On February 24, 2007 the UCSB ASA organized a charity concert to help the orphanages in Armenia. They invited all the ASAs to join them for the concert and the BBQ party before the charity night. CSUN ASA proudly attended and supported the event. “I though it was a magnificent concert and a creative method to bring together the Armenian youth for a worthy cause,” said Edgar Khovakimyan. There was a variety of bands performing, which included Tallulah, Motif, Vokee, Waking Moments, Aviatic, and Opus Dai, while those attending were able to surround the stage and support the performers. Overall, the bands were great, the atmosphere was relaxed, and the attendees where able to meet new people and socialize. It was also a great opportunity to unite with the other ASA’s, to get to know each other, and work together for the Armenian community.

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On February 22, 2007, the CSUN ASA hosted a relaxing night full of fun and interaction between the young Armenians. We were joined by most of our members making the night all the more enjoyable. Everybody had a chance of meeting our executive body, and we even had couple of Armenians joining the ASA that night. “I was very happy to see some many Armenians from CSUN interested in our event and in becoming a member. Our purpose as the ASA is to unite the Armenian students, and to see it all happen during our events and meetings puts a big smile on my face, after all the hard work,” said our Public Relations, Melissa Mazman. Indeed, Melissa speaks for all of us, and we all as well as our dedicated members are looking forward to meeting new Armenian Students and hopefully new additions to CSUN ASA.

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February 19, 2007 — The CSUN ASA invited the Glendale City Clerk, Ardashes Kassakhian, to be our first guest speaker of the semester. He spoke of his life story, from childhood to his present day experiences, encouraging everybody to be involved and stay involved in any Armenian organization or association. As a former UCLA ASA president, Ardashes Kassakhian was able to connect with us and most importantly the Armenian students, pointing out what we as Armenians should be doing to succeed and survive in this world. The meeting ended with students socializing. We hope that our general meeting gave more information to the young Armenians about ASA and the Armenian community, and educated them about community activism.

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February 3-4, 2007

On the weekend of February 3 rd -4 th , I attended the summit entitled Armenia's Development: The Students' Role at Columbia University in New York along with over 180 students from 67 different universities from around the world. The summit was organized by the Armenian Club of Columbia University and Advocates for Armenia (www.advocatesforarmenia.org) group and sponsored by the Armenian Center at Columbia University and Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). The summit was organized and led by the chair of the organization committee, Levon Bagramian.

The purpose of this summit was to engage students in the development of Armenia and to educate them about current events and changes taking place. With a plethora of guest speakers ranging from the IT and technology

industry, to the Health & Sciences, students were informed of the current standings in each of the industries and issues holding back further advancement.

The first day consisted of guest lectures and short Q & A sessions between students and the guest speakers. Consider it an 8 hour lecture course! By the end of the day, students were divided into various discussion groups, in which they would discuss the topic of issue regarding improvements in Armenia . The group topics went hand in hand with the lecture topics. Groups included Healthcare, Education, Law, Tourism, IT, etc. Students were provided with topic materials and information to read in preparation for the next day's brainstorming session.

On February 4 th , students returned to Columbia University prepared for a full day's discussion about their assigned topic. As groups formed in various study rooms throughout the University, the brainstorming sessions began. During the end of the day, students were expected to present their ideas and proposals for future changes for Armenia . Advocates for Armenia expressed their commitment to help implement and aid one of the project proposals from the summit meeting, through the coordination and various partnerships with groups in Armenia and funding organizations in the Diaspora.1

In total, there were 7 presentations given during the end of the summit filled with great ideas to help with Armenia 's development.

For those of us who were able to experience this event, I believe we all walked away with a little more knowledge about Armenia and its current situation. The summit also required every student to think in more detailed about how Armenia is actually progressing, and what possible issues are restricting further growth for the country as a whole.

Arpy Malaky
CSUN Alumni ‘05
CSUN ASA- Historian/Student Advisor

1. Advocates for Armenia Press Release, 2/13/07

Press Conference at Turkish Consulate: Hrant Dink Assasination

January 20 , 2007

On January 20, 2007 the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region, the leaders of the Armenian American community in Los Angeles area, human rights activists, and about twenty other community organizations and leaders gathered in front of the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles.

