UNITED NATIONS–The Armenian Relief Society attended the UN Special Session on Children held at UN headquarters in New York.
The ARS Delegation included Valentine Berberian–Penelope Giragosian–Mary Anne Bonjuklian and Harriet Kazarian.
The Special Session–originally planned for 19-21 September 2001–was postponed following the tragic events of September 11th.
With more than 1000 non-governmental organizations participating from all over the world–this was a unique Conference Between World Leaders–Children and NGOs.
There were several panel discussions–lectures–workshops and different caucuses discussing topics that are related to the children of the world.
The ARS convened a panel presentation on Thursday May 9–2002–titled "Focus on Education: Protecting Children from Exploitation and Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders," with Dr. N. Oskanian–Representative of the Armenian Delegation–Dr. Denis Glaude–American Negro Women Association– Karine Soudjian–Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia–Gary Hairabedyan–Youth from Armenian Delegation–Sarah Klaus & Ms. Nina Watkins from Step by Step–Open Society Institute as the panelists. Penelope A. Giragosian of Armenian Relief Society moderated this panel presentation.
The ARS also cosponsored another workshop with Inclusion International.
Further details on the workshop and ARS activities in the UN will be published in upcoming editions of Asbarez.