On December 2, Members of the “Welcome to Armenia” Diplomatic Association of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia headed by Natalia Nalbandian, the President of the Association, visited UWC Dilijan International College.

At the beginning of the visit they were introduced to the Dilijan Community Centre, where Veronika Zonabend, co-founder of IDeA (Initiatives for Development of Armenia) Foundation, and its representatives introduced the projects being implemented both in the Centre, and in Dilijan and other regions of the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh. Participants attached importance to the reorganization of the Centre, which could play a significant role in the activation of community life in Dilijan.

Then the participants visited UWC Dilijan International College, which unites 190 students from 64 countries. They had a meeting with John Puddefoot, Head of the College, who presented the main directions of activities of the UWC Dilijan. Afterwards, the Association Members, accompanied by the students, made a tour at the College and its campus and got acquainted with the study and living conditions.

The Association members highlighted the importance of the College within the context of progress in education field and enhancement of Armenia’s ties with the world through education, as well as creation of new jobs and development of Dilijan.

During the briefing with journalists, Natalia Nalbandian, President of the Association, presented the activities of the “Welcome to Armenia” Association while also outlining the goals of the visit to UWC Dilijan and sharing her impressions from that experience. Particularly, Ms. Nalbandian noted that she invited the Members of the Association to provide them an opportunity to see those good and positive things that exist in our country. She also expressed hope that the number of such projects and initiatives should increase as they play a significant role in the development of small cities, as well as in strengthening Armenia’s positions in education field in accordance with the highest international standards. In her words, UWC Dilijan is not just a school, but a new concept for educating the youth which is responsible for its future and future of its countries.

Note: “Welcome to Armenia” Diplomatic Association was founded in 2009. It unites the spouses of Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Armenia and diplomats, female diplomats. The main goal of the Association is to facilitate the integration of the families of foreign diplomats into the Armenian society. The Association introduces the centuries-old history and traditions of our country to foreign diplomats through meetings with the families of the Armenian diplomats, representatives of the Armenian cultural, scientific and business circles. The Association also organizes free of charge lessons of the Armenian language for the spouses of the diplomats and female diplomats.