Armenia visit for leading UK political commentator Iain Dale
From 6th - 9th Sept 2009 Iain Dale travelled to the Armenian capital Yerevan on behalf of the John Smith Memorial Trust in order to promote the work of the Trust and to encourage applications for the 2010 John Smith Fellowship Programme.
Iain, who was accompanied by Trust Events Manager Aisling Conboy, is one of the UK’s leading political commentators and is best know for his blog* which he updated daily whilst in Armenia. Iain and Aisling, who were both travelling to Armenia for the first time, had a busy schedule advertising the 2010 Programme to a wide range of audiences. They took part in three television interviews (pictured below) whilst in Armenia – with “Glance at the World” [Armedia]; “Armenians in Europe” [Armnews/Euronews]; and “Haylur” [Public TV].
Photo courtesy of Iain Dale
Iain and Aisling met with local NGO representatives working in the media, political bloggers, and representatives of ARMACAD and Armenian British Connect. At the Ani Plaza Hotel, they delivered a presentation to potential applicants about the John Smith Fellowship Programme attended by around 40 guests including John Smith Fellows Poghos Shahinyan, Artyom Geghamyan, Natalya Harutyunyan and Gayane Hovakimyan.
HMA Charles Lonsdale hosted a reception to launch the EU Skills Project, attended by both Iain and Aisling at the Ambassador’s residence. They met the Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Ghazinyan and other ministerial officials who were keen to learn about the Programme and the work of the Trust.
Aisling and Iain promote the 2010 Fellowship Programme
Aisling spent time visiting the work places of 2009 Fellows Artak Ghazaryan and Artyom Geghamyan. Artyom works at the Armenian Ministry of Justice as Head of the Department for the Relations with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). His work relates to the Armenian implementation of decisions made by the European Court of Human Rights. Artak is Director of the Competitive Armenian Private Sector Project (USAID). He is currently working on the ‘IT for All’ project which, in cooperation with Dell and Intel, aims to increase computer ownership from the current 15% to 70% in Armenia.
Iain and Aisling were delighted to spend an evening at the Charentsi 28 Restaurant with John Smith Fellows David Avetissian (2003), Poghos Shahinyan (2004), Artyom Geghamyan (2009), Artak Ghazaryan (2009), Maria Sadoyan (2004), Hrayr Gyonjyan (2008), Natalya Harutyunyan (2007), Armenuhi Mkrtchyan (2007), Gayane Hovakimyan (2006), and Armen Martirosyan (2000).
Iain’s visit received a large amount of publicity and media attention in Armenia and is the first JSMT visit to be blogged, with information reaching new audiences. The Trust would like to thank Mariam Movsisyan (British Council Armenia) for her excellent organization of Iain’s visit, HMA Charles Lonsdale for his generous hospitality and support, and our John Smith Fellows for making Iain’s and Aisling’s first trip to Armenia very special.
September 2009