Toronto – Organized by the Armenian Embassy in Canada, with the participation of all Armenian Organizations and Churches, the Armenian Community in Toronto was invited to a Public Meeting with Ms. Hranush Hakobyan, Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia.

The event was emceed by Vazken Terzian  and took place in the Babayan ballroom of AGBU’s Alex Manoogian Cultural Centre on Friday February 27, 2009. AGBU Chair Knar Basmadjian welcomed the guests and Arman Akopian, Charge d’Affaires of the Armenian Embassy in Canada, introduced the Minister.

In a very informative and interesting speech, Minister Hakobyan talked about the challenges that Armenians are facing both in Armenia and the diaspora. She stressed the importance of Armenia and the Armenian diaspora’s reciprocal relationship.

“To keep Armenians Armenian in the Diaspora, it is vital to keep the Armenian language, the Armenian family, the Armenian culture and faith,” she said. She thanked AGBU for the Armenian Virtual College project as an amazing tool that will help realize this goal.

A question-and-answer period followed her speech.