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Armenia Diaspora Report Meguerditch Bouldoukian |
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PROPOSED
OUTLINE PLAN
FOR
ARMENIA -
DIASPORA COOPERATION
Meguerditch L. Bouldoukian
Beirut,
June 1999
INTRODUCTION
The Proposed Outline Plan for Armenia-Diaspora
cooperation is an open-ended report that may be continuously updated
through revisions, additions, and detailed partial studies. It is
based on years of observation, analysis and meditation about the past,
the present and the future of Armenians in general and the Armenian
Diaspora in particular. Who we are? What are we doing? What should be done? Are simple questions for a problem as complex as collective
life can be. They are not abstract philosophical queries. Finding
answers to them is an essential and necessary prerequisite for the
definition of our national purpose. Since time immemorial, in the absence of a national
self evaluation, credo and vision statement we were not able to define
our national purpose. Only on rare occasions, heroic actions of the
few have turned our passive vegetation into dynamic renaissance. Most
of the time, dominated by successive external forces, we have gone
astray, and passively we have survived, turning tools and means into
aims to achieve. Hence, it is an absolute must, through a collective introspection and objective analysis, to formulate a general and comprehensive vision of the present state of our national affairs. And, through a unifying credo to define a system of thought and its constituent paradigm and point-of-reference, and then only devise the necessary organizational structure, tools and means for the achievement of goals and objectives within a plausible framework of priorities. A. VISION STATEMENTThrough
well-defined goals and adequate tools achieve full cooperation of all
Armenians in the Diaspora. Turn national sentiments into pragmatic
bond by assigning appropriate rights and devising attractive
incentives. In return, plan and expect voluntary obligation to
participate in the historic rebuilding of our free nation.
Based on long term national strategy, plan
and utilize total potential capabilities of both the Republic of
Armenia and the Diaspora. Define collective rights, roles and
responsibilities. Aim at a desirable setup where every Armenian
community becomes an active member of the nation, in sentiments,
thoughts and actions.
Acknowledge the historical importance of
Diaspora and consider it as a separate entity getting pride in the
Republic of Armenia as a source of national inspiration. In order to
stop the accelerating havoc of assimilation, devise dialectical means
to achieve constructive, positive and durable interactive relationship
between the two wings of the same nation with their proper social
structure and mentality but the same essential common need for
national identity, prosperity and quality of life.
As citizens of a multitude of countries,
Armenians have different legal and moral obligations that should be
respected fully. However, it is their human right to have their own
system of thought and paradigm, as long as they are not in
contradiction with universal ethical values and the laws of the
countries where they live as citizens. Cultural differences have
always been a source of mutual enrichment and a positive motivation
for excellence.
B. CREDO
I Believe
in the sacred land of Armenia, crowned by Ararat, landing spot of Noah’s
Ark and rebirth of Humanity. I Believe
in the perennial ethnic values of freedom, honor and independence
since Haig of the mythology, till the anonymous hero of Artsakh. I Believe
in ethnic values of patient creativity in a hard and destructive
environment and abiding to human rights, long before they were
written. I Believe
in the territorial integrity of Historical Armenia and the eternal
right and responsibility of its recovery by all and every Armenian. I Believe
in the independent and sovereign state of the Republic of Armenia, and
the duty of each and every Armenian to participate in its
reconstruction and the right to enjoy fruits of prosperity. I Believe
in the fact that political, economic and cultural prosperity of the
Republic of Armenia shall have a positive moral and material influence
on every individual Armenian. I Believe
in the fact that belonging to a group is one of the basic social needs
of all human beings, as a source of protection and stimulus for
achievement. I Believe
in the fact that sense of solidarity among individuals and groups and
union of efforts to achieve common goals is more than sum of
individual efforts, it is rather multiplication and a mighty
qualitative leap towards moral purification and material prosperity. I Believe
in the fact that Armenian Civilization, as one of the oldest and rich
experiences, is a treasury of ethical values and pride, and as such it
may positively compare to any other civilization. I Believe
in the fact that all human beings have the same set of genes, they are
all equal with the sum total of their force and weakness, and that
only through sharing the same values they are differentiated from each
other.
