Citizenship Judge Babikian Receives RoA Medal

Canadian Citizenship Judge Aris Babikian of Toronto was granted, on April 3, the Gold Medal of the Ministry Of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia for outstanding service to Canadian civil society, to the Canadian Armenian community, and for enhancing Canada Armenia bilateral relations. 

 

Addressing the Yerevan gathering, Minister of Diaspora Hranoush Hagopian said: "We are proud to have in Canada a compatriot like you. We understand that it is not easy to reach such high position in far away lands. We are grateful that you have devoted your entire life and energy to the Armenian people, preserving the Armenian identity and by your professionalism and consummate work you are enhancing Armenia's image in the Diaspora."

Canadian Citizenship Judge Aris Babikian of Toronto was granted, on April 3, the Gold Medal of the Ministry Of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia for outstanding service to Canadian civil society, to the Canadian Armenian community, and for enhancing Canada Armenia bilateral relations. 

 

Addressing the Yerevan gathering, Minister of Diaspora Hranoush Hagopian said: "We are proud to have in Canada a compatriot like you. We understand that it is not easy to reach such high position in far away lands. We are grateful that you have devoted your entire life and energy to the Armenian people, preserving the Armenian identity and by your professionalism and consummate work you are enhancing Armenia's image in the Diaspora."

 

The RoA Ministry of Diaspora Gold Medal is granted to those providing notable service for Armenia-Diaspora partnership, making contributions to the strengthening of relations between Armenia and the Diaspora and relations within Diaspora Armenian communities.

Judge Babikian thanked the Minister for her words and for considering him worthy of the medal. Keghart.com reached Judge Babikian who said: "This is a great honor to receive this award on the eve of the Genocide centennial." He dedicated the award to his grandfather, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide and to all victims of Medz Yeghern. He said: "This award means so much to me, specially since it comes from the homeland which we have dreamed of for centuries. People who help solidify Armenia-Diaspora ties in the Diaspora through professional activities and strengthen the Armenian identity so far from the homeland are greatly honored  to receive this recognition." 

The  award ceremony took place at the Ministry of Diaspora and in the presence of senior officers and staff of the ministry. Prior to the ceremony the minister had a private meeting with Judge Babikian, senior policy makers, and liaison officer Khoren Mardoyan. They discussed issues related to Armenia-Canada bilateral relations. The Minister said she valued and praised Canada's friendly and warm relation to the Armenian people and Armenia. She wished to deepen Canada Armenia bilateral relations in economy, education, tourism and other spheres.

 

 Minister Hagopian and Judge Babikian also discussed the welfare of the Canadian Armenian community and how to encourage Armenian youth to become more active in Canadian society.