HRANUSH HAKOBIAN: MINISTRY OF DIASPORA HAS BEEN CREATED FOR COOPERATING AND MAKING JOINT DECISIONS
Noyan Tapan
June 23, 2009
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. Studying the Armenian Diaspora,
understanding its problems and peculiarities is among the goals of RA
Ministry of Diaspora activity. Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian
reported at the June 23 press conference dedicated to the work done by
the Ministry in the first half of 2009 adding that Ministry’s mission
is to carry out state policy aimed at deepening and development of
Diaspora-Homeland cooperation.
According to the Minister, as a result of the analyses it was found
out that today the Diaspora has a number of problems, in particular,
problem of forgetting the mother tongue, reduction of the number
of pupils at Armenian schools. "Therefore the Ministry tries to
work out programs that will be useful for the Diaspora as far as
possible. Meanwhile we realize that Diaspora’s abilities, strength and
possibilities should serve for Armenia’s strengthening," H. Hakobian
said. In her words, some people in Diaspora thought that the Ministry
was created to rule, to control the Diaspora. "I am announcing:
the Ministry has come to speak, to cooperate, to discuss and to make
joint decisions," the Minister said.
Besides, according to H. Hakobian, we should make the Diaspora
more cognizable in Armenia and vice versa. She said that Ministry’s
electronic newspaper, Hayern Aysor should have an important role in
solving the above mentioned problem. "Through the newspaper we try
not only to present Ministry’s activity, but also the most important
events taking place in the Diaspora are included in our periodical,"
H. Hakobian said adding that the newspaper already has foreign
correspondents working and cooperating as volunteers.