One of the organizations was the CSUN ASA, which was present at the press conference where many spoke of the situation about Hrant Dink and the ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide by the Turkish government. “It is the apex of hypocrisy for the Turkish government to condemn this murder when it is they who have emboldened a culture of intolerance, hate, and genocide with their continuing denial of the Armenian Genocide. It is the Turkish government who is responsible for this latest victim of the Armenian Genocide,” remarked Zanku Armenian, ANCA-WR Board Member and spokesman for the event.

Many spoke during the press conference:California State Assembly Member, Paul Krekorian, Frank Zerunyan, Chairman of the Armenian Bar Association and Mayor Pro-Tempore of Rolling Hills Estates. Also Ara Najarian, Glendale City Council Member, joined them to draw comparisons between the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. and the slain editor who was an advocate for minority rights in Turkey.

Carla Gaapedian, director of the movie, SCREAMERS, also spoke. Hrant Dink was interviewed in the film where he addressed the pressures faced by those seeking to raise the issue of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey. Katusha Galitzine, Freedom to Write Director from PEN USA joined the conference, too. “Dink, whose campaign against the law making it a crime to insult the Turkish State, particularly as it relates to the killings of Armenians in the early years of the last century, has paid the highest price with his own life.”

We were also joined by representatives from the Prelacy of the Armenian Church (Western U.S.), Diocese of the Armenian Church (Western U.S.), the Armenian Catholic Exarchate of North America, the Organization of Istanbul Armenians, the Ramgavar Party, the American Hellenic Council, the United Human Rights Council, Homenetmen (Western U.S.), the Armenian Youth Federation (Western U.S.), and the ANC-Professional Network.

Lusine Harutyunyan
CSUN ASA Historian 2006-2007

On Friday, December 15, 2006 the we hosted world renowned journalist Robert Fisk at CSUN. Attracting an audience of over 250, the event was put together by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), the United Human Rights Council, and the CSUN Armenian Student Association. Cosponsors of the event were the CSUN Armenian Studies Program, the CSUN AEO, and the CSUN AGA.

Robert Fisk engaged the audience with a discussion of topics ranging from his experiences in the Middle East to the Armenian Genocide. His presentation style was as provocative and interesting as his pieces in the Independent. His firsthand accounts of Lebanon and its turmoil including the devastating civil war hit close to home for many of the Lebanese-Armenian audience members who grew up in that country. And for those who have not been directly affected by the events in Lebanon, Robert Fisk painted a detailed and realistic narrative, aided by a video presentation of an Australian news channel's story about his work.

The evening concluded with a heated question and answer session and a book signing.

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Pre-Event Press Release From the ANCA

NORTHRIDGE, CA --- Robert Fisk, world renowned author of several books about the Middle East and foreign correspondent for one of the United Kingdom's leading newspapers, The Independent , will speak at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) about his latest book, “The Great War for Civilisation.” Fisk will discuss some of the issues addressed in his book about contemporary conflicts in the Middle East region and their historical roots. The lecture will take place at the University Student Union's Grand Salon on Friday, December 15, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.

The event is co-hosted by the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) and the United Human Rights Council (UHRC), along with the CSUN Armenian Studies Program, the Armenian Student Association, Alpha Epsilon Omega fraternity, and Alpha Gamma Alpha sorority.

"Fisk's unique insight as someone on the ground with in-depth knowledge of these conflicts makes him one of the most engaging speakers in the field," noted Haig Hovsepian, Community Relations Director for the ANCA-WR. "Fisk is known for speaking his mind and will undoubtedly address difficult issues at the intersection of American and European foreign policy and the various cultures and interests at play in the Middle East."

Of particular interest to the Armenian American community, Fisk is one of the world's best known journalists and has distinguished himself in his effort to inform the world about the Armenian Genocide. In his latest book, “The Great War for Civilisation,” Fisk dedicates an entire chapter to the Armenian Genocide, which he titles "The First Holocaust." He provides the historical details of the genocide, reveals interviews with survivors in Lebanon, and decries the Turkish and U.S. governments' complicity in genocide denial today.

"The 20th century was one of great violence and repeatedly marked by human rights abuses and genocide," commented Chris Yemenidjian, Chair of the UHRC. "We look forward to Mr. Fisk's analysis of the root causes of today's contemporary conflicts."

Robert Fisk's articles in The Independent:
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/fisk/

Robert Fisk's newest book:
The Great War For Civilisation