NEW YORK—It was a festive occasion as friends, colleagues and supporters gathered to celebrate the Tufenkian Foundation’s 20th Anniversary. Held at the Tufenkian Carpets showroom in Manhattan on Sunday, May 19, the event featured presentations by James Tufenkian, Varant Meguerditchian, and special guest Serj Tankian, who addressed Armenia’s numerous environmental concerns, focusing especially on mining.

The program opened with welcoming remarks by MC Marisa Mesropian-Fisher, who recounted the Foundation’s accomplishments in promoting social protection, civic activism, and cultural enrichment in Armenia, as well as borderland resettlement and economic development in Nagorno-Karabagh. She then introduced Foundation trustee Antranig Kasbarian, who gave an overview of the afternoon program, as well as the Foundation’s larger, overarching mission.

NEW YORK—It was a festive occasion as friends, colleagues and supporters gathered to celebrate the Tufenkian Foundation’s 20th Anniversary. Held at the Tufenkian Carpets showroom in Manhattan on Sunday, May 19, the event featured presentations by James Tufenkian, Varant Meguerditchian, and special guest Serj Tankian, who addressed Armenia’s numerous environmental concerns, focusing especially on mining.

The program opened with welcoming remarks by MC Marisa Mesropian-Fisher, who recounted the Foundation’s accomplishments in promoting social protection, civic activism, and cultural enrichment in Armenia, as well as borderland resettlement and economic development in Nagorno-Karabagh. She then introduced Foundation trustee Antranig Kasbarian, who gave an overview of the afternoon program, as well as the Foundation’s larger, overarching mission.

Tankian was followed by Varant Meguerditchian, Executive Director of the Mining Legislation Reform Institute, based in Yerevan. In a detailed slide show, Meguerditchian explained the need to reform Armenia’s mining laws, which are often weak or fail to conform to international best practices. As a result, mining companies have been encouraged to act irresponsibly, whether in terms of abusing the natural environment, creating unsafe public health conditions, or failing to contribute sufficiently to state revenue.

The final speaker was Foundation President and Founder James Tufenkian. In a direct and personal appeal, Tufenkian argued that Armenia must value its mineral assets in a way that will truly benefit the country. To date, the state coffers have been enriched very little by mining activity, which creates an imbalance between the public costs borne by the country versus the material benefits the country can receive.

Tankian was followed by Varant Meguerditchian, Executive Director of the Mining Legislation Reform Institute, based in Yerevan. In a detailed slide show, Meguerditchian explained the need to reform Armenia’s mining laws, which are often weak or fail to conform to international best practices. As a result, mining companies have been encouraged to act irresponsibly, whether in terms of abusing the natural environment, creating unsafe public health conditions, or failing to contribute sufficiently to state revenue.

The final speaker was Foundation President and Founder James Tufenkian. In a direct and personal appeal, Tufenkian argued that Armenia must value its mineral assets in a way that will truly benefit the country. To date, the state coffers have been enriched very little by mining activity, which creates an imbalance between the public costs borne by the country versus the material benefits the country can receive.

http://asbarez.com/181045/tufenkian-foundation-celebrates-its-20th-anniversary/