Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)

A heartfelt thank you to the Congressional Armenian Staff Association (CASA) for sharing their invaluable insights on life and careers on Capitol Hill with our ANCA Leo Sarkisian and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan interns today as part of our Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Day. Your mentorship provides not just career advice, but empowers the next generation of Armenian American leaders to make their mark in public service. To learn more about the ANCA's youth programs, please visit anca.org/youth #LSI25 #ANCASummer #ANCAYouthEmpowerment

TWO DAYS LEFT! We are excited to invite Armenian professionals and supporters in the DMV to our upcoming "Summer Solstice" networking event, taking place at Hive Hotel's Rooftop Bar. Date: Friday, June 20th When: 6:00 - 9:00 pm Where: Hive Bar (The Rooftop), 2224 F St NW, Washington, DC 20037 More info: networking@anca.org Strengthen your network and immerse yourself within the DC-MD-VA-Armenian professional community and supporters. And a bonus for this networking event - help us welcome the ANCA 2025 Leo Sarkisian / Maral Melkonian Avetisyan summer interns, who have gathered from cities across the US and Canada to gain hands-on experience in advocacy and contribute meaningfully to the Armenian Cause. Enjoy an evening of great food, drinks, and company, and connect with professionals from numerous industries. Whether you're an established professional or just starting your career, this event provides a unique opportunity to expand your network, share experiences, and learn from one another. Invite your colleagues, friends, and fellow Armenian-Americans to catch up and make many new connections. The ANCA "Summer Solstice" networking event is part of our Friday HyeLights networking series, generally held on the third Friday of each month at different locations, each offering new opportunities and themes. It builds on our current youth programs and professional development opportunities, including the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program (CGP), which has helped hundreds of qualified Armenian American recent graduates and professionals to secure positions in Congressional offices, federal agencies, think tanks, and other political and policy-making arenas throughout Washington, D.C. #ANCAFridayHyeLights #ANCA #NetworkingEvent

THREE DAYS LEFT! We are excited to invite Armenian professionals and supporters in the DMV to our upcoming "Summer Solstice" networking event, taking place at Hive Hotel's Rooftop Bar. Date: Friday, June 20th When: 6:00 - 9:00 pm Where: Hive Bar (The Rooftop), 2224 F St NW, Washington, DC 20037 More info: networking@anca.org Strengthen your network and immerse yourself within the DC-MD-VA-Armenian professional community and supporters. And a bonus for this networking event - help us welcome the ANCA 2025 Leo Sarkisian / Maral Melkonian Avetisyan summer interns, who have gathered from cities across the US and Canada to gain hands-on experience in advocacy and contribute meaningfully to the Armenian Cause. Enjoy an evening of great food, drinks, and company, and connect with professionals from numerous industries. Whether you're an established professional or just starting your career, this event provides a unique opportunity to expand your network, share experiences, and learn from one another. Invite your colleagues, friends, and fellow Armenian-Americans to catch up and make many new connections. The ANCA "Summer Solstice" networking event is part of our Friday HyeLights networking series, generally held on the third Friday of each month at different locations, each offering new opportunities and themes. It builds on our current youth programs and professional development opportunities, including the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program (CGP), which has helped hundreds of qualified Armenian American recent graduates and professionals to secure positions in Congressional offices, federal agencies, think tanks, and other political and policy-making arenas throughout Washington, D.C. #ANCAFridayHyeLights #ANCA #NetworkingEvent

The ANCA’s Leo Sarkisian and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Summer interns kicked off their first day with an engaging presentation by Executive Director Aram Hamparian and a press workshop with Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian. Excited for all that the newest members of our team will learn and accomplish! To learn more about our youth programs, please visit anca.org/youth #LSI25 #ANCASummer #ANCAYouthEmpowerment

Thank you to all who joined the ANCA team on Friday, June 13, for dinner at the Armenian Food Festival hosted by Soorp Khatch Armenian Church and the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) DC “Satenig” Chapter! As always, great food and wonderful conversations were had by all - while while supporting our DC-MD-VA community. Good news! The Armenian Food festival is continuing today (Saturday June 14th) until 9:00pm! Enjoy the food and stock up on the desserts. WHAT: Armenian Food Festival hosted by Soorp Khatch Armenian Church & ARS DC WHERE: Soorp Khatch Armenian Church – 4906 Flint Drive, Bethesda WHEN: Saturday, June 14th until 9:00pm EST Encourage friends and family to join you! https://lnkd.in/eW5j6qdA

