November 7, 2012

ACNIS RELEASES THE THIRD ISSUE OF PUBLIC POLICY JOURNAL: “THE CHANGING WORLD: VIEWPOINTS FROM YEREVAN”

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) today released the third issue of ACNIS quarterly public policy publication, entitled “The Changing World: Viewpoints from Yerevan,” during a special presentation-seminar held at the Center’s office. The meeting brought together the quarterly’s contributors, other leading analysts, policy specialists, and members of the press.

ACNIS director of research Manvel Sargsyan welcomed the audience with opening remarks and conveyed hope that the volume will serve the needs of political experts, policy commentators and the public at large by offering a broad overview on a comprehensive set of critical issues, challenges and opportunities - both domestic and foreign – entwined with Armenia’s policy imperatives, options and interests. It was also hoped that the publication would assist the decision-makers in Armenia and help define Armenia’s foreign and domestic policy issues in a broad and farsighted way.

The ceremony featured brief presentations from the volume authors Saro Saroyan, Vardan Jaloyan, Armine Ghazaryan, Edgar Vardanyan, Andrias Ghoukasyan, and Arman Yeghiazaryan who provided brief summaries of key points underlying their works and flashed out the major avenues for further research and inquiry in other aspects of Armenia’s socio-political milieu. The addresses were followed by a series of questions and answers, and featured a lively exchange with the audience.

The presentation was concluded by the closing remarks of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia's first minister of foreign affairs and ACNIS founder, who emphasized the important tradition of nonpartisan research that ACNIS has constantly demonstrated through its progressive performance by serving as a useful venue and a professional forum for building knowledge, where ideas can be openly generated, shaped and shared. The progressive activity of the Center and the wealth of knowledge it has contributed to the research community of Armenia and beyond reveal that the activity of the Center is respected and required, he concluded.

The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan, Armenia.  As an independent, objective institution committed to conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs.  Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national and international policy issues.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email root@acnis.am or info@acnis.am; or visit www.acnis.am.