AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday,
AGBU HOLDS ITS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN PARIS WITH A FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
From February 7-9, hundreds of Armenians and friends—from as far as Japan and
Uruguay, South Africa and Australia—gathered in Paris on the occasion of the
90th General Assembly of the AGBU. Over three days, a full agenda of diverse
events took place at various landmark venues in the heart of the city, starting
with a Welcome Reception at the Eiffel Tower. This set the stage for the rest
of the weekend, over which the 113-year old organization would reflect on its
many accomplishments in the previous two years, contemplate the future of the
Armenian world against the sweeping global shifts wrought by new technologies
and social trends, and recognize distinguished figures in the community who
empower AGBU to touch the lives of over 500,000 Armenians every year and
maintain a presence in nearly 97 countries.
The first of these acknowledgements took place on Friday evening at a Charles
Aznavour Tribute Concert at La Salle Wagram. The life and legacy of this global
entertainer, Armenian statesman at large, and longtime friend of AGBU, was
celebrated with a powerful medley of the lyrical genius’ best-loved ballads,
performed by his esteemed accompanying pianist Erik Berchot and collaborating
jazz singer Joana Mendil. In line with AGBU’s long tradition of fostering
rising Armenian talents, contemporary vocalists Narine Dovlatyan, Iveta
Mukuchyan, Sona Rubenyan, Srbuhi Sargsyan and Gor Sujyan, under the direction
of performer Hayk Petrosyan, captured the audience with their stylistic
tributes. Interspersed throughout the program was documentary footage
chronicling Aznavour’s illustrious career and worldwide impact on society.
Among the distinguished audience members was Aznavour’s son and co-founder of
the Aznavour Foundation Nicolas Aznavour. “It was a great pleasure for us to
honor my father’s memory with the AGBU family in Paris,” Aznavour remarked.
“This concert marks the beginning of many collaborations between AGBU and the
Aznavour Foundation. Charles Aznavour has brought so much joy and pride to our
lives. It is our collective duty to keep alive his artistic and humanitarian
legacy.”
The next day, during the formal session of the 90th General Assembly held at
Les Jardins Saint Dominique, AGBU members unanimously elected four new board
members: Haig Ariyan, Nadia Gortzounian, Vartkess Knadjian and Ari Libarikian.
It was also a time for AGBU leadership to recognize valued individuals, whose
life and work have positively impacted Armenians.
French politician Patrick Devedjian was presented with the Boghos Nubar Award,
the highest honor AGBU bestows upon community members who elevate others and
work tirelessly in service of society. Celebrated as a universal role model and
global Armenian citizen for his advocacy, Devedjian was honored for how he has
paved the way for a generation of Armenian leadership in public service. Among
his many achievements, his unrelenting pursuit of justice in relation to the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide led to the passage of a 2016 extension of
the current French holocaust law, making the denial or trivialization of all
events classed as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes or slavery
punishable crimes.
Esteemed community leaders and committees were also presented with high honors
throughout the Assembly. Tamar Khabaian from Syria, Monica Nalbandian from
Brazil, Maral Tchorbadjian from Australia and Herminé Duzian from France were
all celebrated for their valiant efforts in serving and maintaining the spirit
of AGBU. In addition, the AGBU Buenos Aires Chapter, the AGBU Young
Professionals of Greater New York and the AGBU Young Professionals of Northern
California were also recognized with awards, celebrating their innumerable
contributions to community life among their constituents.
Later in the evening, participants gathered Le Pavillon Ledoyen, one of the
most renowned restaurants in Paris, for the AGBU Gala. The affair was welcomed
by Masters of Ceremony Central Board Member Ani Manoukian and London Trust
Member Camilio Azzouz. Unbeknownst to all, the Gala paid tribute to two
distinguished couples for their decades of active support of AGBU and the
communities around them: Sarkis and Seta Demirdjian; and Vatche and Tamar
Manoukian. Both were presented with tribute videos and special awards.
Building on the storied legacies of their parents, prominent founding figures
in the AGBU communities of Lebanon and Syria, Sarkis and Seta Demirdjian have
continued to expand their philanthropic mission, encouraging new generations to
follow their lead. It was the Demirdjians along with their siblings who, after
the Lebanese Civil War, committed to creating a community center that would
welcome the broader Lebanese community, making AGBU the first Armenian
organization to create such a powerful medium of solidarity in the country and
a model of social enterprise. Beyond investing in education on multiple
continents through the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, the couple also
supports the arts through their work with the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra
and numerous music festivals. Committed to excellence, the Demirdjians were
honored for their relentless efforts in bettering not just the Armenian world,
but society at large.
