From
thousands of miles away they came to Near East Foundation’s
New York headquarters, little burgundy velvet boxes
that opened to reveal brass plaques:
ASIRA EL-SHAMALLIA WOMEN’S CLUB
Thanks
gratefully
NEAR EAST FOUNDATION (NEF)
For their helpful efforts in
establishing many projects
With all regards
2004
And from the Albadan Regional Council “For your
support and efforts” and the Bayte Imrin Village
Council…all West Bank Palestinian
towns.
Closer to home were recognitions from the State of California
Senate and the State Assembly “…for bridging
national and cultural boundaries to help people help
themselves.” From the City and County of
Los Angeles, “…your commitment to helping
people in the Middle East and Africa build better lives
for themselves and their communities by working with
local institutions is of great benefit to those you serve
and to the global community,” signed Los Angeles
Mayor James K. Hahn.
Presented annually “for remarkable contributions
toward the Armenian people and the cause of peace in
the world,” the Near East Foundation was honored
in October with the highest award conferred by the Armenian
National Committee of America, Western Region, a dramatic,
nearly foot high, bronze eagle with outstretched wings. It
was accepted by NEF Board Chairwoman Linda K. Jacobs
and NEF President Ryan A. LaHurd at a gala with over
600 guests and a long list of dignitaries, who stood
and applauded the presentation.
“There is no more meaningful acknowledgement than
that which comes from those to whom we are most closely
connected historically,” Dr. LaHurd told them. Near
East Foundation was created in 1915 to rescue desperate
and dying survivors of the Armenian Genocide and deportations,
becoming the first nationwide, large scale, international
assistance organization in the United States. In
February Dr. LaHurd returned to Los Angeles to be featured
speaker at the “International Relief, Refuge, and
Recognition Tribute.” Near East Foundation
was recognized by the Armenian Assembly, Armenian General
Benevolent Union, and the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church, for its efforts on behalf of survivors of the
Genocide.
In April Dr. LaHurd was guest speaker again, this time
in Washington, D.C. for the Congressional Armenian Genocide
Observance held on Capitol Hill, joined by Members of
Congress, civic, religious, human rights leaders, and
Armenian-Americans from across the country. “The
work of the Near East Foundation argues that humanity
can respond to evil with good; to despair with hope;
and to destruction with rebuilding,” he told the
assembly.
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Near East Foundation received the very prestigious 2004
International Prize for Pioneering Development Projects
by the Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development
Organizations (AGFUND). The announcement was made
in Riyadh in September on the recommendation of a distinguished
committee, and the award was presented in Tunis in December
by His Royal Highness Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Al
Saud. NEF won for its enhancement of nursing as a career in
Upper Egypt, in competition with 83 projects from 32
countries and three continents. “Looking
at the overwhelming need in our world,” the NEF
President said upon accepting the prize, “too many
people regard as worthwhile only projects which affect
millions…but every human life is of great value. And
every effort which enhances a human life is an important
success.”
Near East Foundation's efforts and successes in 2004-05
follow, in keeping with our historic mission — To
help the people of the Middle East and Africa build the
future they envision for themselves.
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