For Second Year, Armenian Community of China Gains Official Voice in Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program
The fifth edition of the Diaspora Youth Ambassador program (DYAP) was officially launched on September 22 in Yerevan, organized by the RA Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs. The initiative brings together 27 young Armenians from 14 countries across the globe—France, Germany, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Romania, the Netherlands, Georgia, Iran, China, Estonia, and Canada—to deepen their ties with the homeland.
The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks from Mushegh Ghukasyan, Chief of Staff of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Lilit Khachatryan, Program Manager of the Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program, and Hovhannes Aleksanyan, Head of the Repatriation and Integration Center.
This year’s program holds particular significance for the Armenian community of China, as it marks the second consecutive year of its official participation. This continued involvement is a crucial step in strengthening the community’s visibility and legitimacy within the broader narrative of the Armenian nation, affirming that every corner of the global diaspora plays a vital role in the motherland’s development.
The Armenian community in China is proudly represented this year by Mane Vardanian, a brilliant master’s degree student at one of China’s most prestigious and highly ranked institutions, Nanjing University, and a member of the Armenian Student Association of China. She has successfully passed a competitive two-round application and interview process conducted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs.
Mane Vardanian is no stranger to representing her heritage. An active and accomplished individual, she has participated in numerous international conferences and academic forums, as well as represented Armenia at significant Chinese fairs and international festivals, skillfully bridging the two cultures.
The 13-day program in Armenia is designed to provide participants like Mane with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary Armenia through lectures, workshops, and visits to government institutions, cultural sites, and different regions. Following the training, the ambassadors will spend a year implementing community projects inspired by their experience.
The official participation of the Armenian community of China for the second time, through a representative of Mane Vardanian’s profile, sends a powerful message. It underscores the community’s commitment to engaging with the homeland and ensures that its voice is heard, recognized, and integrated into Armenia’s future.
