Armenia’s Constitution and Coat of Arms

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday vowed to push through a new constitution at all costs, including calling snap elections if he fails to secure support from either of the two opposition groups in parliament, which have said they will not support a new constitution because it is being dictated from Baku.

Speaking to reporters, Pashinyan said that he would first attempt to reach an agreement with the opposition groups, whose leaders have been either indicted or are in prison in his campaign to quash any dissent or opposition.

“We will try to convince our colleagues in the opposition that this is a very important issue. If that does not work, then we will pursue other scenarios—which could include holding snap elections. And who said that such a scenario is ruled out?” Pashinyan said Thursday.

Possibly, Pashinyan believes that in the event of snap elections, he would have neutralized the opposition and he would secure the majority needed to push through a new consitution.

His Civil Contract party did not secure a constitutional majority in the last parliamentary elections. Both Pashinyan and the Justice Minister have assured that the draft of the new Constitution will be published by the end of the year. The document will then become the subject of public discussion, before being submitted to parliament.

Adopting the draft requires the support of at least 70 lawmakers. The Civil Contract party holds 64 seats, meaning the ruling force is short by six votes.

The two parliamentary opposition factions have repeatedly stated that they “will not vote in favor of a Constitution imposed by Aliyev.” The secretary of the Strong Armenia faction on Thursday reaffirmed his political force’s position.

“Armenia should not change its Constitution at the behest of any external power—in this case, Ilham Aliyev. We oppose changing the Constitution to satisfy Aliyev’s demands,” said Tigran Abrahamyan. In response to a question from Azatutyun.am on whether there could be any scenario in which a lawmaker from the Strong Armenia faction might align with that agenda, Abrahamyan replied: “Our faction maintains the position that Armenia should not amend its Constitution at the behest of any external power.”

Pashinyan and his allies have already said that the primary change in the draft Constitution will not contain a reference to the Declaration of Independence. This is precisely the point being forced by Aliyev as a precondition for signing the peace treaty.

The Armenia Alliance, the other parliamentary opposition group, is staunchly opposed to removing the reference to the Declaration of Independence from the country’s fundamental law.

“This is a clearly articulated demand from Azerbaijan. How many times do they have to say it? They are compelling Pashinyan to amend the Constitution,” said Armenia Alliance secretary Artur Khachatryan.

“Instead of strengthening the country’s resolve, Pashinyan is attempting to act as an intermediary between Azerbaijan and the Armenian people, pressuring the latter to fulfill Azerbaijan’s demands,” Khachatryan added.

Pashinyan on Thursday reiterated that the decision to adopt a new Constitution has nothing to do with Azerbaijan. Yet, in a now infamous interview from February 2024, Pashinyan himself—using the analogy of a “red cloth and a bull”—stated that unless the Declaration of Independence is discarded, war will ensue. Around that same time, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also confirmed that Azerbaijan perceives issues within Armenia’s Declaration of Independence.

Although both Pashinyan and Mirzoyan said that the Armenian side also identifies problems within Azerbaijan’s Constitution, no Armenian official currently speaks about this. Instead, Pashinyan announced Thursday that he and Aliyev had discussed the Constitution issue two months ago in Bishkek.

“I told the Azerbaijani side that questions regarding our Constitution are being raised by Azerbaijan, even though this is a matter of our internal agenda,” Pashinyan claimed to have said to Aliyev.

Pashinyan went on to say that Aliyev had acknowledged that this is a domestic matter for Armenia, while simultaneously stressing that their political stance on the matter would remain unchanged.

Beyond maintaining this position, Baku has also publicly expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that Armenia is dragging its feet on the issue.

A member of the Azerbaijani parliament—who also serves on the Foreign Relations Committee—wrote on X Wednesday that he is “concerned,” adding that, in their view, “Armenia has no desire to remove territorial claims against Azerbaijan from its Constitution.”

Pashinyan emphasized Thursday that the adoption of a new Constitution was part of both his pre-election platform and the government’s program. He would not abandon this commitment simply because it happens to align with Baku’s agenda.

Pashinyan went even further, declaring that if he fails to achieve the adoption of a new Constitution and the signing of a peace treaty, he will consider his political mission to be at an end.

“I believe that if the people of Armenia wish to see this commitment fulfilled, then it must be carried out together with the people. If the people of Armenia do not see [the value in] fulfilling this commitment…,” said Pashinyan.

Celebration of Heritage at previous Armenian Genealogy Conference.

