Environmental News

PRESS RELEASE
March 30, 2007

Deforestation Panel to Launch Armenian Environmental Network

WASHINGTON, DC--Why is deforestation such a critical problem in Armenia? What are its social and economic consequences? What can we do about it? The Armenian Environmental Network (AEN) is hosting its inaugural event in Washington on Monday, April 9, where various experts will discuss “Deforestation in Armenia and the Path to Recovery.”

AEN is a newly formed group of development professionals and students who are working to raise awareness about a variety of environmental problems in Armenia as they affect public health, democracy building, economic development, and security.

The panelists will include Charles Dunlap, senior program manager of the US Civilian Research and Development Foundation, Frauke Jungbluth, senior rural development economist at the World Bank, Jeffrey Tufenkian, president of Armenian Forests NGO, and Jeff Masarjian, executive director of Armenia Tree Project.

The event will also include opening remarks by Ursula Kazarian, the founding director of AEN’s main branch in Washington. Kazarian will discuss the mission of AEN and highlight the network’s collaboration with environmental activists and professionals in Armenia.

“In partnership with colleagues in Armenia and the US, we have initiated the Armenian Environmental Network to introduce environmental and energy concerns as critical and urgent factors for consideration within Armenia’s traditional development context,” stated Kazarian. “We are aiming to attract development professionals, environmental activists, and students to the network, with the goal of promoting public awareness and education in environmental issues as they pertain to Armenia’s overall development.

“Worldwide, environmental issues such as water shortages, energy security, and climate change are being increasingly recognized by governments and international organizations as critical to human rights, political stability, and economic growth. We have a shared responsibility as Armenians to incorporate these factors into our traditional views of Armenia’s development.

“There is a lot of good work being done on the ground by locals as well as by outside organizations, and it is time that those activities were recognized and appreciated by those outside of Armenia who may be interested in supporting these projects.”

Eventually, AEN hopes to help direct such support both through fundraising and collaboration with development practitioners based in Armenia. “There are so many talented individuals and groups who will benefit from increased communication, both among each other as well as with outside sources. This network is long overdue,” continued Kazarian.

AEN is in its final stages of organization development and will be launching a website soon to complement its public activities. However, the network already has an active group of members in Armenia and the US. For more information about AEN or to join the network, contact Jeffrey Tufenkian in Yerevan at jeffrey@armenianforests.am, Ursula Kazarian in Washington at ursula.kazarian@gmail.com, or Jason Sohigian in Boston at jsohigian@gmail.com.

The April 9 event will be held from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at World Bank Conference Room MC 4-100, 1818 H Street NW, Washington (Foggy Bottom Metro). To attend, RSVP is required by April 5 to ursula.kazarian@gmail.com.

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