View source for Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs

{{Short description|Armenian government agency}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox government agency
| name            = Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs
| native_name_a   = Սփյուռքի գործերի գլխավոր հանձնակատարի գրասենյակ
| native_name_r   = {{lang|hy-Latn|Spyurk’i gorceri glkhavor handznakatari grasenyak}}
| logo            = Logo of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs.png
| logo_size       = 230
| formed          = 14 June 2019
| jurisdiction    = [[Government of Armenia]]
| headquarters    = 3 Vazgen Sargsyan Street, [[Yerevan]], [[Armenia]]
| minister1_name  = [[Zareh Sinanyan]]
| minister1_pfo   = High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs
| website         = [http://diaspora.gov.am/en diaspora.gov.am]
}}
The '''Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs''' ({{langx|hy|Հայաստանի Հանրապետության սփյուռքի գործերի գլխավոր հանձնակատարի գրասենյակ}}) is a government agency in [[Armenia]] in charge of coordinating and developing the country's relations with the [[Armenian diaspora]]. It was established on 11 June 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Diaspora - Office |url=http://diaspora.gov.am/en/structures/1/office-of-high-commissioner |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=diaspora.gov.am |language=en}}</ref> to replace the now-defunct Ministry of Diaspora.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tamrazian |first=Harry |date=2019-06-17 |title=Diaspora Commissioner Buoyed By Status, Powers |url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/30004288.html |access-date=2024-01-05 |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|Azatutyun]] |language=hy}}</ref>
== History ==
=== Ministry of Diaspora ===
The precursor to the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs was the Ministry of Diaspora, created on 1 October 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan's Message to Firth Armenia-Diaspora Conference Participants |date=2014-09-19 |url=https://www.gov.am/en/news/item/7543/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=www.gov.am |language=en}}</ref> This ministry was established as a direct response to the growing need for a more organized and dedicated approach to [[Armenia]]-[[Armenian diaspora|Diaspora]] relations, which had become a significant aspect of the state's policy under the presidency of [[Serzh Sargsyan]]. Led by [[Hranush Hakobyan]] for nearly a decade, the ministry aimed to strengthen homeland-Diaspora ties, develop Armenia's reputation, and support the preservation and dissemination of Armenian cultural heritage globally.
[[Mkhitar Hayrapetyan]], who served as the Minister of Diaspora from 11 May 2018, to 14 January 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia {{!}} Official Web Site {{!}} parliament.am |url=http://www.parliament.am/deputies.php?ID=1370&lang=eng&sel=details |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=www.parliament.am}}</ref> played a significant role during the transition period. Under his leadership, the ministry initiated several reforms and programs aimed at strengthening the diaspora's connection to Armenia.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ռ/Կ |first=«Ազատություն» |date=2018-05-22 |title=Diaspora Minister Proposes Forming a Parliament for the Diaspora in Armenia |url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/29242994.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |work=«Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան |language=hy}}</ref>
== Transition and establishment ==
In a bid to reorganize and potentially enhance the efficiency of diaspora engagement, the [[Government of Armenia|Armenian government]] decided to disband the Ministry of Diaspora.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.arlis.am/DocumentView.aspx?DocID=130615 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=www.arlis.am |script-title=hy:ՀՀ ՕՐԵՆՔԸ «ԿԱՌԱՎԱՐՈՒԹՅԱՆ ԿԱՌՈՒՑՎԱԾՔԻ ԵՎ ԳՈՐԾՈՒՆԵՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՄԱՍԻՆ» ՕՐԵՆՔՈՒՄ ՓՈՓՈԽՈՒԹՅՈՒՆՆԵՐ ԵՎ ԼՐԱՑՈՒՄՆԵՐ ԿԱՏԱՐԵԼՈՒ ՄԱՍԻՆ |lang=hy}}</ref> In its place, the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs was created on 14 June 2019. Following the establishment of the new office, [[Zareh Sinanyan]] was appointed as the High Commissioner, signifying a new phase in Armenia's diaspora policy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Staff - Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs |website=The Government of the Republic of Armenia |url=https://www.gov.am/en/diaspora-affairs/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |language=en}}</ref>
== Programs ==
The Office of the High Commissioner has introduced various programs designed to connect the [[Armenian diaspora]] more closely with their homeland. These include:
* Step Toward Home: A rebranded version of the "Ari Tun" program, focusing on diaspora youth engagement with [[Culture of Armenia|Armenian culture]] and heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Armenia announces "Step Toward Home" 2023 program for Diaspora youth |url=https://en.armradio.am/2023/03/21/armenia-announces-step-toward-home-2023-program-for-diaspora-youth/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Public Radio of Armenia |language=en-US}}</ref>
* iGorts: Encourages diaspora professionals to contribute to Armenia's public sector by offering temporary positions within government agencies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-15 |title=Applications for Armenian Government's "iGorts" Work Program Now Being Accepted |url=https://hetq.am/en/article/153214 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Hetq.am |language=en}}</ref>
* NerUzh: A startup initiative aimed at integrating diaspora entrepreneurs into Armenia's burgeoning tech ecosystem.<ref>{{Cite web |last=euser |date=2024-01-23 |title=Armenia's 'Neruzh 4.0 Diaspora Tech Startup Program' accepts grant applications |url=https://eufordigital.eu/armenias-neruzh-4-0-diaspora-tech-startup-program-accepts-grant-applications/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=EU4Digital |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program: An initiative aimed at empowering Diaspora Armenian youth leaders with comprehensive knowledge of Armenia's multifaceted societal aspects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New opportunity to strengthen Armenia-Diaspora ties: 2022 Diaspora Youth Ambassador program launched |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093545/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=armenpress.am |date=28 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* Repatriation and Integration Center: This is a resource aimed at simplifying the [[repatriation]] process for Diaspora Armenians. It offers support across various facets of resettlement and facilitates a smoother transition and integration into Armenian society, promoting a welcoming environment for those seeking to relocate to their ancestral [[homeland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The first Repatriation and Integration Center opened in Yerevan |url=https://www.primeminister.am/en/press-release/item/2023/07/27/Nikol-Pashinyan/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=www.primeminister.am |language=en}}</ref>
* DiasPro Volunteer Program: DiasPro connects Diaspora Armenian professionals with [[Government of Armenia|Armenian government]] institutions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DiasPro program has been launched for volunteer professionals from the Diaspora |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1122791.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=armenpress.am |date=25 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* Institute of Diaspora Commissioners: An expansion of the networking capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs through the appointment of Diaspora Affairs Commissioners in foreign countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hayk Azizbekyan was appointed the commissioner of diaspora affairs in the Netherlands |url=http://radar.am/en/news/social-2611318710/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Radar.am}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Armenian diaspora]]
* [[Armenian General Benevolent Union]]
* [[Birthright Armenia]]
* [[Repat Armenia]]
* [[Repatriation of Armenians]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Armenia topics}}
{{Armenian diaspora}}
{{Government of Armenia}}
{{Portal bar|Politics}}
==External links==
* [http://diaspora.gov.am/en Official website]
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Government ministries of Armenia]]
[[Category:Armenian diaspora]]
{{Armenia-stub}}