Issues of concern to the Armenian lobby and advocacy groups
Role
of the Armenian Diaspora
Issues:
THE DEBATE:
WHAT RESPONSES HAVE BEEN TAKEN?
WHAT RESPONSES CAN BE TAKEN?
OTHER ISSUES:
http://www.anca.org/
http://www.aaainc.org/
http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/
INTERVIEW
With
VARTAN OSKANIAN
MINISTER
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
on
THE SECOND
ARMENIA DIASPORA CONFERENCE
TO BE HELD
MAY 27-28, 2002
The
second Armenia Diaspora Conference will take place in Yerevan,
May 27-28, 2002. As with the first Armenia Diaspora Conference
which took place in September, 1999, it is expected that more than a thousand
Armenians from
Armenia and 50
other countries will participate in this gathering intended to bring together
the resources of Armenia and the Diaspora.
Armenia’s, Karabakh’s and the Diaspora’s political and clerical hierarchy will
address the participants. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the body
responsible for the organization of the conference. Vartan Oskanian,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, responds to questions about the purpose, content
and format of the Conference.
What are your expectations of this conference?
We are looking forward to this conference being the natural continuation of what
we began together in September 1999. Tragically, the assassinations of October
1999 threw many things off course, among them, the activities of this conference
which had resulted in the very warm, congenial, serious joining of forces
among the various Diaspora communities and groupings, and between them
and the establishment in
Armenia.
We are hoping this second Diaspora Conference will pick up where we left off in
1999.
Second, we are intent on making this second gathering a more practical,
goal-oriented one. Specific content areas will be studied in depth in the months
leading up to the conference, and during the two days of the conference itself.
We expect that attendees will come to some agreement on certain projects which
can be further explored or implemented jointly immediately following the
conference.
Third, we are also looking to this conference to do what the first conference
left undone – that is, begin to create the mechanisms which will make possible a
combined approach to prioritizing the serious issues and challenges which
confront us collectively, and which will lead to a search for their
resolution.
Fourth, these conferences should be seen as opportunities for both Armenia and
Diaspora to more fundamentally assess and understand each other. If
Armenia
wants and expects the Diaspora’s participation in its state-building process,
then we need to take into account their issues and needs. If the Diaspora
anticipates that Armenia will or should develop in certain ways, then it needs
to study closely and understand Armenia’s capabilities, and the thoughts and perspectives of
Armenia’s people.
This conference is an effort in that direction – to give everyone an opportunity
to speak aloud about those issues which concern all of us. This is both a chance
to broach new horizons, and to dig into causes and sources of problems and
disappointments.
Finally, for the Diaspora, the organizational process leading up to these
conferences will become the catalyst for changes and re-organization in Diaspora
structures. The Diaspora has not had, for various reasons, clear
representational systems. That leads to difficulties when
Armenia and
Armenia’s institutions attempt to interact with Diaspora communities and
institutions. Whom would the President call if he wanted to call the Diaspora?
This is apparent as both
Armenia
and Diaspora try to determine attendance parameters for this conference, for
example.
So, this conference will differ from the first one?
Yes, it will differ in form and content. The 1999 conference, being the first
one, needed to be more theoretical, general, with more questions raised than
answered, where an effort was made to create the right environment for tackling
problems, rather than attacking the problems themselves. This second
conference will definitely be more focused, with various sectors more directly
examined, with one or two or more projects -- of specific interest to either
Armenia
or Diaspora or both -- formally adopted for follow-through and implementation.
All attendees will not spend the entire two-day period in plenary sessions. This
year, most of the time will be allocated to smaller, simultaneous sessions
covering specific topics.
What are those specific areas on which this conference will focus?
There are five broad categories: Business and economy; Science, culture and
education; Information and media; Political relations and advocacy;
Organizational/structural development.
Why these areas?