Registration closes November 11 for the November 21 conference in Watertown, followed by a special November 22 screening of the historic film The Melody of Armenia

WATERTOWN, Mass. — Every Armenian family has a story. Some have been lovingly preserved across generations. Others survive only in fragments — a faded photograph, a family name, a village remembered by grandparents, or a story interrupted by the Armenian Genocide. For many descendants, the desire to recover those stories has become a deeply personal journey of discovery.

On Saturday, November 21, Armenians from across the United States and beyond will gather at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center in Watertown, Massachusetts, for the 10th Anniversary Armenian Genealogy Conference, a milestone celebration of a movement dedicated to reconnecting Armenians with their families, ancestral communities and shared history.

With just one month remaining, organizers have announced the finalized lineup of speakers and are encouraging everyone interested in attending to register before the November 11 deadline.

The conference, sponsored by the Armenian Cultural Association of America, begins at 9 a.m. and promises a full day of fascinating presentations, practical research techniques, new resources and opportunities to connect with others who share a passion for Armenian family history. Read more about the upcoming event on Asbarez.

Registration and additional information are available online.

What began as an effort to introduce Armenians to the tools and resources available for researching their ancestry has grown into a vibrant community of researchers, historians, genealogists and individuals seeking to rediscover their roots.

Over the years, Armenian genealogy conferences have demonstrated that reconstructing family histories once thought permanently lost is increasingly possible. Immigration records, Ottoman-era documents, church registers, community memorial books, historical photographs and advances in DNA testing are opening doors that previous generations could scarcely have imagined.

But Armenian genealogy is about much more than names and dates. It is about restoring connections severed by genocide, displacement and migration. It is about discovering the villages where ancestors lived, the communities they built, and the relationships that connect Armenian families across continents.

The tenth anniversary conference celebrates both the progress already made and the extraordinary possibilities that lie ahead.

This year’s conference brings together leading researchers and innovators whose work is transforming how Armenians discover and preserve their family histories.

Mark Arslan: Reconstructing the Armenian Immigrant Experience
A pioneer in Armenian genealogy, Mark Arslan began researching his Armenian ancestry in 1971. A second-generation American, he established the Armenian DNA Project in 2005 and developed the Armenian Immigration Project, an extensive database documenting the Armenian diaspora in North America before 1930.

His decades of research have helped countless families identify immigrant ancestors, trace their arrival in America and reconnect with relatives whose paths diverged generations ago. His presentation will introduce participants to resources and methods for navigating the complex world of Armenian immigration and naturalization records.

Gregory Jundanian and Lisa Misakian: Preserving the Armenians of Whitinsville
What happens when an entire community becomes the subject of a genealogical research project?

Gregory Jundanian and Lisa Misakian, co-founders of the Armenians of Whitinsville Project, will demonstrate how local history, family records, photographs and personal memories can be brought together to preserve the story of an Armenian American community.

Their innovative website serves as a modern “houshamadyan,” continuing the Armenian memory-book tradition that emerged in the diaspora beginning in the late nineteenth century.

Their work offers an inspiring model for other Armenian communities seeking to document their own histories before invaluable memories and records disappear.

Zeynep Devrim Gürsel: Discovering Armenian Lives Through Ottoman-Era Photographs
Photographs can reveal stories that written documents leave untold.

Zeynep Devrim Gürsel, a media anthropologist and Associate Professor of Anthropology at Rutgers University, is the author of “Portraits of Unbelonging,” an examination of Ottoman Armenian emigration to the United States during the politically turbulent years from the 1890s through the end of Sultan Abdülhamid II’s reign in 1909.

Her research offers a fascinating perspective on the visual documentation of Armenian migration and the ways historical photographs can help reconstruct the experiences of individuals and families navigating a world of political uncertainty and displacement.

Boghos Tchitchekdjian: Connecting Armenian Families Across Europe
Armenian family histories rarely respect modern national borders. Records of a single family may be scattered across Armenia, Turkey, France, the Middle East, the United States and numerous other countries.

Boghos Tchitchekdjian, co-founder and Vice President of Relais International de Généalogie Arménienne, will introduce participants to the important work being undertaken in France to preserve Armenian genealogical records and reconnect families.

RIGA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making dispersed archives more accessible and providing free genealogical assistance to Armenians throughout the diaspora. Its work demonstrates the tremendous potential of international cooperation in overcoming the barriers that have historically complicated Armenian family research.

George Aghjayan: DNA and the Reconstruction of Armenian Family History
For descendants of genocide survivors, traditional documentary research often encounters an almost insurmountable obstacle: the destruction or disappearance of records and the rupture of family connections.

George Aghjayan, organizer of the Armenian genealogy conferences and host of “Hye Roots: Descendants of Ararat,” will explore how advances in genetic genealogy are helping to overcome these obstacles.

His presentation will examine the critical role of DNA testing in identifying previously unknown relatives, reconstructing family relationships and recovering connections lost through generations of displacement.

DNA cannot replace historical research, but when combined with documentary evidence, oral histories and geographic knowledge, it can become an extraordinary tool for rebuilding Armenian family histories.

The conference experience will continue well beyond the final presentation.

Beginning at approximately 6 p.m., participants will gather for a festive Armenian dinner catered by Kevork Boyajian and the Armenian American Social Club of Watertown.

The evening will feature an all-star ensemble of Armenian musicians:

• John Berberian — oud
• Mal Barsamian — clarinet
• Jason Naroian — vocals and drum
• Bruce Gigarjian — guitar

The dinner promises an evening of wonderful Armenian cuisine, traditional music and lively conversation, offering participants an opportunity to deepen the connections made throughout the day.

For many conference attendees, these informal conversations are among the most rewarding parts of the experience. A discussion over dinner can lead to the discovery of a common ancestral village, an unexpected family connection or a new research partnership.

The weekend’s celebration of Armenian heritage will continue on Sunday, November 22, with a special screening of the historic Armenian film “ԵրգնՀայաստանի” (“The Melody of Armenia”).

Presented jointly by the ARF Boston “Sardarabad” Gomideh, Watertown High School’s Armenian Club and the Armenian Genealogy Conference, the screening will take place at 2 p.m. in the auditorium of the new Watertown High School, 50 Columbia Street, Watertown, Massachusetts.

First premiered in 1930, “The Melody of Armenia” offers a powerful window into the lives of Armenian Genocide survivors attempting to rebuild their world in exile.

The film tells the story of Mrs. Ghazarian, an Armenian mother living in France during the 1920s. Of her six children, five perished during the Genocide. Only one son survived, and together mother and son struggle to establish a new life while carrying the overwhelming burden of personal loss and the destruction of their homeland.

Haunted by the memories of what she endured, Mrs. Ghazarian embodies the grief, resilience and uncertainty experienced by countless Armenian survivors.

Yet the film is more than a dramatic account of one family’s suffering.

It incorporates remarkable historical footage, including images of the burning of Smyrna, appearances by prominent Armenian figures such as Alexander Khatisian and Avetis Aharonian, and scenes depicting Armenian schools, scouting organizations and community life in France.

These images offer a rare visual record of a generation that experienced the destruction of its ancestral communities while simultaneously laying the foundations of a new Armenian diaspora.

For those attending the genealogy conference, the film provides a particularly meaningful complement to the preceding day’s presentations.

Where genealogy seeks to recover the identities and relationships of individual ancestors, “The Melody of Armenia” brings viewers face to face with the historical world those ancestors inhabited — their trauma, determination, institutions and enduring commitment to Armenian identity.

Together, the conference and film screening create a weekend devoted not simply to remembering the past, but to reclaiming it.

Proceeds from the film screening will benefit the ARF Archives project, an initiative dedicated to preserving and making Armenian historical materials accessible to future generations. Additional donations are warmly encouraged.

Tickets for the screening may be purchased online.

A trailer for the film can be viewed on Instagram.

For questions about the screening, call or text (818) 649-4726.

YEREVAN — The American University of Armenia announced the launch of the Master of Arts in Education within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, set to begin in Fall 2027. The program was made possible by the Avedisian 575 Foundation. The Avedisian family has been a longstanding supporter of AUA, contributing to the University’s growth and development throughout the years. 

“Launching the Master of Arts in Education reflects AUA’s commitment to responding to the evolving needs of Armenia,” said AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian. “We recognized an opportunity to build on our experience in teacher education and create a graduate program that prepares education professionals to address the challenges facing learners, educators, and schools today. I am deeply grateful to the Avedisian family, whose generous support made it possible for AUA to offer this program. We attach great value to the mutual trust and respect that has characterized our close work with the Avedisian 575 Foundation over the course of more than two decades to implement our shared vision for higher education in Armenia.” 

The program builds on AUA’s existing expertise in education to catalyze a national transformation of teacher quality in Armenia while contributing to international educational discourse, mainly through research. More specifically, building on AUA’s existing Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language program, MAEd will expand the University’s capacity in teacher preparation, laying the foundation for a cohesive Education department.

MAEd’s mission is to elevate teacher quality in Armenia by preparing highly skilled, student-centered educators and educational leaders. The program aims to equip professionals to address the pressing demands in the educational landscape of Armenia and beyond through quality research, innovation, and best practices in the field. 

