YOUNG ARMENIAN PROFESSIONALS TAKE WINDY CITY BY STORM
rticle/2009-08-19-young-armenian-professionals-tak e-windy-city-by-storm&pg=3
Wednesday August 19, 2009
Chicago – AGBU FOCUS celebrated its fifth biennial affair with 400
participants from 16 countries and dozens of American cities in
Chicago from July 16 to 19 with much style and success. The four-day
event took place around the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel, which is
situated in the city’s exhilarating downtown core and footsteps away
from the relaxing Oak Street Beach on Lake Michigan.
Networking, cultural, and social activities throughout the weekend
exposed guests to Chicago’s unique history and present happenings. In
addition, through the pre-event efforts of the FOCUS Organizing
Committee, the AGBU program raised over $35,000 for the AGBU Hye Geen
Pregnant Women’s Project in Armenia.
First initiated in 2001, FOCUS was created not only to bring together
young Armenian professionals to share their international perspectives
on a variety of important issues, but to showcase notable contributions
and achievements made by AGBU’s diverse programs.
Over the years, this biennial affair has become the most highly
anticipated event for young Armenian professionals across the globe
with over 2,000 participants, setting a standard for other gatherings
of its kind and cultivating a new generation of AGBU members. In fact,
tickets for FOCUS events were sold out well over a week before the
festivities even began.
Raising awareness and giving back
"While FOCUS is a great reunion of friends old and new, packed
with both cultural and social activities, it is also a time for our
generation to give back," said Arda Berberian, who, along with Aline
Markarian, co-chaired the weekend.
Every two years, FOCUS highlights a specific AGBU program and educates
its attendees about the true spirit, generosity, and diversity of
the organization’s work throughout the world, launching a large-scale
pre-event fundraising program with international donors.
"As young professionals, it was quite evident at FOCUS that we
are prepared and eager to continue AGBU’s mission into the next
generation," said Ms. Markarian. "This year, we chose to honor the Hye
Geen Pregnant Women’s Project in Armenia and are so grateful to all
the individuals who supported our efforts and donated over $35,000
for this amazing cause."
AGBU Hye Geen is a Los Angeles-based volunteer committee that works
to honor the achievements of Armenian women and provides a forum for
them throughout the world. Their Pregnant Women’s Project looks to
help the next generation in Armenia as a response to the shortage of
resources for many potential mothers in Armenia.
The first Pregnant Women’s Center opened its doors in Gyumri in 2002,
followed by the establishment of a second location in Vanadzor in
2004. This year, through funds raised by FOCUS, there are plans to
reallocate resources from the first center to a new location in Talin,
where there are many poor and underserved villages.
The Hye Geen Project helped establish community-based health resource
centers that provide critical prenatal care to pregnant women who often
suffer from malnutrition, lack the funds for proper medical care, and
have limited access to accurate health information. Expectant mothers
can visit the centers daily to benefit from vital medical exams,
meetings with counselors, peer support, nutritious meals, and vitamins.
To date, over 700 healthy babies have been born to the mothers who
have attended centers sponsored by AGBU Hye Geen.
"The FOCUS Organizing Committee is extremely grateful for the
outpouring support of the Hye Geen program. We are going to make a
huge difference in the lives of so many present and future mothers
giving life and opportunity to the next generation in Armenia,"
said Berberian.
Exchanging perspectives and defining the "AGBU YP" generation
For this year’s festivities, guests flew to Chicago from Argentina,
Armenia, Canada, France, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico, Russia, Spain,
Switzerland, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom,
Uruguay, and over twenty American states.
The schedule of events included Thursday night’s Perspectives, a
networking forum featuring a panel discussion; Friday’s Club Night at
a private club in the heart of downtown Chicago; Saturday afternoon’s
FOCUS on Art with an architectural boat cruise; a closing Sunday
brunch; and the weekend’s most anticipated Saturday-evening gala at
the internationally renowned and newly opened Modern Wing of the Art
Institute of Chicago.
Thursday’s Perspectives has become the traditional kickoff event
of FOCUS, bringing guests together to network and discuss a specific
current issue facing a generation of young Armenian professionals. This
year’s panel took place at the River East Art Center, which houses
many of the city’s art galleries.
