THE FOUNDERS

AZG Armenian Daily
18/04/2006

The Armenian General Benevolent Union, the greatest benevolence
organization in the history of the Armenian people, was established in
Cairo 100 years ago. Ten outstanding Armenians, successful in their
lives, led by Poghos Nubar Pasha signed a resolution that ratified
the establishment of the union.

Certainly, many sittings, meetings and conferences followed this
first sitting directed to the regulation and the program of the
organization. A number of the Armenian intelligentsia leaders, namely
Arpiar Arpiarian, Arshak Chopanian and others united to elaborate
the program of the union. The intelligentsia members realized that
the Armenian people, being under the dictatorship of the Ottoman
and the Russian Empires, needed to have a non political organization
that would unite the Armenians and settle the issues of education,
culture, as well as preserve the national dignity of our people. But
their dream was realized by ten founders that had experience of state
administration and benevolence.

There had been several other Armenian benevolent unions functioning
before the establishment of AGBU, and naturally they feared that
a stronger union would hinder their activities. But the founders
of AGBU assured them that the newly established union was aimed to
contribute to everybody’s activities and unite the charity-oriented
forces for the sake of the Armenian people.

It was envisaged that the union would not only render aid to the
Armenian farmers during the disasters, to create sources for earning
for their lives, to gather the Armenian orphans and educate them,
to give shelter to the young Armenian girls that were deprived of
parental warmth and give them opportunities to marry in the future
and have their own families.

Besides, according to the union’s regulation, the union members
should have always been faithful to the will of the donors and
philanthropists, even if the union would suffer loses. That’s why
many AGBU members rebelled against the notorious decision to close
the Melgonian Educational Institute in Cyprus, as this was the first
case when the golden rule of the union was violated.

Moreover, the founders of the AGBU taught us that the foundation
is based on money, thus one should give financial assistance for
contribution of the union’s activities.

Even now, when 100 years have passed, AGBU still remains the most
powerful and largest organization that meets the needs of the Armenian
people and their motherland, thanks to its devoted chairmen, donors,
philanthropists and members.

Glory to the founders of AGBU!

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress