Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
Sept 22 2004
Professor to give seminar on ‘Armenia Today’ at NAASR
Prof. Gerard J. Libaridian, Alex Manoogian Visiting Professor of
Modern Armenian History at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
will conduct a one-day seminar on “Armenia Today: Problems and
Prospects” on Saturday, Oct. 9, at the National Association for
Armenian Studies and Research, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont.
Prof. Libaridian’s seminar will serve as a follow-up to his
well-received October 2003 seminar, “Making Sense of the Armenian
Republic,” at the end of which Libaridian said he had only gotten
through a portion of what he had to say on the subject. “Armenia
Today: Problems and Prospects” offers to those who attended last
year’s seminar as well as newcomers the opportunity to gain even
greater understanding of the complexities of modern Armenia.
The seminar will explore the most recent developments in the
Armenian Republic in the areas of politics, economics and foreign
policy, including the Karabagh negotiations. It will attempt to view
these developments from a variety of perspectives which will lead to
assessments regarding future developments.
Special attention will be paid to the actions and strategies of
the opposition parties and the response of the government beginning
in April 2004, the implications of these positions for the
development of democracy and economic viability, as well as for the
resolution of the Karabagh problem.
Libaridian received a Ph.D. in history from the University of
California, Los Angeles, and served as an advisor to President Levon
Ter Petrossian of Armenia from 1991 to September 1997. During his
time as a presidential advisor he served as senior advisor for
foreign policy and security issues (1994-97), first deputy minister
of foreign affairs (1993-94), negotiator for the Karabagh conflict,
and coordinator of conflict-related policy in the office of the
President.
The seminar will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with breaks for
coffee and lunch. Fees for the course will be $75 for those who
pre-register ($60 for NAASR members; $35 for full-time students with
current IDs). Admission is open to all, but enrollment will be
limited in order to encourage active discussion and interaction. It
is strongly urged that participants register by Oct. 1.
In addition to Libaridian, NAASR’s program of adult education
seminars and mini-courses has included Harvard University Prof. James
R. Russell, Prof. Simon Payaslian of Clark University, Dr. Suzanne
Moranian, and Dr. Barbara Merguerian. This series of courses
represents a new aspect of NAASR’s ongoing efforts to give the public
access to leading Armenian Studies scholars and their research in an
in-depth and meaningful fashion.
For more information on the seminar or about NAASR and its
programs for the furtherance of Armenian studies, research, and
publication, call 617-489-1610, or e-mail hq@naasr.org.