C. MISSION STATEMENT
Search for and devise a comprehensive system of thought by which as a
nation and individuals we can organize our thinking and personal
experience, channel actions, form relevant associations and social
institutions, and relate to the world at large. Using a system of
thought will significantly help the individual to create a personal
reality which embody the best, long-range self-interest and to realize
one’s fullest potential in an environment of rapid personal and
social change. The essential element of any system of thought is the
definition of its purpose. The definition of the goal determines and
configures the means; this is an absolute law that governs all
systems. Human nature is about striving; but it makes little sense to
be striving unless and until a person or a nation has an idea about
what it is for. Intelligent action requires conscious purpose. Future
direction, a coherent understanding of both the present and the past,
moral values, means, and methods, all are determined by the definition
of purpose. Any system of thought must have an explicitly defined,
ultimate purpose; and that is the first thing which needs to be
resolved before moving on to means and methods and setting forth
long-range, intermediate, short-term, and immediate objectives.
After the definition of purpose, the next essential element of any
system of thought is to define in what entity that value counts. All
systems of thought define a central point-of-reference or being, for
which the system has its meaning. It may be God, the State or Money.
All such systems, explicitly or implicitly, subordinate the individual
to their respective, central points-of-reference, which are conceived
as being outside the individual. A conscious frame-of-reference and
linking one’s identity to that idea will, over time, substantially
reorganize one’s thinking and actions and direct them along a more
positive, future-oriented path. It opens a new perspective on our
situation, priorities become realigned, the meaning of self is
redefined, social affiliations are restructured, and new opportunities
become more visible. The third essential element of any system of thought is to define a priori beliefs that form the basis of a cosmogony. It may be formed of symbolic, legendary, historical, ethical, philosophical and different other values. They may be accepted by sheer belief and simultaneously rejected by rational analysis.
The last, essential element of any system of thought is to render them
into practical application.
The following synopsis is a starting point only. Comprehensive and
detailed studies of the political, economical and cultural fields are
necessary in order an effective plan of cooperation between the
Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora is devised and implemented,
efficiently. D. THE PRESENT SITUATION
REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA Politics
Internal
Synopsis of political system Foreign
Relation with USA
Relation with EC
Relation with Russia
Relation with Turkey
Relation with Iran
Relation with Azerbaidjan
Relation with Georgia Artsagh
Military
Political
Economical
Social
Demographical Armenian
cause
International affirmation of the Armenian Genocide Economy
Economic
trends and outlook
Principal growth sectors
Balance of payment situation
Infrastructure situation
Major political issues affecting business
Government role in the economy Legal
and regulatory concerns
Economical system and
ethical values Legal
system Investment
climate
Right to private ownership
Protection of property rights
Taxes and other fees
Transparency of the regulatory system
Conversion and transfer policies
Expropriation and compensation
Dispute settlement
Corruption
Capital outflow policy Reconstruction In Armenia In Artsakh
Industry
Nature of existing
production
Standard norms & specifications
Agriculture
Trade and project financing
Trade regulations and
standards
Trade barriers: import taxes
Customs valuation
Import licenses
Export controls
Import documentation
Fields and sources of import
Transportation
Marketing
Distribution and sales channels
Direct marketing
Joint ventures/licensing
Advertising and trade promotion
Banking system
General financing availability
Business infrastructure
Tourism
Types of inbound tourism
Quality of the existing
hospitality services
Hotel room capacity
Marketing
Organizational issues
Cooperation with world and regional organizations
Culture
Education
Educational targets and
programs
Market requirements and higher education
Cooperation with international institutions
Science
Existing
categories and their efficiency
Research
Technology
Existing
categories and their efficiency
Research
Arts
and Literature
Creative
issues
Social issues
Organizational issues
Financial issues
Marketing issues
Applied
arts
Categories
Research
Organizational isssues
Financial issues
Media
Written press
Audio visual
Internet
DIASPORA Politics
Current
status of the political parties Social
Democratic Hentchakian Party Armenian
Revolutionary Party Ramgavar
Liberal Party Communist
Pary
Issues
related to citizenship in different countries
Rights
and obligations
Political
lobbying
Disparate
activists
International
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide
Schedule
of present achievements
Armenian
historical claims
Lack
of coordination Territorial
and financial claims Cilicia:
why not on the agenda? Current
status of the Church
Armenian
Apostolic Church - Etchmiadzin Armenian
Apostolic Church - Cilicia Armenian
Catholic Church Armenian
Evangelical Church Current
status of other institutions
AGBU Humanitarian
organizations Independent
cultural associations Independent
research institutions Independent
professional associations Economy
Nature
of effort Individual Family Short term objectives and achievements Nature
of wealth Bank
accounts Real
estate Industry Local trade Need
to quantify In
each country Global Inherent
constraints for further development Business
tradition Psychological causes
Educational causes Lack
of collective effort through: Corporations Multinational companies Lack
of collective financial tools All
Armenian banks in Diaspora Portfolio
management of national wealth Culture
International
wealth Languages Achievements
in economy Achievements
in finance Achievements
in science and technology Achievements
in Arts Achievements
in Media
E.
