V.OSKANIAN TOUCHES UPON ROLE AND PROBLEMS OF ARMENIAN DIASPORA AT
TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
TORONTO, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On October 19,
RA Vartan Oskanian who is in Canada on a working visit, made a speech
at the international conference "Building of Possibilities Aimed at
Peace and Development: the Role of the Diaspora" organized by UN
jointly with the University for Peace in Toronto. NT was informed
about it from RA FM Press Service. Chairman of UN General Assembly
61st session, Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa made a greeting speech at
the conference. Minister Oskanian presented the Armenian Diaspora’s
experience, spoke about Diasporan structures’ activity in various
countries and problms of its development. Presenting the history of
emergence and formation of the Armenian Diaspora, he touched upon
the problems of Diaspora’s identity. Armenia-Diaspora relations
were also touched upon. In particular, it was mentioned that the
latter’s assistance to Armenia is provided in economic and political
directions: economic assistance through investments, philanthropy and
monetary transfers, political assistance through support in Nagorno
Karabakh settlement, recognition of the Armenian Genocide and in
issues relating to Armenian-Turkish relations. After the conference
Minister Oskanian continued to communicate with the representatives of
Canadian Armenian community. Issues of Armenian villages’ development,
as well as of Armenian community’s and individuals’ participation in
various business projects were discussed at the meetings.