UNDP Facilitates Diaspora Technical Support to Armenian Institutions

Yerevan, 16 April 2009 - Today, Armen Baibourtian, Senior Adviser to UN RC/UNDP RR, Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative and Hovhannes Sarajyan, UNDP Communications Associate met with recently recruited Diaspora experts who are in Armenia as part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched TOKTEN program (Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals).

In September 2008, UNDP in Armenia, as part of UN "Global Armenia" initiative, and upon the request of the Ministry of Diaspora, started recruitment of Armenian Diaspora professionals to work at the Ministry of Diaspora as experts on American-Armenian, Russian-Armenian, European-Armenian, Middle Eastern Armenian communities, and media affairs. They support the recently established Ministry of Diaspora in its daily activities and formulation of future policies.    

Welcoming the newly recruited Diaspora professionals, Mr. Baibourtian said that last year UNDP in Armenia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Diaspora establishing a legal framework for future cooperation, including TOKTEN program. The main purpose of the meeting, according to him, was to assess the project implementation process and receive direct feedback from the Diaspora experts and the ministry on the mechanisms to streamline the program for the future and fill in the possible gaps.

Diaspora experts expressed their appreciation to UNDP and the Ministry of Diaspora for the initiative and for giving them an opportunity to share their vast experience in Diaspora with their colleagues in the homeland. They expressed readiness to continue their support to the ministry through various informal Diaspora networks after the completion of their mission.

The concept of TOKTEN was introduced in 1977 under the auspices of UNDP and UN Volunteers (UNV) and is aimed at mobilizing technical expertise of committed expatriates to work voluntary in their country of origin to support the country's development process.

The TOKTEN program in Armenia, launched in September 2008, provides a framework to apply the skills, knowledge and expertise of the Diaspora Armenians for the development of the country. Assignments are demand-driven, based on development needs, as identified by UNDP in collaboration with national partners. As this is a program to enhance volunteerism, UNDP covers experts' travel expenses and provides a living allowance in Armenia.

The United Nations family in Armenia reaches out to Armenian Diaspora, among others, through www.globalarmenia.am website.