New USC fellows program seeks to help Armenia face challengesMarch 1, 2019 - 10:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, L.A. Councilmember Paul Krekorian, and USC Dornsife have teamed up with the government of Armenia to form the USC Institute of Armenian Studies Policy Fellows Program. In the quarter century since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, the Republic of Armenia has struggled to establish a stable and genuine democratic government. Last year’s “velvet revolution,” one of the most peaceful regime changes in the country’s history, offered many new hope. But challenges are many, and the country continues to navigate the opportunities and obstacles that come with the transition to a democratic government. “This fellowship brings public servants from Armenia to observe, engage with, learn from and contribute to the work of various L.A. city departments,” said Salpi Ghazarian, director of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies. “It’s a program that bridges the intellectual capacities of the university, the administrative and governance capacity of the City of Los Angeles, and the new, exciting needs of the government of Armenia.” The program responds to the historical changes currently occurring in the Republic of Armenia. “The world expected post-Soviet societies to naturally transition to functioning democracies,” said Ghazarian, “forgetting that the frameworks that make for effective, participatory governance don’t exist there.” To help Armenia approach sustainable governance, the Institute of Armenian Studies invites mid-career public servants to L.A. to experience the inner workings of a democratic society. Intended to facilitate an open dialogue between Armenian and American policymakers, the fellows program encourages the two governments to learn and grow from one another. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |