The Department of Children and Social Protection of Yerevan Municipality has recently engaged in active consultations with U.S. partners to tackle the social-sector issues more effectively in Yerevan and to plan and implement new initiatives. To turn these discussions into action, Acting Head of the Department, Gevorg Gharibyan, paid an official visit to Cambridge and New York. 
During the working visit, employment programs for migrants and socially vulnerable individuals were reviewed. Discussions at a specialized center addressed the possibility of establishing similar centers and programs in Yerevan.
The delegation also studied the Cambridge public library system and explored possibilities for adapting its practices in Yerevan. In particular, the introduction of social-worker positions in libraries, providing services to homeless individuals, was considered. These specialists perform a range of functions, including identifying needs, offering referrals, and more. It was agreed that, in case of establishing such type of libraries in Yerevan, Cambridge would provide access to its academic and artistic databases. 
The U.S. social-housing model was reviewed, as well. A visit was conducted to the existing center and potential proposals, that could help address homelessness in Yerevan, were discussed.
The delegation reviewed the local council model in Cambridge and explored the ways it could be adapted in Yerevan Municipality, including the possible establishment of a council on human rights adjacent to the Mayor of Yerevan. The specifics of the services provided to the elderly were reviewed, including food provision, entertainment activities, etc. 
Practices of responding to cases of gender-based and other forms of violence against women were discussed, along with opportunities for applying those models in Armenia. A range of issues related to children’s rights, migration, community needs and the measures taken to address them were also reviewed.
In the context of strengthening cooperation between the two cities, both sides emphasized the importance of experience-exchange programs, particularly following the establishment of a CNPO to provide social services in Yerevan.
Given the ongoing partnership between Yerevan and its sister city, Cambridge, an initial agreement was reached to enable children from Yerevan experiencing difficult life circumstances to participate in the Cambridge STEM Fest in the summer of 2026. 
After a lecture at Fordham University, Gevorg Gharibyan met with Dinesh Sharma, Director of the STEM Works studio in New York, and an agreement was reached that a group of children from Yerevan would also participate in the New York STEM workshop.
The discussions, observations, and expertise gained during the working visit lay the groundwork for future social programs, and the U.S. partners expressed their readiness to support new initiatives in Yerevan.
In recognition of his work and contributions to the social sector, Acting Head of Department Gevorg Gharibyan was presented by Cambridge City Hall with the Key to the City of Cambridge and a Social Leadership Coin.