News From The Winter - Spring 2016 Not displaying correctly? Select web version at the bottom of this email. Guest-specialist leading a seminar for local beekeepers in Kashatagh. New Beeswax Facility in Artsakh We are pleased to announce the opening of a new beeswax facility in Berdzor (Lachin), in the NKR Kashatagh region. After extensive preparations, the Foundation is going to produce high-quality beeswax sheets for beekeepers in nearby areas of Artsakh and Armenia. Beekeeping is a well-developed branch of agriculture in Kashatagh. However, beekeepers have encountered problems obtaining fresh beeswax; often they are forced to purchase it from distant areas of Armenia – a costly and time-consuming endeavor. With this in mind, the Foundation decided to establish a facility in Berdzor, which is centrally located and serves as Kashatagh’s administrative center. In doing so, we hope to enhance the development of beekeeping and honey production in the region. At the same time, we initiated a seminar on beekeeping and honey production, led by a guest-specialist from Yerevan. The seminar drew nearly 30 beekeepers from surrounding areas. Attendees found the seminar helpful, especially in developing their products for market. The project is being realized through investments by Belgian-Armenian entrepreneur Andre Gumuchdjian. International expert from Sweden discusses his findings at an AUA CRM-hosted event. New Partnership Between World Bank and AUA’s Center for Responsible Mining Recently, the American University of Armenia’s Center for Responsible Mining (AUA CRM) began a partnership with the World Bank, in a project entitled “Armenia, Strategic Mining Sector Assessment.” The project will provide the Armenian government with better understanding of key social and environmental challenges and future opportunities that exist for Armenia’s mining sector. Already, the partnership has produced an analytical study which considers present mining activity, potential new projects, as well as the legacy of previous operations. The study will foster strategies in line with international best practices in social and environmental protection, while contributing to Armenia’s sustainable economic development. The study includes key contributions from the Mining Legislation Reform Initiative (MLRI), a division of AUA CRM. MLRI worked closely with international experts in researching and analyzing Armenia’s mining laws and regulations. The final report will be published in spring 2016, and will include a section on the framework of Armenia’s mining legislation, highlighting legal and regulatory weaknesses, gaps, and reforms that can raise Armenia’s laws to internationally acceptable standards. The Mining Legislation Reform Initiative (MLRI) is a project of the American University of Armenia’s Center for Responsible Mining (AUA CRM), and receives primary support from the Tufenkian Foundation. Project Director Edik Grigoryan (right) discussing building locations with local builder-contractor. New Construction Underway in Arajamugh Village Within Artsakh, our strongest priority remains the resettlement of its liberated territories. Chief among our activities has been the construction of an entirely new village, Arajamugh, in the NKR Hadrut region. The village now features 18 households, a school, a village mayor’s office, a community center, a pomegranate orchard, and associated infrastructure. Still, there is room for much growth, as the village plan includes up to 50 houses, with much arable land nearby. Viewing these as an opportunity, the Artsakh Fund-Eastern US has offered to lead the “Arajamugh Village Expansion Project,” featuring construction of additional houses and corresponding infrastructure. Already, construction teams have assembled in preparation for six new houses, to be built this spring and summer. The construction of these houses will bring new resettlers to the village and give new impetus to its development and eventual prosperity. Stay tuned for progress reports this year! Knarik Garanfilyan Garanfilyan Appointed to National Board of Social Workers The Armenian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is a semi-governmental organization, consisting of 200 members and 800 supporters. AASW promotes and defends the rights of social workers and the beneficiaries they serve. It also advances social workers’ practices and standards, while seeking new approaches to social service. We’re happy to report that our partner Knarik Garanfilyan was recently appointed to AASW’s Administrative Board. We trust that her appointment will lead to further improvements in the state of social work in Armenia. Knarik is the long-time director of the “Family and Community” NGO in Metsamor, addressing juvenile delinquency and other rehabilitative issues among young people. She also serves on the Board of the National Coalition for Defense of Children’s Rights. We are very proud of her work, and that she now receives the professional recognition she deserves. The "Family and Community" NGO of Metsamor is a joint program of the Tufenkian Foundation, Armenian Apostolic Church - Armavir Diocese, WCC Armenia Round Table Foundation, UMCOR and PH International. Local schoolchildren having a class in their newly renovated classroom. School Renovation in Aghavnatun Village In 2015, the Foundation initiated a community development project inAghavnatun – a small, remote village in the NKR Kashatagh district. The project was realized in conjunction with our partners OneArmenia and the Armenian Centre Trust (UK). As a continuation of this project, we’ve undertaken the renovation of Aghavnatun’s school. The renovation works were done in February and covered all classrooms, some common areas, as well as the school’s roof. We thank our partners, donors, as well as the local inhabitants for helping bring this to fruition. Participants at the AIWA/ARS joint event in San Francisco. Addressing the Status of Women in Armenia This winter was an especially busy one for the Women’s Support Center (WSC) and its Director, Maro Matosian. In addition to her activities in Armenia, Matosian visited several communities in the US, delivering informative presentations on the status of women in Armenia and how WSC addresses their challenges. These visits – to San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Philadelphia – raised awareness and support among hundreds of Armenian-Americans, especially women. The above visits took place in conjunction with the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) and especially the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA), a partner of the program since inception. In her remarks, Matosian noted: “Societies that advance are those where women are educated, and offered equal opportunities. Today, with women forming the majority of Armenia’s population, we cannot afford to ignore their potential to advance our country. For this we must raise our voices and demand that women are treated with respect, while breaking away from stereotypes that demean and belittle them.” Matosian focused especially on domestic violence – a severe problem in Armenia – and how to combat it through changes in legislation, enforcement mechanisms, and popular attitudes. Established in 2010, the WSC is a comprehensive domestic violence assistance and prevention program initiated by the Tufenkian Foundation, in partnership with USAID and the Armenian International Women’s Association.       ©2016 The Tufenkian Foundation | 20 Capitol Drive, Moonachie, NJ 07074 Web Version  Subscribe  Forward  Unsubscribe