LOS ANGELES—As the situation in Syria worsens each day, the importance of education about the crisis in the region and its implications on the Christian Armenian minority has reached a critical point. On Thursday, December 27, the Armenian Youth Federation came together with members of the community in an Educational Forum about the conflict in Syria and its repercussions on the Armenian population in the region, as well as the homeland.
The forum was open to the public and was meant to educate the Armenian community about the detrimental circumstances facing the Syrian-Armenian community today, while motivating its audience to take action and help spread awareness.
Speakers at the forum included Mesrobian Armenian School Principal Seto Boyajian, Western Prelacy Executive Director Sarkis Mahserejian, and Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund member Sona Madarian. Topics of discussion ranged from the geopolitical implications of the Syrian conflict, effects of the conflict on the Syrian Armenian community and the homeland, to the future of the Syrian Armenian community.
“The evening of December 27 at the Armenian Center in Hollywood was yet another testimony that our community in Los Angeles is deeply concerned in the events and the turmoil affecting Syria and our compatriots in that country,” said Mahseredjian. “The attendees were mostly young people who do care about developments involving Armenians thousands of miles away and want to have an impact in the life of our nation.”
Along side the discussion of the events that are causing the Civil War in Syria, the presenters also showed the current state of the Armenians in Syria and discussed the actions that the Syria Armenian Relief Fund has undertaken since its inception.
“The fate of the Armenian Nation lies in the hands of every single Armenian. The Armenian nation is one, and it’s hardships to survive require a unified effort from all Armenians,: said Madarian who inspired the audience with her message about unity amongst Armenians. “We hope that as a unified nation we continue to grow and get stronger. We hope that with unified dedication to our cause, we can persevere toward a bright future.”
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization in the United States, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian-American youth.
