Armenian National Committee of America facts for kids
 |
|
| Formation | 1918 (as ACIA) 1941 (as ANCA) |
|---|---|
| Type | NGO |
| Purpose | Advocacy |
| Headquarters | 1711 N Street NW, Washington, D.C. |
|
Official language
|
English, Armenian |
|
Executive director
|
Aram Hamparian |
|
Chairman
|
Raffi Hamparian |
|
Formerly called
|
American Committee for the Independence of Armenia (ACIA) |
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is a group that works to support the Armenian-American community in the United States. It's like a community organization that helps people speak up about important issues. Its main office is in Washington, D.C., and it also has offices in Glendale, California, and Watertown, Massachusetts.
A Look at ANCA's History
The ANCA started a long time ago! It began as the American Committee for the Independence of Armenia (ACIA) in 1918, right after World War I. This first group was founded by Vahan Cardashian. Many important American leaders joined this early group. Their main goal was to help create an independent Armenia.
Over time, the ACIA offices grew and changed into the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) in 1941. The ANCA started doing more things. They worked to teach people about Armenian issues, like the Armenian genocide. They also helped organize events, register voters, and support political leaders who cared about Armenian-American concerns.
The ANCA is involved in many political and educational activities. They work to:
- Help create laws that support the Armenian-American community. This includes making Armenia a strong and democratic country.
- Support the right of Nagorno Karabakh (also known as Artsakh) to be independent.
- Take part in American elections at all levels. They teach elected officials about Armenian-American issues. They also give voters information about what candidates think about these issues.
- Publish important papers, news releases, and fact sheets. These help share information about Armenian topics.
Beyond its main office in Washington, D.C., the ANCA has offices in New York City and Los Angeles. It also has over fifty local groups and thousands of volunteers. The ANCA works with similar Armenian National Committees around the world. These groups are in places like Armenia, Russia, France, Canada, and Australia.
Key Moments: 1990s
In the 1990s, the ANCA worked to keep a law called Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. This law limited aid to the government of Azerbaijan.
Key Moments: 2000s
The ANCA was a big supporter of US House Resolution 106. This resolution asked the United States to officially recognize the Armenian genocide. This terrible event happened during World War I.
Key Moments: 2010s
In 2014, the ANCA's Western Region office celebrated a big win. The California Senate officially recognized the Republic of Artsakh. This was important because it showed support for Artsakh's right to choose its own government.
In 2017, the ANCA teamed up with other Armenian groups. They launched a campaign called "The Promise to Educate." They sent copies of the 2016 film The Promise to schools. This movie and other materials helped teach students about the Armenian genocide.
Also in 2017, the ANCA spoke out against a proposed budget. This budget would have cut a lot of aid to Armenia. The ANCA said this plan was "ill-advised and misguided."
Key Moments: 2020s
2022 Los Angeles City Council Scandal
After a scandal involving the 2022 Los Angeles City Council, the ANCA-Western Region shared its thoughts. They said that comments showing hate against any group are wrong. They stressed that Los Angeles is a diverse city where everyone should feel safe. The ANCA stands with all communities fighting against hate.
2022 United States Elections
For the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election, the ANCA-Western Region supported Karen Bass for mayor. Karen Bass said she would work to help the Armenian community. She promised to fight against anti-Armenian hate. After Bass won, a leader from the ANCA-WR joined her transition team.
What ANCA Stands For
Supporting Artsakh
The ANCA works to get more U.S. support for the independent Republic of Artsakh. They challenge Azerbaijan's actions and try to make ties between the U.S. and Artsakh stronger. They also support efforts to find peaceful solutions for Artsakh's future.
Strengthening U.S.–Armenia Ties
The ANCA also works to improve the partnership between the U.S. and Armenia. They want to see more trade and aid between the two countries. They also aim to increase cooperation in politics, economy, and security.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights
In 2010, the ANCA took part in a discussion about political issues. The ANCA Chairman, Raffi Hamparian, spoke about the importance of including everyone. He said that the Armenian-American community is diverse. He believes that all voices, including those of gay and straight people, are needed. He stated that diversity makes the community stronger.
ANCA's Leaders
The Chairman of the ANCA is Raffi Hamparian. The team also includes Executive Director Aram Hamparian. Other key staff members are the Communications Director, Government Affairs Director, and Chief Financial Officer.
More to Explore
- Armenia–United States relations
- Armenian Assembly of America
See also
In Spanish: Comité Nacional Armenio de Estados Unidos para niños
