SYDNEY: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) is set to have its biggest Advocacy Week ever with a broad spectrum of Armenian-Australian and other community groups sharing similar interests supporting the organisation during its annual, week-long concentrated advocacy efforts on Armenian issues from November 20 to November 27.
ANC Australia’s Representatives in Western Sydney, Melbourne and Northern Sydney will be joining ANC Australia’s National Board during Advocacy Week activities in Canberra and Sydney, while the Australian Hellenic Council (AHC) , Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA) and the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia (AYF Australia) will also bring their participation to the joint advocacy efforts.
ANC Australia Advocacy Week 2011 will kick off on Sunday 20 November with a seminar, ‘Advocacy in a New Era,’ where participants will exchange ideas and develop new strategies to bring greater attention to Armenian issues. On Wednesday 23 November, ANC Australia’s international guest for Advocacy Week 2011, ANC World Council Chairman Mr Hagop Der Khatchadourian will deliver a short presentation on international Armenian issues, then open the floor to a ‘Q & A’ session at the Armenian Cultural Panoyan Centre in Western Sydney.
A highlight of Advocacy Week 2011, ANC Australia’s Annual Banquet on Friday 25 November will bring together Australian legislators, guests and prominent Armenian-Australians. The banquet will showcase the projects undertaken by ANC Australia throughout 2011 and will provide the community with a comprehensive overview of the activities ANC Australia will embark upon in 2012.
Advocacy Week this year will culminate with the largest social and public outdoor event on the Armenian-Australian community calendar, Armenian Family Day, which will be held on Sunday 27 November at Ryde No.1 Oval. The annual event organised by ANC Australia with the support of Homenetmen Sporting and Scouting Association, Hamazkaine Cultural and Educational Association, AYF Australia and the Armenian Relief society will feature, live bands, music, dance, entertainment for children, as well as traditional food and drinks.
Excited by the multitude of engaging public activities forming part of Advocacy Week 2011, ANC Australia Community Relations Director Stephen Abolakian commented: “With strong support from several Armenian-Australian organisations and the broader community, we are definitely expecting a record collective participation at our Advocacy Week functions this year. We are also confident that the support we receive from our community will help us achieve major progress in our advocacy efforts throughout the week.”
