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Vision -    
Birthright Armenia envisions a powerful, broad-based network of organizations
and individuals committed to making service to and experiences in
Armenia an essential rite of passage afforded to all young Armenians
across the world. Birthright Armenia envisions:
- A significant percentage of Diasporan youth having personal
ties to Armenia, a better understanding of the social, cultural,
economic, and political issues and needs there, and globally participating
in Armenia’s development.
- Energized and inspired Armenian homeland youth, committed to
remaining in Armenia, as a result of a better understanding of
their critical role in nation building and a stronger connection
to their Diasporan counterparts.
- The development of future leaders of the Diaspora with a better
understanding of and strong ties with the homeland, promoting
the importance of participation in Armenia’s development
within their local communities worldwide.
Mission
To strengthen ties between the homeland and Diasporan youth by affording
them an opportunity to be a part of Armenia’s daily life and
to contribute to Armenia’s development through work, study and
volunteer experiences, while developing life-long personal ties and
a renewed sense of Armenian identity. Guiding Principles
of Birthright Armenia:
To realize our vision and mission, we follow key guiding principles
that include:
- Birthright Armenia believes that it is every Armenian’s
birthright to experience Armenia with each person provided an equal
opportunity to exercise this birthright through a set of multi-faceted
experiences in their homeland.
- Birthright Armenia believes that immersion type
programs, especially of longer duration, foster a greater sense of
commitment and result in a deeper spiritual, cultural and intellectual
understanding of Armenian identity, people and issues.
- Birthright Armenia believes that young adults
in the 20-32 year old age bracket are the most impressionable, and
are open to a journey of self-discovery of their Armenian identity.
- Birthright Armenia is committed to creating and
providing the tools and opportunities that insure every young Diapsoran
traveling to Armenia can acquire at least basic communication skills
to ensure that their experiences in Armenia will be more meaningful,
productive, and personal.
- Birthright Armenia believes immersion type programs,
ones with a focus on encouraging interaction with and participation
of locals, is a key to creating a sustainable bridge between the Diaspora
and Armenia.
- Birthright Armenia believes that programs that
focus on Armenia and those that focus on the Diaspora are not mutually
exclusive. Programs offering such experiences in Armenia will serve
as a feeding ground for future leaders of Diasporan communities. It
is with strong ties to the homeland and a renewed sense of identity
and responsibility that young adults will be energized to take on
leadership positions within the Diaspora.
- Birthright Armenia believes that a commitment
to a longer term stay in Armenia will go beyond personal development
and will serve as a unique, career enhancing experience on the road
of professional development.
- Birthright Armenia believes it can best maximize
its impact by serving as a clearinghouse that supports and complements
existing organizations and institutions, rather than duplicating infrastructures
already in place.
- Birthright Armenia is committed to encompassing
the most forward thinking approaches, and incorporating a continual
self-evaluation process as integral parts of insuring that we maintain
a high level of quality.
- Birthright Armenia believes by increasing the
influx of Diasporan youth into Armenia through longer term stays,
there will be a multiplier effect through consumption based economic
development, which is a critical component for the short and long
term stability of our developing nation.
- Birthright Armenia believes that the time has come to lay the foundation to encourage repatriation.
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