“The inspiration for this program came from the desire to build upon Ed’s accomplishments: creating schools in Armenia to provide a world-class education from Kindergarten through graduate school,” said Pamela Avedisian. “Ed recognized that the key to the success of a school was the teachers. It is our firm belief that Armenia’s greatest resource is its people and the Master of Arts in Education program at AUA represents an investment in them, not only in those that will receive the degree, but also in the children and youth that will be educated by them. It is hard to think of a better investment than that.” 

The program emphasizes equity, inclusion, and social justice, while developing graduates’ capacity to implement classroom improvements, lead curriculum and instructional initiatives, conduct applied research, and contribute to education policy. Graduates will be prepared for leadership roles in curriculum, instruction, research and policy, as well as for further graduate study and ongoing professional development.

“The Master of Arts in Education is the newest addition to AUA’s commitment to advancing education in Armenia and an important investment in the country’s educational future,” remarked CHSS Dean Dr. Hagop Yacoubian. “We are ambitious to prepare educators and leaders who can drive meaningful, evidence-based improvements across Armenia’s educational landscape, while building the research capacity needed to inform Armenia’s education system and its ongoing reform. At the same time, by grounding our research in Armenia’s unique educational context and engaging with global scholarship, we hope to bring Armenian perspectives and insights to the broader international education discourse.”

MAEd comprises 45 credits and can be completed in 1.5 academic years. Designed to address pressing educational needs in the Armenian context, the program combines applied coursework, field-based projects, and inquiry-driven learning focused on real educational contexts. The curriculum includes core courses, electives, and practicum placements designed to meet the professional demands of diverse participants.

The program also offers four stackable certificate options: Educational Leadership, Management, and Policy; Teaching STEM; Teaching Social Studies; and Teaching Armenian Language Arts. These may be completed independently for professional development or applied toward the MAEd degree.

Graduates will be prepared for high-impact careers in K-12 teaching; instructional, curricular, and administrative leadership; education policy; research; and education-related roles in public, private, nonprofit, and corporate sectors.

For more information about the program, please check the MAEd webpage.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

Shikahogh

As international leaders and environmental activists gather in Yerevan for the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity, known as COP17, the reality of Armenia’s Shikahogh State Nature Reserve, which is under incessant “ecocide” by Azerbaijan, is being swept under the rug by officials representing Armenia at the conference.

Founded in 1958, this reserve—which spans almost 30,000 acres and is approximately 94 percent forested—is home to 1,100 plant species (70 of which are listed in the Red Book) and rare animals such as the Caucasian leopard, the Bezoar ibex, the brown bear, and the Armenian viper.

Since 2022, the area has become a militarized zone, after Azerbaijani forces breached Armenia’s sovereign borders and invaded the area around Shikahogh, which abuts the Nerkin Hand village in the Syuink Province and a mere 24 miles from the Iran border.

Azerbaijani forces are still stationed with Armenia’s territory and have systematically engaged in deforestation, by indiscriminately cutting trees and clearing the forest. They have built 26-foot wide roads and constructed fortified positions.

According to expert analysis, work has been carried out across approximately 225 acres, 150 acres of which are all forest lands, according to a report published on Thursday in past.am.

According to investigative research by media outlets and an analysis of satellite imagery from Planet and Google Earth, the Azerbaijani side has carried out large-scale, illegal operations within the territory of the Shikahogh Reserve.

Data from the international organization Global Forest Watch indicates that between 2021 and 2023, Armenia lost approximately 250 acres of natural forest—almost 200 acres of which were lost in 2023 alone—a period that directly coincides with the active phase of Azerbaijani incursions and deforestation in this border area.

Most distressing, however, is that state institutions and the responsible authorities have chosen to remain silent or provide evasive responses.

The administration of the “Zangezur” Biosphere Complex has declined to provide clarifications, while Armenia’s Environmental Protection Ministry officially states that, because the areas are under the direct line of fire from Azerbaijan, it is impossible to provide precise data or assess the extent of the damage, Past.am reported.

This is not a typical environmental issue, but rather a deliberate act of ecocide, the consequences of which will be borne by future generations.

Environmental protection cannot be limited merely to statements made within closed halls or formal discussions of “green” agendas.

If the attention of the international community, environmental organizations, and decision-makers—within the framework of COP17—is not drawn to the environmental crimes being committed by Azerbaijan, then any global conference loses its true purpose and value.

The glaring environmental problems in Armenia—including the damaged ecosystem at Shikahogh and the loss of biodiversity—must become a central theme of the summit currently underway in Yerevan; for if we remain silent today and allow the destruction of our ancestral homeland, no “green” forum in the future will be able to restore the lost homeland and its wounded natural world.