Visit of ACT Alliance General Secretary Mr. John Nduna to Armenia

Mr. John Nduna, General Secretary of Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance visited Armenia upon invitation of the Armenia Round Table Foundation (ART) through June 20-22, 2012. The agenda included meetings and site visits to projects supported by Armenia Round Table as the follows:
“Green Hospitality” project area, where pilgrims to Etchmiadzin, spiritual centre for all Armenians, can enjoy healthy food and homey hospitality. The overall objective of the project is to support the culture of healthy and organic food, which used to be an essential part of the Armenian national cuisine.
General Secretary met ART staff and members of Armenia ACT Forum and made a presentation about fundamental principles of ACT Alliance. An introduction to organizational structure, goals and objectives of ACT Armenia Forum was made by Mrs Anahit Gasparyan. Questions and answers and active discussion followed at both meetings. 
The second project visited by General Secretary was a community center in a small town of Metsamour, where an exposure was made to a newly developed national Christian social work model. It was an impressive presentation by teenagers of the center on emergency preparedness activities.
Mr. Nduna also visited Gyumri social-educational centre in Shirak region. His Grace Bishop Mikael Ajapahyan, Primate of Shirak Diocese and staff of the center gave warm welcome and accompanied General Secretary in the tour to the ongoing activities in the center. ACT Alliance was presented by the Mr. Nduna and a discussion followed.
The last day of the visit, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians received Mr. Nduna and Dr. Karen Nazaryan, Executive Director of ART. During the meeting His Holiness mentioned with gratification the relations between ACT Alliance and Armenia Round Table and expressed His gratitude to ACT Alliance for its assistance in emergency situations and efforts in development work. His Holiness expressed His praise for the solidarity and cooperation between Churches, which is setting an example and model for the believers to follow. Mr. Nduna stressed in his remarks his gratitude to the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II for His support to the work of ACT Alliance’s member, Armenia Round Table. Also discussed were various problems challenging national and religious life in the country and questions related to a wave of immigration of Armenians from Syria in the light of events taking place in Syria, and an increase in suicide rate in Armenia, the need and possibilities for providing support to immigrant families and psycho-social counseling to people suffering from social and psychological problems. The Pontiff of All Armenians blessed ACT Alliance and wished the Alliance success in all its future endeavors.