The evening’s discussion centered around the legacy Armenian young
professionals want to leave as Armenians to the next generation
and how the Armenian community can engage them to take part and
make a difference. The dialogue was moderated by ABC News Dubai
Correspondent/Digital Reporter Lara Setrakian, who was joined by
three guest speakers: Harry Onnig Madanyan from Chicago, Ignacio
Balassanian from Buenos Aires, and Valentina Poghosyan from London.
"Perspectives 2009 was a timely and important discourse on the
community our generation wants to leave behind," Ms. Setrakian
reflected. "Valentina emphasized Armenian culture and history in
the home, as our community sees more families of mixed cultural
backgrounds. Harry encouraged building more ‘touch points’ between
members of the diaspora and community structures – opportunities
to engage and participate at different stages of life. And Ignacio
pointed out the need to leverage both social networking and face time
as members of our generation connect in person and online."
In addition to insight from Ms. Setrakian and the panelists,
Perspectives featured a lively discussion that included a great amount
of participation from audience members who contributed their ideas on
issues like the importance of language on cultural sustainability,
the Genocide and its role in our consciousness, and how to live
an Armenian life in the 21st century. A speaker from France even
described his generation’s legacy as "a new pipeline," and the need to
re-engineer the way his peers engage each other and cross traditional
community barriers.
The discussion was followed by a catered reception in the fine-art
setting.
Following Perspectives, Friday’s Club Night at Griffin Lounge gave
guests access to a private and exclusive venue to socialize and
dance until late in the evening. Everyone enjoyed a modern mix of
music supplied by a local DJ throughout the night and mingled in the
club’s uniquely decorated rooms.
Beyond the official FOCUS activities, the weekend was also the setting
for the AGBU Young Professionals (YP) Biennial Assembly. Twenty-five
YPs representing the leadership of a dozen YP groups and partner
organizations from seven countries (Argentina, Armenia, Canada, France,
Russia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States) convened
Friday morning to engage in cross cooperation and collaboration with
the end purpose in mind of strengthening and advancing the worldwide
AGBU YP Network.
Co-facilitated by YP Liaison Kim Yacoubian and YP Northern California
Member Alison Ekizian, YP representatives, several meeting for the
very first time, participated in an open exchange on partnership
opportunities and best practices, with a special presentation made by
AGBU YP Yerevan chairperson Harutyun Poghosyan on available projects
in Armenia.
"Representing the largest and most diverse attendance for an AGBU YP
meeting ever with a clear focus on international cooperation," said
Ms. Yacoubian, "this year’s assembly is testament to the accelerated
growth and popularity of the YP Network, and the dedication of the
young Armenians belonging to it who are committed to working together
as a cohesive whole to give back to the community at large to preserve
our time-honored identity and heritage."
Cruising for art and celebrating an achievement
After a successful debut during FOCUS Montreal in 2003, the fourth
FOCUS on Art event took place on Saturday afternoon with a popular
architectural boat cruise on the Chicago River. Guests enjoyed
a sunny afternoon and gourmet lunch while marveling at Chicago’s
soaring towers during a tour guide-led discovery of the city and its
architectural treasures.
"As a lifelong Chicagoan, I was happy to hear the participants’
reaction to the cruise event and the weekend overall. They saw our
architecture, our treasures, enjoyed the food and culture and made
new friends at the same time," said Houri Gueyikian, the local member
of the FOCUS 2009 committee.
The highlight and most anticipated event of the weekend was the
Saturday-night gala, held at the newly opened Modern Wing of Chicago’s
Art Institute. Beginning with cocktails in the Museum’s Grand Staircase
surrounded by fine art, guests had the privilege to walk through the
Alsdorf gallery of South East Asian Art before being welcomed into
the soaring modern wing for a multimedia presentation on the Hye Geen
Pregnant Women’s Centers and an evening with the Kevork Artinian Melody
Band, which played a selection of Armenian and international music.
