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LISBON, Portugal—The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation this week announced the appointment of Dr. Razmik Panossian as the new director of the Armenian Communities Department in Lisbon. He will assume the post on Feb. 1, 2013. Panossian holds a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he has also taught. He has published widely on Armenian-related issues, including a critically acclaimed book on Armenian national identity. He has extensive experience in senior management, including the administration of multi-million dollar programs, as well as the allocation and distribution of international development grants. For many years he served as the director of policy, programs, and planning at a Canadian governmental organization based in Montreal. He has worked for the United Nations Development Program. He is fluent in English, French, and Armenian. “I am both thrilled and humbled by this appointment,” said Panossian. “This is one of the most important positions in the Armenian Diaspora. I am looking forward to continuing the work of my predecessors and further strengthening and expanding the activities of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in a focused and systematic manner within Armenian communities around the world.” Martin Essayan, the trustee responsible for the Armenian Communities Department, and great grandson of Foundation founder Calouste Gulbenkian, said, “I am delighted that Dr. Panossian will be the new director of the Armenian Communities Department. He comes with outstanding credentials for this role and brings the international, integrative perspective we need. The appointment followed a global search during which we were able to consider many excellent candidates.”