HRANUSH HAKOBIAN: WE DON’T KNOW OUR DIASPORA WELL
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.12.2008 16:36 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The RA Ministry of Diaspora Affairs will encourage
Armenians to return to the homeland.
"Ari Tun (Come Home) program includes not only physical return
of Armenians. Our task is to remind our compatriots that they
are Armenians. We are confident that once a young Armenian sees
his homeland, he will be eager to make his contribution to its
development. Our huge Diaspora, which numbers some 10 million people
throughout the globe, should use its spiritual and financial potential
for development of Armenia," Ms. Hranush Hakobian, the Minister of
Diaspora Affairs, said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.
"We should unite not only in sorrow but also in order to build a strong
and prosperous Armenia. Many people say that the repatriation program
demands creation of special conditions but I think all Armenians
should live and work under equal conditions," she said.
The Ministry is also developing an annual project titled ‘Days of
Honor’, Ms. Hakobian informed.
"In 2009, these Days will be dedicated to renowned Charles Aznavour,
Kirk Krkorian and Alek Manookian. If the project succeeds, we will
dedicate a month to one of outstanding Diaspora representatives. Our
poor awareness about the Diaspora and vice versa is one of our gravest
mistakes. Everyone in Armenia must know who Alek Manookian was,"
she said.
Full text of the interview
Hranush Hakobian: Armenians should unite to build strong and glorious
country The establishment of the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora Affairs
aroused hopes for strengthening and development of cooperation between
the Republic of Armenia and Diaspora in various fields. Besides, the
Ministry intends to launch a repatriation program. PanARMENIAN.Net
has requested Ms. Hranush Hakobian, the Minister of Diaspora Affairs,
to comment on the plans and future activities of the Ministry.
17.12.2008 GMT+04:00 Addressing ‘Repatriation and its lessons:
repatriation today’ conference in Yerevan you said that the Armenian
authorities should encourage the repatriation program in every possible
way. What exactly should be done to that end?
Yes, we will encourage our compatriots to return to the
homeland. Ari Tun (Come Home) program includes not only physical
return of Armenians. Our task is to remind our compatriots that
they are Armenians. We are confident that once a young Armenian
sees his homeland, he will be eager to make his contribution to its
development. Our huge Diaspora, which numbers some 10 million people
throughout the globe, should use its spiritual and financial potential
for development of Armenia.
We should unite not only in sorrow but also in order to build a strong
and prosperous Armenia. Many people say that the repatriation program
demands creation of special conditions but I think all Armenians
should live and work under equal conditions.
There are plenty of talented people in Diaspora, who are not known
in Armenia. Does the Ministry plan any program to make them famous
in the homeland too?
This is a very topical question. The Ministry is developing an annual
project titled ‘Days of Honor’. In 2009, these Days will be dedicated
to renowned Charles Aznavour, Kirk Krkorian and Alek Manookian. If
the project succeeds, we will dedicate a month to one of outstanding
Diaspora representatives. Our poor awareness about the Diaspora and
vice versa is one of our gravest mistakes. Everyone in Armenia must
know who Alek Manookian was.
The most numerous Armenian community lives in Russia. Don’t you
think that it doesn’t use its potential completely for Armenia’s
development? How do you assess the level of its self-organization?
A great deal of work should be carried out with the Armenian community
of Russia. At that Armenians in each region of Russia should be
treated in a special way. Besides, I am glad that we can cooperate
with the Union of Armenians of Russia to achieve better results and
maintain Armenianhood. We know that the society and Diaspora have
big expectation from our work but we will need time to realize all
our plans.