Program to Present Discussion of NKR Crisis, Raise Funds for Families of Fallen Soldiers

WATERTOWN, Mass.—Prompted by the recent fighting in the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic (NKR/Artsakh), a panel discussion and fundraiser for the victims of aggression and families of fallen soldiers will take place on Sat., April 16, at 7 p.m. at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC), 47 Nichols Ave., in Watertown. A suggested minimum donation of $50 is appreciated. Donations can be made by check the night of the program or online through the ARS Artsakh Fund or AGBU Nagorno-Karabagh Relief Fund.

Servicemen Suren Aramyan and Grigor Avetisyan were both born in 1997 (Photo: Araz Boghossian) — (Photo: Araz Boghossian)

The featured speakers will be Robert Avetisyan, permanent representative of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic to the United States (by Skype); Ambassador Rouben Shougarian, Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Armenia’s first ambassador to the United States (1993-99); Ambassador Armen Baibourtian, Ph.D., director of Administration, Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, Armenia’s first Ambassador to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia (2000-04); and Prof. Simon Payaslian, Charles K. and Elisabeth M. Kenosian Chair in Modern Armenian History and Literature, Boston University. Marc A. Mamigonian, the director of Academic Affairs at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), will serve as moderator.

The event is organized by the MIT Armenian Society and NAASR and is co-sponsored by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Boston “Sardarabad” Gomideh, the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Cambridge “Shushi” Chapter, the ARS Watertown “Leola Sassouni” Chapter, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) New England, and the Armenian Assembly of America.

For more information about this program contact NAASR by calling (617) 489-1610 or e-mailing hq@naasr.org or narek@mit.edu.