“The U.S. must use its sanctions authority.” At its June 5th USCIRF hearing, Commissioner Vicky Hartzler called for targeted sanctions against Azerbaijani officials, international monitoring of Armenian religious sites, and conditional U.S. aid based on concrete religious freedom reforms. It’s time to hold Azerbaijan accountable. -- Watch and share the full clip here. -- Read full coverage of the USCIRF hearing on Azerbaijan at: https://lnkd.in/eUFXp4g5 #ReligiousFreedom #SanctionAzerbaijan #Artsakh #USCIRF #ArmenianHeritage

#WATCHLIVE: Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 10:30AM – 12:00PM EST Register: https://lnkd.in/dPVNKb8V U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing Religious Freedom Conditions in Azerbaijan USCIRF Reports: Religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan remain concerning. The country’s religion law imposes onerous registration requirements on religious communities to engage in religious activities legally. In recent years, following a deterioration of relations with Iran, the Azerbaijani government has arrested and imprisoned a record number of Shi’a Muslims, presumably on the basis of religion. Many of those imprisoned have accused law enforcement of physical violence and other forms of mistreatment. Religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh remain threatened as Azerbaijani authorities develop the region and eliminate Armenian cultural heritage. In February, USCIRF traveled to Azerbaijan to survey the country’s religious freedom conditions and meet with religious communities, human rights activists, and government officials. In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Azerbaijan to the Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom. Witnesses will discuss religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan. They will also share recommendations for the U.S. government to support religious freedom in Azerbaijan. Opening Remarks Stephen Schneck, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler, USCIRF Commissioner Panel Audrey L. Altstadt, Professor of History, University of Massachusetts Amherst Felix Corley, Editor, Forum 18 News Service Arzu Geybulla, Independent Journalist and Co-founder of Free Voices Collective Husik Ghulyan, Lead Researcher, Caucasus Heritage Watch Missed it? Follow ANCA coverage of the hearing . The recording will be posted on the Commission website - uscirf.gov.

LOCATION ANNOUNCED! We are excited to invite Armenian professionals and supporters in the DMV to our upcoming "Summer Solstice" networking event, taking place at Hive Hotel's Rooftop Bar. Date: Friday, June 20th When: 6:00 - 9:00 pm Where: Hive Bar (The Rooftop), 2224 F St NW, Washington, DC 20037 More info: networking@anca.org Strengthen your network and immerse yourself within the DC-MD-VA-Armenian professional community and supporters. And a bonus for this networking event - help us welcome the ANCA 2025 Leo Sarkisian / Maral Melkonian Avetisyan summer interns, who have gathered from cities across the US and Canada to gain hands-on experience in advocacy and contribute meaningfully to the Armenian Cause. Enjoy an evening of great food, drinks, and company, and connect with professionals from numerous industries. Whether you're an established professional or just starting your career, this event provides a unique opportunity to expand your network, share experiences, and learn from one another. Invite your colleagues, friends, and fellow Armenian-Americans to catch up and make many new connections. The ANCA "Summer Solstice" networking event is part of our Friday HyeLights networking series, generally held on the third Friday of each month at different locations, each offering new opportunities and themes. It builds on our current youth programs and professional development opportunities, including the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program (CGP), which has helped hundreds of qualified Armenian American recent graduates and professionals to secure positions in Congressional offices, federal agencies, think tanks, and other political and policy-making arenas throughout Washington, D.C. #ANCAFridayHyeLights#ANCA#NetworkingEvent

#BREAKING: During today's House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) pressed Secretary of State Rubio to permanently end the Section 907 waiver & block U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan. “They haven’t kept their commitments... The waiver should be permanent,” stressed Rep. Costa. Secretary Rubio stated the Administration's current focus is on peace negotiations to prevent an Azerbaijani invasion into Armenia. "We've tried to outline to both sides, especially the Azerbaijani side, the tremendous benefits that would come from signing a peace deal and not engaging in a war that we would find to be destructive, counterproductive, and the last thing we need right now in the region," noted Sec. Rubio.

#BREAKING: “Aliyev is a dictator… release those prisoners. They’re being horribly mistreated.” -- During a powerful exchange in today’s House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take immediate action to secure Azerbaijan's release of over Armenian POWs and political prisoners. "It's very clear that after the genocide committed by Aliyev against the Armenians, there are many, many political prisoners and POWs being held. I would just encourage you to do whatever you can to get those men and women released." Secretary of State Rubio stated that the release of Armenian prisoners is a "critical" component of ongoing U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region "to establish a peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. There's a real risk there of a conflict that we're trying to prevent from happening. Our teams have been very engaged in that regard in trying to make something come about and prevent an armed intervention there."