We end our series on USAID’s 25 year history in Armenia by talking with USAID Armenia Mission Director Debbie Grieser about the past, present, and future of USAID Armenia. She speaks about how the organization originally provided humanitarian aid to a newly independent nation, but now is  working in a variety of sectors to support … Continue reading "USAID: From aid to trade, part 3"

We continue our celebration of the 25th anniversary of USAID’s mission to Armenia by looking at how today’s mission prioritizes developing Armenia’s economy and civil society to ensure it can take advantage of the global marketplace. In this episode we talk to one of USAID’s partners in this effort, Bagrat Yengibaryan, executive director of Enterprise … Continue reading "USAID: From aid to trade, part 2"

As we celebrate 25 years of USAID’s mission in Armenia, we explore the organization’s early focus on humanitarian assistance in Armenia, from the 1988 earthquake to the difficult post-independence period. In the first of three podcasts on USAID’s legacy in Armenia, we are at the Gyumri American Corner talking with Armen Varosyan, currently with the … Continue reading "USAID: From aid to trade, part 1"

Not all volunteerism and community service is done by individuals. Christoph Speck, general manager of Coca-Cola HBC Armenia, talks about corporate social responsibility (CSR) and why companies like Coca-Cola think it pays to give back to the community. He talks about how CSR helps build a company’s values, giving its employees a shared goal that … Continue reading "Christoph Speck: Wanting the world to be a better place"

As Peace Corps celebrates its 25th year in Armenia, Gina Grotelueschen, director of programming and training at Peace Corps Armenia, talks to a group of Peace Corps Volunteers serving in Armenia about their experiences and the community involvement, NGO support, and volunteerism they bring to the country.

In our first podcast from the Vanadzor American Corner, we talk to Taguhi Kharatyan, volunteer program coordinator for the Dilijan Community Center. She speaks about how volunteering helped her develop as a professional and how she is now working with Dilijan’s youth to develop a spirit of volunteerism aimed at helping their community grow.

Aram Ter-Zakaryan, a 2004 alum of the Muskie exchange program who currently works as the environmental manager of UNDP Armenia, talks about his experience studying at Ball State University in Indiana and how he uses what he learned in his post at the UN. He describes the perceptions people have of environmentalism while highlighting the … Continue reading "Aram Ter-Zakaryan: Tackle the problems today"

Nune Harutyunyan, director of the Regional Environmental Center for Caucasus, talks about how businesses, governments, and individuals can win by following environmental practices. She stresses that environmental protection doesn’t just cost money, but can actually make businesses profit if done right.

An alumnus of the U.S. Government’s Fulbright Program, Ruben Mirakyan returned to Armenia with new ideas, skills, and passions. Dr. Mirakyan’s time at UC Santa Barbara as a Fulbright Scholar allowed him to explore in-depth the topic of religious diversity [and to study a minority religion in a diverse country.].  The university’s religious studies department … Continue reading "Ruben Mirakyan: From Fulbright to e-publishing"

Long-time English teacher Hripsime Khanzadyan talks about the educator who inspired her to be a teacher, how she tries to customize her classrooms to maximize student success, and her latest efforts serving as a mentor for new teachers participating in Teach for Armenia. “English gives you wings,” she said. “If you know English you can … Continue reading "Hripsime Khanzadyan: English gives you wings"