The evening’s master of ceremonies was Steve Odabashian from
Philadelphia, who introduced FOCUS co-chairs Arda Berberian and
Aline Markarian.
"This year we invaded the Windy City and have had the
pleasure of taking in so many of its cultural attributes," said
Ms. Berberian. "Tonight, we sit amongst the artwork of one of the
most well-known art institutions in the world, while supporting an
AGBU program. I hope you will take a moment to take it all in."
The co-chairs’ enthusiasm for Hye Geen was also amplified by a video
presentation illustrating the stories and faces behind the centers.
"The efforts by the Los Angeles-based AGBU Hye Geen Committee are
exemplary and we stand here today to applaud their achievements," said
Ms. Markarian. "They saw a desperate situation and sought action. I am
proud to announce that the opening of a new Pregnant Women’s Center
in Talin, Armenia, has been made possible by our generous donors of
this year’s FOCUS campaign."
Dr. Lucy Tovmasian from New Jersey was then invited to the podium
to speak about the importance of the Hye Geen program from her
professional understanding of its objectives and success.
"As a doctor [I find that] sometimes progress is best evaluated in
numbers," Dr. Tovmasian said. "In 2001, Armenia’s infant mortality
rate was an unfortunate 41 out of 1,000 births. In 2008, this rate
greatly improved and, according to the CIA World Factbook, the infant
mortality was stated to be [fewer] than 21 out of 1000 births."
Dr. Tovmasian also quoted Hye Geen Chair Sona Yacoubian, who had said:
"What we do through this project is keep two people healthy: the mother
and her newborn child. This way, mothers will be far less likely to
abandon their children and both will remain healthy. Just consider
how strong this will make the future generations of our nation."
Bonds of friendship
On the final morning of a great weekend, guests came together for
the last time for a Sunday brunch on the 16th floor of the Westin
Hotel. The camaraderie of FOCUS certainly echoed throughout the room
amidst the continual goodbyes with excitement and eagerness to reunite
again soon and stay active in AGBU.
"The weekend was nothing short of fantastic," said first-time guest
Alex Grigorians from Los Angeles. "This was my first AGBU Focus and my
only regret is that I missed out on New York, Montreal, and Miami. It
provided a great setting to connect and reconnect with young Armenian
professionals."
"All I can say is that FOCUS exceeded all my expectations," said
Ohanes Sangochian from Mexico. "I am eager to keep in touch with
great Armenians from so many places worldwide. It would be amazing
to do events like this more often to reinforce our Armenian heritage
and friendships."
Like previous FOCUS events before, Chicago 2009 helped unite Armenian
young professionals from around the world to nurture friendships and
strengthen their connection to AGBU, leaving a lasting impression on
their lives. Participants gain a better understanding of the world’s
largest Armenian nonprofit organization’s mission to preserve and
promote the Armenian identity and heritage.
"FOCUS 2009 used the same ingredients of success of the past four
events uniting and providing a sense of pride to all young Armenian
professionals around the world who participated," said Arnaud Attamian
from London, who has attended every FOCUS event since the first one was
organized in New York in 2001. "FOCUS is now a pillar of AGBU’s youth
programs by not only cementing friendship for longtime supporters, but
also adding new people with refreshing ideas to this powerful network."
To date, pre-event fundraising efforts for all five FOCUS events
have raised close to $200,000 for AGBU programs, including the three
AGBU-funded Children’s Centers in Armenia, the American University
of Armenia’s Digital Library, the New York Summer Intern Program,
the Generation Next Mentorship Program of Southern California, Camp
Nubar in upstate New York, the organization’s Scholarship Program,
and now the Hye Geen Pregnant Women’s Centers.
The group of tireless FOCUS committee volunteers who worked diligently
behind the scenes for months leading up to a flawless weekend
included: Co-Chairpersons Arda Berberian and Aline Markarian and
committee members Natalie Gabrelian, Houri Gueyikian, Jenna Ishkanian,
Talia Jebejian, Vadim Krisyan, Ani Manoukian, Salpi Mekhjian, Sevana
Melikian, and Monique Svazlian.
Planning is already underway for the 10th Anniversary of AGBU FOCUS
in 2011.