing up, she spent her summers living in Armenia and served as an active member of the CSU Northridge All-ASA: All-Armenian Student Association (Csun Asa).

This summer, she is interning at the Embassy of Armenia to the United States, where she is responsible for conducting research, translating official immigration and legal documentation, and connecting contacts for various Armenian projects.

Our first #internspotlight is...Lucine Beylerian!

Washington, D.C. - On June 18th, the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program participants met with Archbishop Vicken Aykazian who serves as the Diocesan Legate in Washington, D.C. and the Ecumenical Director of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.

As Archbishop Aykazian shared his experiences and understanding of Armenian culture, religion, and history, the interns listened diligently and were intrigued to learn more about his background. Serena Hajjar, who is interning at the Armenian National Institute (ANI) appreciated the depth of the Archbishop’s historical knowledge, especially that of the Armenian Diaspora. "Absorbing the Archbishop’s experiences and approach to Armenian issues inspired me to look at more innovative and creative ways in which I can contribute to the Armenian cause both within the Diaspora and in our motherland,” Hajjar said.

In addition to his clerical responsibilities, Archbishop Aykazian is an advocate for Christian minorities in the Middle East. He participated in President Donald Trump's signing ceremony for the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act, which promotes accountability for crimes committed by ISIS and provides relief to persecuted religious groups in those countries. Archbishop Aykazian was appointed as a member of the World Council of Churches and had served on President Barrack Obama's Advisory Committee on FaithBased Initiatives. By appointment, he was also chosen to be the President of Christian Churches Together and President of Habitat for Humanity Europe, Africa, and Central Asia.

The interns were especially curious about the Archbishop’s work related to his travels to Jerusalem, Istanbul, Switzerland, and Armenia. Among each Armenian community, the Archbishop noticed resilience and strength in addition to the very rich Armenian cultural heritage. He explained to the interns that he believes the Armenian Apostolic Church is what has kept Armenians across the world unified despite the distance between them.

Armen Kaprelian, who is interning with the Republic of Artsakh's Permanent Mission to the United States and Canada was very impressed by how the Archbishop viewed his role “as one of not only carrying out religious doctrine but also fostering the Armenian culture, Diasporan relations, and over-watch of charitable organizations.” After the meeting, Armen was excited to learn that his grandfather and Archbishop Aykazian had been good friends while living in Armenia.

Our #internoftheweek today is Frankie Chelebian! Frankie is a rising junior at Chapman University majoring in Business Finance and Economics.

Frankie is interning with Congressman Duncan Hunter and his favorite part of the program is getting to learn how the government process works in person.

By Lena Richardson, Armenian Assembly Intern

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 21, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) summer interns gathered with Armenian National Institute (ANI) Director Dr. Rouben Adalian for an introduction to the work done by ANI. ANI was established by the Assembly in 1997 as the leading resource center dedicated to the study, research, and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

Dr. Adalian showed the group the mobile friendly interactive website, the Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA), which features an introductory online museum with real stories and galleries of survivor accounts. Dr. Adalian guided the Assembly interns through a walking exhibit of historical photographs of the Genocide, telling the group the history in great detail. The Assembly interns had plenty of questions throughout the presentation including the legal definition of Genocide, coined by Raphael Lemkin, which references “intent to destroy.” He also described the denialists he had to face while on Capitol Hill working with Congress.

 “Dr. Adalian is truly a knowledgeable and respected scholar. I was very fortunate to learn about the Armenian Genocide from historical records and was extremely impressed by the amount of detail and specific accounts in his presentation,” stated Mireille Samra, a junior at Lynn University in Florida, who is interning with Armenian Caucus Co-Vice Chair Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).

 Aidan Mussali and Gurgen Tadevosyan, participants of the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program, are working with Dr. Adalian this summer at ANI. Dr. Adalian works continuously to update and expand ANI and AGMA with the help of summer interns.

Photo Caption 1: Armenian Assembly interns with Dr. Rouben Adalian, Director of the Armenian National Institute

Our #internoftheweek is Tamar Barsamian! Tamar is interning this summer at the Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. She is working on the participant staff team for the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which is featuring Armenia as one of the countries this year. The festival starts today, 6/27 so stop by and check it out!

Our last #internoftheweek this week is Aidan Mussalli! Aidan is a rising sophomore at Glendale Community College and is majoring in Business Administration. This summer he is working as an intern at the Armenian National Institute.

Aidans favorite part of the program so far is the opportunity to meet other Armenian students from around the country and make new friends.

By Lena Richardson, Armenian Assembly of America Intern

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 19th, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) summer interns gathered in the Washington D.C. office to meet with Assembly Development and Grassroots Associate Mariam Khaloyan for an introduction to the advocacy efforts and issues relevant to Armenian Americans. Khaloyan explained the mission and vision of the Assembly to the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program participants, and what it means to be an advocate. She then presented the Assembly’s top priorities concerning U.S.-Armenia relations which includes aid to Armenia, security for Artsakh, and Armenian Genocide re-affirmation.

The Assembly interns had a plethora of questions, specifically concerning the best way to speak with Representatives about the Armenian Genocide and fostering U.S.-Armenia relations. Khaloyan thoroughly explained various efforts, while simultaneously discussing the importance of growing the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues in the 115th Congress, which is currently at 122 members.

“The meeting was really interesting and significant to me because we got to learn which Representatives are supportive of Armenian Americans’ interests and how to approach other Members and urge them to join the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,” stated Gurgen Tadevosyan, a junior at New York Univeristy based in their Abu Dahbi campus, who is interning at the Armenian National Institute (ANI).

Photo Caption 1: Armenian Assembly interns with Mariam Khaloyan, Assembly Grassroots and Development Associate

Our second #internoftheweek is Gurgen Tadevosyan! Gurgen is a student at New York University, based in their Abu Dhabi campus, majoring in political science. He is interning at the Armenian National Institute (http://www.armenian-genocide.org/) this summer!

Gurgen’s favorite part of the program so far is seeing the relations between the US Government and the American-Armenian people.