Vatche and Tamar Manoukian were also thanked for their continued generosity
empowering Armenians and other meaningful communities throughout the world.
Citing merely a handful of the couple’s vast beneficiaries, the Manoukians were
among the first to invest in Armenia bringing outside companies to the nation,
they have also been consistent donors of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and AGBU
through various projects including the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School
and the Performing Arts Center in their name in California. Through their work
with other global non-profit organizations like UNICEF and the Elton John AIDS
Foundation, the Manoukians’ generosity toward the most marginalized communities
has given back to countless in need while also elevating the Armenian image on
a global scale. His Royal Highness, Charles, Prince of Wales characterized
their impact on his Dumfries House project, expressing his congratulations by
saying: “I hope that you know how much you are appreciated for all that you
have done in the United Kingdom. I would’ve called you a national treasure, but
with your scope and breadth of work, it would be more accurate to describe you
as an international treasure.”
The weekend was one of tributes and gratitude, but it served equally as a venue
for looking forward and establishing building blocks for the coming years. One
of the highlights of the three-day program was the all-day Conference at
Station F—the world’s largest start up campus. It was a fitting space for the
extraordinary panel of visionaries and experts, assembled to spark timely and
important conversations moderated by Stèphane Petrossian of AGBU France. The
main thesis of the morning session was the dawn of the fast approaching Quantum
Age. Keynote speaker Robert Vassoyan, Senior Executive Vice President of Atos
S.E., asserted that governments, corporations, organizations and communities
must prepare for the coming wave of far-reaching change, both to seize
opportunities presented by science and technology and to manage the challenges
posed by dark forces in cyberspace. Vassoyan closed his insightful presentation
focusing on Armenia’s future and the tremendous opportunity for developing
start-ups and cultivating diverse, young talent. Characterizing the country as
an “eState,” he emphasized the importance of putting citizens at the center of
this new way of looking at nationhood.
In moderating the first panel on Entrepreneurship, Central Board member and
President of AGBU Armenia Vasken Yacoubian stressed that the entrepreneurial
spirit is core to Armenia’s ability to succeed. Panelists included Tatul
Ajamyan, Founder of Wakie and IT startups, Aline Kamakian, Entrepreneur and
Founder of Mayrig restaurants, and Vahe Keushguerian, Entrepreneur and
Co-Founder of Impact Hub Armenia. Each provided deep insight on the issues
surrounding starting a business in Armenia and the importance of promoting
cultural tolerance between Diaspora and Armenia, as well as integrating female
entrepreneurs into the start-up economy.
The afternoon session picked up on the topic of women, focusing squarely on
trending women’s issues, both in the global context and specifically relating
to Armenia. AGBU Central Board Member Arda Haratunian moderated the discussions
by high profile female leaders in various fields: Astrid Panosyan, Entrepreneur
and Politician (LREM); Emma Arakelyan, Author and NYU Professor; Valerie
Toranian, Director of La Revue des Deux Mondes and former editor-in-chief of
Elle magazine in France; and Isabelle Capron, Vice President of Icicle Shanghai
Fashion Group.
Picking up on the many threads of ideas and concepts that emerged throughout
the panels, President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian took to the podium to
describe his vision of Armenia in light of the rapid succession of smaller
evolutions that continue to transform the landscape of “Start Up Armenia” in
ways previously unimagined. He noted that, at the end of the day, these quantum
leaps of technological wonders must be mastered to remain consistent with our
national morals and values.
The conference concluded with presentations on AGBU initiatives and
partnerships. AGBU Armenia Executive Director Talar Kazanjian on what the
organization is doing to spur entrepreneurism among women in Armenia. She was
followed by entrepreneur and founder of Hyetech Europe Armen Verdian and
Digital Transformation Lead at Brenntag Haik Khanamiryan, who spoke about AGBU
Europe’s Goriz Leadership program, designed to help young leaders collectively
represent the Armenian identity as global citizens.
In addition to the all-day conference, other opportunities for dialogue and
idea exchange were organized for AGBU network representatives and Young
Professional attendees. These adjunct events included a workshop for the AGBU
regional leadership with Central Board members and two forums for Young
Professionals to exchange ideas.
As the GA weekend concluded, participants prepared to leave Paris with a
broader understanding of just how much the Armenian world is empowered by, and
in turn, inspires the rest of the world. “After four full days of thoughtful
reflection, stimulating conversations, celebrations and recognition of so many
exemplary individuals in our midst,” President Setrakian said, “there is no
doubt that AGBU is ready to take the next big leap into the future as a united
force for good— across our communities, throughout Armenia, and in the world.”
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit
organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a
difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the
Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal:
to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. To learn more visit
www.agbu.org.