AMIC's objectives

• Regroup under a coordinating umbrella the various Armenian Medical Associations of the Diaspora.
• Promote and facilitate the creation of such associations where possible.
• Establish and update a data bank on available human resources and ongoing projects.
• Maintain an adequate flow of pertinent information among member associations and other interested organizations.
• Coordinate all efforts of health care assistance to any Armenian community in need of such, and primarily with the present circumstances to Armenia.
• To pursue the organization of the world Congresses.

Coordinating/Networking Body

To reach fully its purpose and objectives, AMIC plays the role of a coordinating/networking body, a task of tremendously growing importance, however intangible it may seem. The coordination is a multifaceted process:

. Day to day continuous contacts between the various inquiring associations and individuals , AMIC’s office, and/or Armenia.

AMIC helps either by providing information, solutions, or by finding the adequate Armenian or international partner to clear up and settle pending issues. As a matter of fact, this function is more and more taking importance.

. A wider, long term implication by initiating and preparing, or finding reports, documentation, surveys, data, pertaining to health related issues. These data need a regular updating.

AMIC’s Executive has been active in playing the bridging role of a third mediating party between Western Universities (i.e. hitherto Canadian), government agencies (i.e. Canadian) or governments (i.e. of Quebec) and the Ministry of Health of Armenia. Its member associations have been active in the same field in their respective countries : a coordinating and planification work is also needed.

The networking aspect materializes by:

. The organization of regular yearly General Assemblies, and triennial World Congresses. While the General Assemblies are directly arranged by AMIC, the World Congresses’ responsibility is delegated to involved member associations.

. Increasing the number of affiliated associations, and promoting the creation of associations wherever they do not still exist: in 1998 four new associations, and on June 2000 the two nursing associations of East and West Coast in the US haved joined AMIC bringing thus the total number of its members to 25. Much more can and has to be done in this area of action.

. Since November 1998, AMIC has been publishing an on-line Bulletin, the
“Info-flash”; this Newsletter is published in three languages, English, French and lately in Spanish. It is sent either by e-mail or by mail to the members and interested individuals; it is also available on its web-site.