Uplifting Women from Poverty ARS CSW Presentation In New York

The Armenian Relief Society Inc. (ARS) in collaboration with the Mission of Armenia to the UN held a side event during the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) entitled, “Uplifting Women from Poverty Through Partnerships” on March 14, 2016, at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York City, NY.

The side event was started with an introductory speech by H.E. Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. Ambassador Mnatskanyan, highlighted the importance of the Commission on the Status of Women and spoke of the commitment of Member States to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). He further went on to introduce the ARS by stating the following, “…how very excited I am to welcome you all to this side event that we have initiated with the ARS a long standing partner of our mission here at the UN and a very active participant on the work of the UN especially on issues which concern the agenda on the Commission of Sustainable Development”.

Dr. Nyree Derderian Vice-Chairperson to the ARS Central Executive Board served as moderator to the event. She spoke of a recent development project taken on by the ARS with the Russian Federation, Armenia and UNDP. This project is taking place in the Tavush region of Armenia and is meant to uplift women from poverty by focusing on SDG 1 (poverty eradication), SDG 2 (hunger), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (employment) and SDG 17 (partnerships).

The list of panelists of the event included the Senior Adviser of UNFPA, Mr. Michael Herrman; the founder of ONEArmenia, Mr. Patrick Sarkissian; the co-founder of Harvest Song Artisanal Preserves, Ms. Sylvia Tirakian; the founder of Meline’s Garden, a startup initiative introducing quinoa to Armenia by Ms. Taline Kevonian; and the Manager of UN Women/Empower Women, Ms. Anna Falth. Each panelist spoke of his or her work and on going projects.

The event ended with a lively question and answer session and was attended by a large number of member states, UN agencies, and ARS and other NGO leaders and members. The purpose of the event was to bring together those interested in the promotion of the empowerment of women through programs and projects that increase sustainability and inclusive growth. The Armenian Relief Society is a proud participant and member of the CSW and will continue efforts to empower women in Armenia and many other parts of the world.

For anyone interested in seeing the event, it can be viewed on UN live webcast TV at the following link: http://webtv.un.org/…csw60-side-event/4801920201001

Moderator and Panelists of the event, from left to right, Ungeroohi Nyree Derderian Vice-Chair of the ARS Central Executive Board. The Senior Adviser of UNFPA, Mr. Michael Herrman, the founder of ONEArmenia, Mr. Patrick Sarkissian, the co-founder of Harvest Song Artisanal Preserves, Ms. Sylvia Tirakian the founder of Meline’s Garden, a startup initiative introducing quinoa to Armenia by Ms. Taline Kevonian, and the Manager of Empower Women Ms. Anna Falth