Los Angeles, CA – UCLA undergraduate student David Arakelyan has been working to assess the status of and develop recommendations for increasing Armenian American community voter registration. As part of the Armenian National Committee – Western Region’s Internship-Externship Program’s (ANC-WR IEP) 2008 Autumn Session, David is specializing as a Community and Government Affairs intern working on voter registration issues as well as the public response to media generated in the aftermath of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee vote on H. Res. 106 (the Armenian Genocide resolution).

“Through participating in this program, I am learning more about various issues facing our community,” said Arakelyan. “I have enjoyed meeting people who care about their Armenian heritage and working with them to help ensure that the Armenian American community’s voice is heard and their issues are addressed,” he added.

Arakelyan majors in Political Science and specializes in International Relations along with a minor in Armenian Studies. While visiting the ANCA website (www.anca.org), Arakelyan found out about the ANC-WR IEP and decided to apply. While a student at GCC, he was greatly involved in student government and felt that the ANC-WR program was another avenue through which he could also give back to the community.

“David has been a valuable asset to the program, bringing in fresh ideas during our seminars and workshops,” said Haig Hovsepian, ANC-WR Community Relations Director and IEP Coordinator. “His work on voter registration will help our local ANCs reach out to our community throughout Los Angeles,” he added.

The 2008 Spring Session of the ANC-WR Internship-Externship Program is fast approaching. Applications must be post-marked by December 1st and are available online at www.anca.org under the “Capitol Gateway” section. For more information about the program or a copy of the application, you can contact the ANC-WR office at 818.500.1918.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots public affairs organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR promotes awareness of issues of concern to the Armenian American community.

Photo Caption: David Arakelyan (left) along with fellow interns during a presentation by ANC-WR Executive Director, Antranig Kzirian (right).