WATERTOWN, MA — The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA ER) is accepting applications for the ANCA 2002 Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship Program, which places interns in the Washington, DC office of the Armenian National Committee of America, and the Watertown, Massachusetts Eastern Region headquarters. The program is open to college and university students at least 18 years of age. The ANCA also offers a limited number of placement internships in governmental and non-governmental offices as well as in Armenian cultural and archival institutions.

During the six-week ANCA Summer Internship program, beginning in late June, interns participate in a wide variety of projects that are greatly determined by their own interests and goals. Interns are given an opportunity to gain hands-on experience within the American political system and work with mass media and human rights and non-governmental organizations. Interns not only gain valuable experience in their placement positions, but they also learn a great deal about issues of special concern to Armenian-Americans and current events in Armenia and Karabagh.

“For two decades, the ANCA internship program has proved to be a valuable experience for college-aged students interested in researching the Armenian Genocide, human rights violations in Turkey, mass media, peace talks, Congressional initiatives, and other diverse issues of concern to the Armenian American community,” noted Arin Gregorian, Executive Director of the ANCA ER. “We are pleased to offer this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for future community leaders to learn and experience working with the largest Armenian American grassroots organization,” he added.

The internship appointments are full-time positions. Interns are provided housing and a nominal stipend. Applications must be received by the ANCA Eastern Region office no later than Monday, March 11, 2002. Application packets may be requested by contacting the ANCA ER (Tel: 617-923-1918; Fax: 617-926-5525; ancaer@mediaone.net; 80 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, 02472.)

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots political organization. The ANCA actively advances a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian-American community.