WASHINGTON, DC: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) Internship Program's "Hagop Kortian" Scholarship has provided funding to support ANC-AU Administrator, Alex Galitsky's participation in the ANC America (ANCA) Capital Gateway Program in Washington, DC.

Launched in 2003, the ANCA "Hovig Apo Saghdejian" Capital Gateway Program (CGP) helps secure permanent employment and professional internships in Washington, DC for young Armenian professionals and students. Through the years, the ANCA has developed many relationships in and around Capitol Hill and identified a wide range of opportunities in the Washington, DC area. The CGP utilises these resources and contacts to help candidates identify and secure jobs that fit their interests and needs.

Since January 2019, Galitsky has been in Washington, DC participating in the ANCA Capital Gateway Program. The program accommodates fellows for three months in the Aramian House, thanks to a generous endowment by the Aramian family. The program provides professional development seminars and valuable networking opportunities with an extensive alumni network to help young professionals start their careers in the United States' capital.

The Kortian family of Sydney, Australia - through the ANC-AU Internship Program's Hagop Kortian Scholarship - provided travel and living expense support for Galitsky to follow his dream of expanding his international experience in the fields of government and international relations.

"Thanks to the generous support of the Kortian family, the ANC-AU and the ANCA, I've had the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in the heart of global decision-making," Galitsky said. "For the past two months, I've been working with Amnesty International USA's Middle East and North Africa division, supporting advocacy and government relations staff in bringing attention to egregious human rights abuses committed across the region."

Galitsky added: "I'm also grateful for the opportunity to continue to contribute to Armenian National Committee's international mission - volunteering time with the ANCA and lobbying on Capitol Hill - to ensure the recognition of the Armenian genocide and justice to survivors, and continue to fight for the right to self-determination for the people of Artsakh."

The ANC-AU Internship Program's Hagop Kortian Scholarship was established in 2018, and is a long-term commitment from the Kortian family in memory of one of the founding forces of Hai Tad in Australia. The annual Scholarship totalling $10,000 is funded by the proceeds of the Hagop and Makrouhy Kortian Endowment Fund established in their honour by their sons and their families.

In addition to supporting Alex Galitsky's ANC America experience, the 2018 Hagop Kortian Scholarship also funded last year’s ANC-AU Young Advocates Program in Canberra (click here for details).