These were the areas of interest identified by the members of the first
conference. Because of the assassinations and the subsequent upheaval, the
appropriate working groups were never established. This is what I meant when I
said this conference is and should be a natural continuation of the first, We
believe that it is important to focus this second conference on areas where
joint efforts can be efficiently utilized for optimal results. We also want to
focus on areas which are of mutual interest to
Armenia and the
Diaspora. Business and economy is of obvious urgent relevance today. Under this heading, we
intend to look at the good and bad in
Armenia’s
taxation and regulatory environment, Armenia’s marketing and product development
needs, the tourism sector
– its successes
and oversights, investors’ concerns, etc. Under education, we want to give
time and space to college students from around the world who need to and want to
network, as well as the needs of
Armenia’s schools,
the regional potential of some of its higher institutions, especially the
scientific ones. Concerns about the arts and Armenia-Diaspora cultural
exchange, too, is a matter which should be addressed, as well as
identifying and targeting those pan-Armenian significant celebrations which can
have an impact on Diaspora life, and
Armenia’s
cultural and economic development. Under information and media, we will have
experts and participants in those fields discuss the needs of the professionals,
as well as the needs of the consumers, that is, the Armenians of
Armenia and
Diaspora, and their information needs. Political relations and advocacy will
include discussions about aspects of Armenia’s foreign policy,
which of them are priority concerns in the immediate future, and analyzing our
capacities for tackling them. Finally, under organizational/structural
development we will address the essential, fundamental, theoretical issues
affecting Diaspora-Armenia structural and organizational relations. What is a
Diasporan? Does the Diaspora need formal structures? How have other homeland-diaspora
relations developed? How do we work towards the creation of a
pan-Armenian body to coordinate the processes of communication, assistance,
exchange? These are the kinds of issues which concern us all, and that is why
these areas of discussion have been chosen.
How will the conference be organized to tackle such a broad range of topics?
The first conference was one long plenary session, with one break-out session
allotted to specific topics. During this second conference, the format will be
the exact opposite. The opening and closing sessions will be plenary, with the
remainder of the time allotted to more than 20 individual sessions, where panels
of experts will address a variety of topics, like some of those I’ve already
mentioned, and where one, two or more projects -- of specific interest to either
Armenia or Diaspora or both – will be formally adopted for follow-through and
implementation.
Who will be allowed to participate?
Essentially, anyone who wants to. First, we will invite each Diaspora
community to select and send as representative a delegation as possible,
just like last time. In fact, we believe that one of the direct benefits of
these conferences and this method of participation is that Diaspora units
will have to work together to create a common representative delegation.
Those invitations to communities and organizations are in the process of being
sent out. In addition to these delegations, we will invite specialists and
key individuals. Finally, those who wish to be present at the conference may
attend by registering and indicating their area of interest. We are striving for
a broad participation base, firmly believing that those who want to be there
should be allowed to come. After all, it is in everyone’s best interests
that the Diaspora be as inclusive as possible.
What avenues exist for individuals or organizations to make suggestions or
proposals to the conference planning commission?
During the pre-conference period, there will be public and private meetings
in various Diaspora communities and in
Armenia,
too. Our embassies will also be involved in this outreach effort. Information
about the conference and pre-conference planning activities will be readily
available through community newspapers and on our website
www.armeniadiaspora.com which was created immediately following the first
Diaspora Conference. In addition, by email, or by fax, we are prepared to
read and respond to all suggestions. Not all suggestions may be incorporated or
implemented obviously, but they will all be considered. It is important to
remember that this conference is just the second in a series, and the conference
is a means of establishing and encouraging communication and cooperation.
Suggestions, proposals, contacts made before and during the conference will
be maintained and enhanced following the conference as well.
What other events are planned in conjunction with the conference?
Immediately preceding the conference, the Armenia Fund (Hayastan All-Armenia
fund) will be holding its regular Board of Directors meeting, and celebrating
its 10th anniversary. May 28, of course, is also the Day of the First
Republic. Cultural events will be planned throughout that week, and in
addition, special activities, meetings and tours for Diaspora conference
attendees will be available in the days immediately preceding the
conference. In other words, we hope that the combined experience of the
conference and the related events will be so strong and effective that the
Armenia-Diaspora bonds will become even healthier and more productive. After
all, the purpose of these gatherings is to create the environment whereby we
can understand each other better, more realistically comprehend each other’s
needs and actions, and together create that which we all want and deserve – a
secure, prosperous state with a healthy, vibrant, active Diaspora.
