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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 2, 2006
AGBU Participates in Dialogue at Third Armenia-Diaspora Conference in Yerevan
On September 18, 2006, the third Armenia-Diaspora Conference opened at
Karen Demirjian Sport and Concert Complex in Yerevan, Armenia, with
the participation of leading Armenian organizations from around the
world, including AGBU. Republic of Armenia President Robert Kocharian
spoke at the opening event, stating: "The past four years, after the
second conference, have been filled with developments both for Armenia
and countries with large Armenian communities. I believe that this
conference gives everyone a chance to discuss the new realities and
outline our future actions for the next several years."
In his speech, President Kocharian underscored the contribution of
the Diaspora Armenians to Armenia’s developing economy, pointing out
the steady growth of GDP in the past five years. He also stressed the
importance of the Armenian Apostolic Church. "Only the state can secure
strong and lasting preconditions for preservation of identity. That
is why Armenians must spare no efforts for strengthening the state
of Armenia. Our identity is inseparably connected with Christianity,
and our church remains a strong factor in unifying Armenians around
the world," said Kocharian.
RA President’s speech was followed by speeches by the His Holiness,
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians; Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR) President Arkady Ghoukassian; the Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia, Aram I; and by the representatives of the Armenian Catholic
and Evangelical Churches. Other presenters included members of the
following local and diasporan organizations: AGBU, Armenia 2020,
Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian Democratic-Liberal Party,
Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian Relief Society,
Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Birthright Foundation, European
Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy, "Hayastan" All-Armenian
Fund, Social-Democrat Hunchakian Party, Tekeyan Cultural Association,
United Armenian Fund, World Armenian Congress, and Zoryan Institute.
NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian expressed his gratitude to diasporan
investors and organizations, including AGBU, whose contributions have
championed the development of Karabakh.
"By the will of fate we are among those countries which are able
to develop effectively, first of all, thanks to the investments of
compatriots around the world. I am sure that the harmonious activities
of Armenia, Karabakh and the diaspora are capable of strengthening
the influence of the Armenian factor on the international arena, as
well as create new opportunities for our people’s secure future,"
President Ghoukassian said in his speech. "The realization of
investment projects in Karabakh, with the help of the still unused
potential of the diaspora, will allow us raise the social-economic
development to a new level, which in its turn will secure stable
growth of dynamically developing economy," he added.
His Holiness Karekin II spoke about the current imperatives faced
by Armenians. He remarked, "Today, is an important page in our
history. It is time for our opportunities that have grown with the
free and independent life of homeland and uninhibited relations with
the diaspora, to serve the well-being and unification of our people,
and the rebirth of spiritual and national life."
AGBU Central Board member Carol Aslanian spoke during the
conference. She highlighted the fact that the 15th anniversary of
Armenia’s independence coincided with the 100th anniversary of AGBU. In
her speech, she commended the initiative of the Armenian Government in
Rural Poverty Eradication and expressed hope that it would lead to an
overhaul and development of Armenian’s rural communities. She stressed
the importance of the government’s cooperation with nongovernmental
organizations for the ultimate success of the project. When speaking of
AGBU’s goals, Aslanian said, "Today, our projects in Armenia, spanning
educational, cultural, humanitarian and religious programs for all
age and income groups, have become a priority for AGBU-stimulated by
increasing support among our donors and major benefactors." She added
that with a $34 million annual budget, AGBU representatives in 35
countries fulfill educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. She
also spoke about the major projects
carried out in Karabakh with AGBU’s support, particularly the
repopulation of border villages. She also spoke briefly about the
planned AGBU Center for Young diasporans in Yerevan and AGBU Virtual
College, an online, multimedia course of study on Armenian language,
culture and history.
AGBU Central Board member, Levon Kebabdjian, and AGBU members from
France, Argentina, USA, Egypt, Italy, Canada, Switzerland, Syria and
Brazil also attended the conference.
During the last day of the conference, the participants touched upon
the issues on national values, historical communities, and language
and culture in large communities. On the agenda of were also questions
of the diaspora’s future makeup, the upbringing of a new generation
of Armenian leaders, and future projects and policy issues.
The challenges and questions are many, but the ongoing dialogue and
the commitment of AGBU and other diasporan organizations to the
future of the homeland promise a brighter tomorrow for Armenians
around the world.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City
with an annual budget of $34 million, AGBU preserves and promotes
the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and
humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in
35 countries.