UN Appoints Athgo Founder to UNDESA-GAID Steering Committee

Armen Orujyan, PhD, 35, of Los Angeles, California will serve as a member of the Steering Committee of United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development, effective May 1, 2009, announced the United Nations.

"I am honored to serve the mission of the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development," said Orujyan, adding, "I feel privileged to have the opportunity to help set an agenda focusing on the parts of the world that lack the tools and resources necessary for equal access in participation and contribution to global prosperity."

Orujyan is the founder of Athgo International, a non-profit organization that engages young people in entrepreneurship to promote sustainable enterprise development.

"He recognizes the potential of information and communication technology in equipping young people with the tools to succeed in the modern world and has initiated creative projects to turn this commitment into reality," said the UN Under-Secretary-General Cheick Diarra.

A champion for youth through his work with Athgo, Orujyan was also one of ten people last year selected from around the world to serve as e-Leader for the UN Committee on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Youth.

Established in 2006 and approved by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan after comprehensive worldwide consultations with experts from government, private sector and academia, GAID will provide a global forum to address cross-cutting issues related to ICT in development.

Currently, UNDESA-GAID explores how "ICTs and innovation can be harnessed to meet key global challenges such as poverty eradication, the financial crisis, climate change, governance and mainstreaming gender." The Steering Committee comprised of 12 members will provide executive direction and priority setting for the initiative, as well as oversight and guidance to the secretariat.

"I have no doubt that he will bring a lot of expertise, energy and ideas to the Global Alliance for ICT and Development in its pursuit of the use of ICT to achieve the Millennium Development Goals," said Diarra.

For more information about Dr. Orujyan or Athgo, please contact anielak@athgo.org or visit www.athgo.org.