TEXT FROM:
Return to Conference
Home Page http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/conference2002
INTERVIEW
With
VARTAN OSKANIAN
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
on
THE SECOND ARMENIA DIASPORA CONFERENCE
TO BE HELD
MAY 27-28, 2002
The
second Armenia Diaspora Conference will take place in Yerevan, May 27-28, 2002.
As with the first Armenia Diaspora Conference which took place in September,
1999, it is expected that more than a thousand Armenians from Armenia and 50
other countries will participate in this gathering intended to bring together
the resources of Armenia and the Diaspora. Armenia’s, Karabakh’s and the
Diaspora’s political and clerical hierarchy will address the participants. The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the body responsible for the organization of the
conference. Vartan Oskanian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, responds to questions
about the purpose, content and format of the Conference.
What are your expectations of this conference?
We are looking forward to this conference being the natural continuation of what
we began together in September 1999. Tragically, the assassinations of October
1999 threw many things off course, among them, the activities of this conference
which had resulted in the very warm, congenial, serious joining of forces among
the various Diaspora communities and groupings, and between them and the
establishment in Armenia. We are hoping this second Diaspora Conference will
pick up where we left off in 1999.
Second, we are intent on making this second gathering a more practical,
goal-oriented one. Specific content areas will be studied in depth in the months
leading up to the conference, and during the two days of the conference itself.
We expect that attendees will come to some agreement on certain projects which
can be further explored or implemented jointly immediately following the
conference.
Third, we are also looking to this conference to do what the first conference
left undone – that is, begin to create the mechanisms which will make possible a
combined approach to prioritizing the serious issues and challenges which
confront us collectively, and which will lead to a search for their resolution.
Fourth, these conferences should be seen as opportunities for both Armenia and
Diaspora to more fundamentally assess and understand each other. If Armenia
wants and expects the Diaspora’s participation in its state-building process,
then we need to take into account their issues and needs. If the Diaspora
anticipates that Armenia will or should develop in certain ways, then it needs
to study closely and understand Armenia’s capabilities, and the thoughts and
perspectives of Armenia’s people. This conference is an effort in that direction
– to give everyone an opportunity to speak aloud about those issues which
concern all of us. This is both a chance to broach new horizons, and to dig into
causes and sources of problems and disappointments.
Finally, for the Diaspora, the organizational process leading up to these
conferences will become the catalyst for changes and re-organization in Diaspora
structures. The Diaspora has not had, for various reasons, clear
representational systems. That leads to difficulties when Armenia and Armenia’s
institutions attempt to interact with Diaspora communities and institutions.
Whom would the President call if he wanted to call the Diaspora? This is
apparent as both Armenia and Diaspora try to determine attendance parameters for
this conference, for example.
So, this conference will differ from the first one?
Yes, it will differ in form and content. The 1999 conference, being the first
one, needed to be more theoretical, general, with more questions raised than
answered, where an effort was made to create the right environment for tackling
problems, rather than attacking the problems themselves. This second conference
will definitely be more focused, with various sectors more directly examined,
with one or two or more projects -- of specific interest to either Armenia or
Diaspora or both -- formally adopted for follow-through and implementation.
All attendees will not spend the entire two-day period in plenary sessions. This
year, most of the time will be allocated to smaller, simultaneous sessions
covering specific topics.
What are those specific areas on which this conference will focus?
There are five broad categories: Business and economy; Science, culture and
education; Information and media; Political relations and advocacy;
Organizational/structural development.
Why these areas?
These were the areas of interest identified by the members of the first
conference. Because of the assassinations and the subsequent upheaval, the
appropriate working groups were never established. This is what I meant when I
said this conference is and should be a natural continuation of the first, We
believe that it is important to focus this second conference on areas where
joint efforts can be efficiently utilized for optimal results. We also want to
focus on areas which are of mutual interest to Armenia and the Diaspora.
