Guiding Principles

To realize our vision and mission, we follow key guiding principles that include:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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. 

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. Birthright Armenia believes that the time has come to lay the foundation to encourage repatriation.