On 12 March, UNHCR Armenia received a group of future clergymen studying at Gevorgian Theological Seminary of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia.
Students of the Gevorgian Theological Seminary and UNHCR staff after the visit was concluded, 12 March 2025. © UNHCR/Gayane Chukhajyan
The group of students was led by their lecturer of Diakonia, Dr. Karen Nazaryan who also serves as the Director of UNHCR’s longstanding partner – World Council of Churches Armenia Round Table Foundation.
The students were eager to learn about the refugee situation in Armenia and the humanitarian efforts to ensure their well-being and inclusion and better understand the humanitarian mandate and role of UNHCR, protecting and assisting refugees, helping them start a new life in dignity and peace.
Aramazd Ghalamkaryan, UNHCR, makes a presentation on UNHCR mandate and UNHCR Armenia activities for the Gevorgian Theological Seminary students, 12 March 2025, Yerevan, Armenia. © UNHCR/Anahit Hayrapetyan
“This study visit was quite an eye-opener for us. We received a thorough update about forcibly displaced people in Armenia, and UNHCR’s and partners’ efforts in helping the Government provide lifesaving assistance and find lasting solutions for the refugees,” the students were sharing their impressions about the event. “It was important to understand the state of the refugees, their needs and challenges, but also their successes and contributions to the Armenian society and economy,” they said, impressed by the UNHCR video showcasing the resilience of the refugees that has enabled them to live and work and build their future in Armenia.
Karen Khachatryan, UNHCR, answers questions voiced by future clergymen studying at the Gevorgian Theological Seminary, 12 March 2025, Yerevan, Armenia. © UNHCR/Anahit Hayrapetyan
The group was happy for the opportunity to ask questions, share their ideas and endeavours. Impressed by the students’ eagerness and commitment to support refugees, UNHCR colleagues highlighted the crucial role of faith-based organizations working frontline, providing humanitarian response and their invaluable input in bringing hope and consolation to the refugees and host communities.
Thanking UNHCR for the interesting and motivating meeting, Dr. Nazaryan stressed the importance of such study visits, “This was indeed an insightful event for our students – future clergymen, ready to serve for community people, including refugees, and help them as psychologists, social workers, mentors and supporters, and advocates for the rights of the refugees,” said Dr. Karen Nazaryan.
Dr. Karen Nazaryan, lecturer at the Gevorgian Theological Seminary introduces the purpose of their visit to UNHCR Armenia office in Yerevan, 12 March 2025, Yerevan, Armenia. © UNHCR/Anahit Hayrapetyan
In the context of the Global Compact on Refugees, aimed to strengthen the international response to the forcibly displaced, we recognize the key role of faith-based organizations in the formulation of a humanitarian and public discourse fostering values such as respect for others, community peacebuilding and human dignity reinforcement.
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