July

1 “The National Citizens’ Initiative Convenes Young Leaders’ Assembly: Raffi Hovannisian and Greta Sargsian Address Nationwide Youth” is the title of a posting on the Armenian News Network Groong.

2 The NCI leadership assembly in Lusakert is covered by Armenian public television's Haylour program and Orran daily.

3 NCI coordinator Hrach Hakobian attends seminar on “Human Rights in the Process of Developing a New World Outlook,” confers with Constitutional Court Justices Valeri Poghosian, Alvina Giulumian, and Rafael Papayan.

5 “NCI Organizes Republic-Wide Celebrations for Vardavar” is briefed by Groong, “Vardavar Festival: Republic-Wide Celebrations” by A1+ news, and “Bonding: Leadership Retreat Encourages National Pride in the Young” by ArmeniaWeek (subsequently ArmeniaNow).

7 With the purpose of reawakening Armenian cultural and customary values and strengthening public pride, NCI organizes the Vardavar festival throughout Armenia.

8 Hrach Hakobian attends presentation of a new policy journal, “Ecology,” at the Tatev Scientific-Educational Complex.
Vardavar Festival is covered by Groong as “NCI: Armenian Vardavar Comes to Life.”

11 Hrach Hakobian’s interview entitled “A Truly Civic Standpoint Implies Citizens with Initiative” is published in Orran daily.

16 NCI founder Raffi K. Hovannisian is considered a future presidential candidate by Golos Armenii and RadioLiberty.

24 Hrach Hakobian’s opinion on the death penalty as well as the NCI seminar on “Human Rights and Christianity” are presented in the Helsinki Committee’s Ditord (Observer) bulletin.

27 NCI convenes working seminar on “The Nation’s Cultural Values: Ways and Means of Preservation and Expression in Armenia and Diaspora” as part of a series of preparatory events for an NCI international conference, to be held in autumn, on “Armenia-Diaspora: Cultural Commonalities and Distinctions.”

30 NCI coordinator Hrach Hakobian attends Chinese Embassy reception on the 75^th anniversary of the National-Liberation Army of China, confers with Chinese Ambassador Zuo Xueliang, Charge d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy Sergei Kapinos, Charge d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy, MP Vazgen Manoukian of the National Democratic Union, and MP Shavarsh Kocharian of the National Democratic Party.
NCI seminar is covered by Armenian News Network Groong as “Armenia-Diaspora: NCI Holds Workshop on Cultural Values and Challenges,” by Orran daily as “Armenia-Diaspora: NCI Expert Gathering,” by Azg daily as “The Maintenance of National Values in the Homeland and in Diaspora,” by Golos Armenii as “The Context of Armenia-Diaspora Dialogue,” and by Hayastani Hanrapetutiun daily as “Discussions on National Ideology.”

31 NCI councilman Hrach Tatevian’s expert opinion is covered in Hayastani Hanrapetutiun as “Instead of Waiting for Manna from Heaven.”