Ruben Vardanyan's life a testament to his belief in a better world, wife says

The Armenian Educational Foundation honored social entrepreneurs and educational visionaries Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend with the prestigious Educational Visionaries Award at its 75th Anniversary Gala held at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel on September 7. 

With Ruben Vardanyan unjustly imprisoned in Baku since September 27, 2023, his wife accepted the award on their behalf and expressed gratitude for the honor.

"Whatever you do in life, you must do it with heart and love for that’s the one thing no one can ever take from you," she said. "And now, as Ruben endures the loss of his freedom under cruel circumstances, his very life has become a testament to his unwavering belief in a better world – one built on knowledge, education and the strength of community."

“Education and shared values are the invisible threads that connect us, no matter how far apart we may live… Now more than ever, we must stand together in the face of change, striving to bring stability to the world by passing on our knowledge and the lessons of our experience to the next generation," Zonabend added.