ARMENIA DIASPORA CONFERENCE

AZG Armenian Daily
09/06/2006

The third Armenia Diaspora conference will convene on September 18-20
in Yerevan.

This year will also mark the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence. In that context, ArmeniaDiaspora III will examine,
analyze, assess our past and consider how history and current
geo-political realities raise new issues before our nation, and how
the possibilities and prospects for resolving them together.

The agenda of ArmeniaDiaspora III will consist of various strands.

On September 18, at the first plenary, we will explore the
current condition and future prospects for Armenia-Diaspora
relations and cooperation – a traditional concern which requires
new approaches, taking into consideration ever-changing geopolitical
development. During this session, speakers will include the leadership
of the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, the Catholicos of
All Armenians, the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, as well as
other spiritual leaders, and the heads of all Diaspora-wide structures.

During the second half of the day and on the next day, we will focus
on the second agenda item – rural development in Armenia. To secure
Armenia’s total development, and from the perspective of certain
strategic concerns, the comprehensive development of Armenia’s rural
communities must be assured.

Therefore, our objective is to rally the resources of the Armenian
government and Armenia’s business community, the Diaspora and
international organizations, to renovate rural infrastructure,
facilitate economic development and create the necessary contemporary
conditions to live and work in rural communities.

As a starting point, and for obvious strategic reasons, we have
decided to begin with Armenia’s border villages.

Participating in this agenda item will be the representatives of
those communities, organizations, groups as well as those individuals
who have already agreed to take part in this program. Of course,
those conference participants who are interested in this topic may
also attend.

Beginning Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday, September 20,
there will be a forum entitled “New Answers to Old Questions for a New
Nation-State in the 21st Century.” Armenian identity in the context
of globalization – preservation, language, culture, education, dual
citizenship, repatriation as a phenomenon, the history of Armenian
repatriation, its organization, new repatriation possibilities,
prospects, as well other issues will be on the agenda.

Also on Wednesday, the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the Ministry
of Trade and Economic Development will be holding a forum on economic
developments and prospects.

On Thursday, September 21, independence day celebrations will take
place throughout the capital.

All conference participants are invited.

On Friday, a major exhibition on Armenia’s economic activity,
agricultural development, prospects and partners will take place in
the same venue as the conference, at the Demirchian Sports Complex,
and all conference participants will be encouraged to attend.

Additional information about the agenda, registration forms, as well
as modalities of participation will be available over the next several
weeks at or at

The conference is open to all who wish to be present and take part
in Armenia’s future.