LOS ANGELES-The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) welcomed Hilda Tchoboian–the President of the ANC of Europe at a reception with supporters on Sunday–March 2. The owners of Joseph’s Caf–a popular Hollywood restaurant hosted the event.
The ANC of Europe is known abroad as the European-Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy. In 2001–after years of preparation–the Federation established offices in Brussels–Belgium–the seat of the European Community.
Headed by Tchoboian–the organization’s effort focus on working to advance Armenian issues with members of the European Parliament–European Union–and other pan-European institutions.
The evening’s program began with remarks by ANCA-WR Governmental Relations Director Ardashes Kassakhian–who outlined the organization’s major accomplishmen’s over the past several months and reviewed his positive experience in working with Tchoboian at the Pro-Armenian Conference–recently held in Paris–France. The Chairman of the ANCA-WR–Raffi Hamparian followed by introducing Tchoboian as a "pioneer" of the Armenian Cause in Europe.
In her remarks–Tchoboian stressed the common issues that bind the ANCA-WR to the ANC of Europe and to ANC institutions all over the world. "Our Cause is universal," explained Tchobian. She emphasized the broad political challenges faced by Armenian communities throughout Europe–from France to Spain–from Italy to Belgium. "As the President of the European-Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy–one of my great challenges is bringing our combined energies together to advance common goals of Genocide recognition and freedom for Armenia and Artsakh."
Tchoboian has been working for the Armenian Cause and human rights advocacy all her adult life. During her longtime participation in France’s legendary Hai Tad Committee (France’s equivalent of the ANC)–she helped spearhead the groundbreaking recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the European Union and the French Parliament. Tchoboian has been a leader in Hai Tad’s Europe-wide lobbying efforts since 1986.
With degrees in Political Science–Economics and International Human Rights–Tchoboian also acts as a consultant to various United Nations human rights bodies and publishes the monthly Caucasus Bulletin–dedicated to human rights problems in the Caucasus.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices–chapters–and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world–the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.