Partnership between the United Nations Development Program and the Ministry of Diaspora Has Been Formalized

United Nations, Yerevan - Today Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UN Resident Coordinator/ UNDP Resident Representative and Ms. Hranush Hakobyan, Minister of Diaspora have signed a Memorandum of Understanding - a framework document that envisages collaboration in development of conceptual outline of Armenia-Diaspora relations and its implementation.

In line with the provisions of the document, UNDP in Armenia will support the Ministry of Diaspora in development of the Ministry' website, implementation of specially designed for Diaspora TOKTEN (Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals) program, raising awareness on the activities of the Ministry, establishment of Civic Educational Center and Summer Camp for local and Diaspora youth, and coordination of and information sharing on activities with and for Diaspora.

Underscoring the vital importance of institutionalization of relations with the Diaspora, Ms. Consuelo Vidal said, "My personal interaction with Diaspora representatives, aimed at facilitating their engagement in Armenia's development projects and partnering with them as UN has testified the necessity to considerably intensify the volume of cooperation with engagement of innovative mechanisms."

Although the MoU is being formalized only now, she stressed that the United Nations in Armenia has already shaped a successful cooperation with former MFA State Committee on Diaspora Affairs. At the beginning of this week the United Nations in Armenia has launched in the framework of its "Global Armenia" initiative a website (www.globalarmenia.am) and TOKTEN program, enabling Diaspora Armenians through the UN methodology to apply their skills and knowledge for the benefit of Armenia. As part of that scheme, Diaspora experts can bring their valuable input also into the Ministry of Diaspora's work.