Armen Gevorgyan, former Minister of Territorial Administration and Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia, who only recently resigned from his post, has been appointed as the new Head of IDeA Foundation (Initiatives for Development of Armenia) set up by philanthropist and businessman Ruben Vardanyan and his wife Veronika Zonabend.
According to a press release issued on October 30, Ruben Vardanyan said that he was confident that Gevorgyan will be able to realize the diverse projects of the Foundation. “ We have many projects which are in various stages of implementation and we also have many new ideas and programs. I am convinced that Armen Gevorgyan has all the necessary traits to consistently put our projects into practice,” Vardanyan said.
The IDeA Foundation has several strategic philanthropic projects completed and underway to develop education and tourism in both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. According to the Foundation, the underlying goal of these projects is to preserve national traditions and inspire spiritual rebirth and ultimately increase social confidence.
Among its innovative initiatives is the Tatev Revival Project, which included the restoration of the Tatev Monastery, one of the Armenian nation’s greatest religious and cultural centers, the building of the Wings of Tatev, the world’s longest reversible aerial tramway and the establishment of the United World College-Dilijan International School.
Armen Gevorgyan has extensive experience and has held several offices in the country’s public administration. “Working in the Armenian government, I cooperated with Ruben Vartanian within the Tatev Revival project, construction of UWC Dilijan College and realization of other charity initiatives, “ Gevorgyan said and added, “I agreed to head the IDeA Foundation as it will enable me to use my knowledge and experience in the best way to engage in the development of Armenia.”
Between 1997 – 2014, Gevorgyan held the posts of Assistant to the Prime Minister of Armenia, Assistant to the President of Armenia, First Assistant to President, Chief of Staff of the President, Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia, Minister of Territorial Administration and Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia.