Business and economy is of obvious urgent relevance today. Under this heading,
we intend to look at the good and bad in Armenia’s taxation and regulatory
environment, Armenia’s marketing and product development needs, the tourism
sector – its successes and oversights, investors’ concerns, etc. Under
education, we want to give time and space to college students from around the
world who need to and want to network, as well as the needs of Armenia’s
schools, the regional potential of some of its higher institutions, especially
the scientific ones. Concerns about the arts and Armenia-Diaspora cultural
exchange, too, is a matter which should be addressed, as well as identifying and
targeting those pan-Armenian significant celebrations which can have an impact
on Diaspora life, and Armenia’s cultural and economic development. Under
information and media, we will have experts and participants in those fields
discuss the needs of the professionals, as well as the needs of the consumers,
that is, the Armenians of Armenia and Diaspora, and their information needs.
Political relations and advocacy will include discussions about aspects of
Armenia’s foreign policy, which of them are priority concerns in the immediate
future, and analyzing our capacities for tackling them. Finally, under
organizational/structural development we will address the essential,
fundamental, theoretical issues affecting Diaspora-Armenia structural and
organizational relations. What is a Diasporan? Does the Diaspora need formal
structures? How have other homeland-diaspora relations developed? How do we work
towards the creation of a pan-Armenian body to coordinate the processes of
communication, assistance, exchange? These are the kinds of issues which concern
us all, and that is why these areas of discussion have been chosen.
How will the conference be organized to tackle such a broad range of topics?
The first conference was one long plenary session, with one break-out session
allotted to specific topics. During this second conference, the format will be
the exact opposite. The opening and closing sessions will be plenary, with the
remainder of the time allotted to more than 20 individual sessions, where panels
of experts will address a variety of topics, like some of those I’ve already
mentioned, and where one, two or more projects -- of specific interest to either
Armenia or Diaspora or both – will be formally adopted for follow-through and
implementation.
Who will be allowed to participate?
Essentially, anyone who wants to. First, we will invite each Diaspora community
to select and send as representative a delegation as possible, just like last
time. In fact, we believe that one of the direct benefits of these conferences
and this method of participation is that Diaspora units will have to work
together to create a common representative delegation. Those invitations to
communities and organizations are in the process of being sent out. In addition
to these delegations, we will invite specialists and key individuals. Finally,
those who wish to be present at the conference may attend by registering and
indicating their area of interest. We are striving for a broad participation
base, firmly believing that those who want to be there should be allowed to
come. After all, it is in everyone’s best interests that the Diaspora be as
inclusive as possible.
What avenues exist for individuals or organizations to make suggestions or
proposals to the conference planning commission?
During the pre-conference period, there will be public and private meetings in
various Diaspora communities and in Armenia, too. Our embassies will also be
involved in this outreach effort. Information about the conference and
pre-conference planning activities will be readily available through community
newspapers and on our website www.armeniadiaspora.com which was created
immediately following the first Diaspora Conference. In addition, by email, or
by fax, we are prepared to read and respond to all suggestions. Not all
suggestions may be incorporated or implemented obviously, but they will all be
considered. It is important to remember that this conference is just the second
in a series, and the conference is a means of establishing and encouraging
communication and cooperation. Suggestions, proposals, contacts made before and
during the conference will be maintained and enhanced following the conference
as well.
What other events are planned in conjunction with the conference?
Immediately preceding the conference, the Armenia Fund (Hayastan All-Armenia
fund) will be holding its regular Board of Directors meeting, and celebrating
its 10th anniversary. May 28, of course, is also the Day of the First Republic.
Cultural events will be planned throughout that week, and in addition, special
activities, meetings and tours for Diaspora conference attendees will be
available in the days immediately preceding the conference. In other words, we
hope that the combined experience of the conference and the related events will
be so strong and effective that the Armenia-Diaspora bonds will become even
healthier and more productive. After all, the purpose of these gatherings is to
create the environment whereby we can understand each other better, more
realistically comprehend each other’s needs and actions, and together create
that which we all want and deserve – a secure, prosperous state with a healthy,
vibrant, active Diaspora.