His Holiness Karekin II Receives the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Armenia
On Thursday March 21, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received Mr. Joel Boutroue, the Resident Coordinator for the United Nations in Armenia. Mr. Boutroue is also Armenia?s Resident Representative for the UNDP (United Nations Development Program).
His Holiness welcomed the newly appointed Resident Coordinator and expressed satisfaction in his decision to begin his mission with a visit to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. During the meeting the possibilities for cooperation between the Mother See and the UN?s office in Armenia were discussed. Special attention was given to the development and implementation of social programs to assist those with special needs. His Holiness summarized for Mr. Boutroue the current level of social services that are being provided by the Mother See, some in tandem with organizations from the Diaspora. His Holiness outlined the wide range of social services that the Mother See has currently undertaken, and emphasized his hope that a new partnership with the UN will make it feasible to provide greater assistance to the people of Armenia.
Envisioning future social and educational programs, His Holiness stated, ?We have placed our hope in our ability to teach a new generation of young people to live with love and peace, and to cultivate in them, the talents to develop this nation.?
Mr. Boutroue spoke of his willingness to focus on social programs that will assist schools and campgrounds, as well as his hope that the UN can work to ease the suffering of the poor in Armenia. Mr. Boutroue also mentioned that he desires to meet with Armenian representatives in the Diaspora to explore avenues for future cooperation and program implementation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness asked for God to provide His Blessings and Protection to the newly appointed Resident Coordinator, and success to his mission in Armenia.