GOALS TO ACHIEVE
1.
REPUBLIC OF
ARMENIA
With the cooperation of the Diaspora, to devise a
national strategy and a working plan, for the universal recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, and the imprescriptible right of the survivors
and their heirs to claim and obtain justice.
Politics
Internal
State
program of the Republic of Armenia Foreign
State program of the Republic of Armenia Artsagh
Monitor
world and regional political developments Genocide
Intensify
lobbying activities
Division of role between Armenia and Diaspora
Intensify efforts for the affirmation of Armenian Genocide Economy
Legal,
Regulatory and Environmental concerns
Licensing, taxation, investment requirements Finance
World
organizations
Multilateral organizations (IBRD, IFC, EIB)
Export credit agencies
Institutional funds
International banks
Local banks
Privatization Risk
factors
Country risks
Political
Legal and legislative
Projections for exchange rate for inflation, growth etc
Insurance program
Market demand risk
Industry
International norms Tourism
Heritage
Archeology
Festivals Agriculture Power
supply Trade
Custom
duty structure Reconstruction In
Armenia In Artsakh
Project economics
Analysis of
macroeconomic assumptions
Analysis of project assumptions
Analysis of cost structure and source of revenues
Impact of inflation, exchange rate, interest rate risks
Portfolio of investment opportunities Realistic
feasibility studies Competition Review of competing marketing strategy, cost, precedents
Review of competing technologies and products
Culture
Education
Fix aims and develop new
programs
Science
Enhance existing
structures
Define new research sectors
Develop production oriented applied sciences
Arts and Literature
Provide incentives and
financial assistance
Applied arts
Turn it into productive
sector of the economy
Media
Internet
Satellite channels
Presence in the international media
2. DIASPORA
To preserve the cultural identity of Armenian
communities in the Diaspora through moral and material stimulus, to
introduce qualitative changes in their economic thought and activities
and to achieve a new social setup where unity of collective aims
become predominant.
Integration of the individual person as citizens in
host countries is unavoidable, sooner or later. However, identifying
oneself to a group is a natural human need and a social fact.
Combining both, in a positive manner, is a challenge worth accepting,
in the interest of each and every Armenian individual, each and every
Armenian institution and the Republic of Armenia.
The following traditional tools have been utilized as
essential and necessary elements in the formation of the Armenian
Identity:
a.
Cultural
heritage: as a source of pride through past achievement
b.
Language:
as a means of communication and symbol of bond
c.
Church:
as unique personality within the universal religious systems and a
reference of perennial ethical values
d.
Family:
as the guardian of the collective memory through tradition
e.
Schools:
in building up of the spirit of a nation and its character
f.
Political
parties: forming active leaders for the community and defending
collective rights
g.
Cultural
associations and clubs: satisfying the spiritual needs and desires
In 1999, they are still essential but not sufficient
elements. New pragmatic tools should satisfy material needs and
desires, strengthening the bond between individuals with high
motivation to belong to the group as active members.
The following complementary tools should be organized
on a national level, to create a new momentum of solidarity and
cooperation, independently of all political or religious
considerations:
1.
Professional
associations: to translate sense of solidarity into everyday material
advantage.
2.
Association
of individual having the same cultural interests (in its widest
sense), and belonging to different religious communities, political
parties and generations.
3.
Inventory of
Armenian human resources: to organize and utilize the potential
collective knowledge and wealth of each and every Armenian for the
benefit of each and every other Armenian.
4.
Solidarity
funds: through scholarship and career funds establish a new order of
relationship and honor system through which receivers
of today become the givers
of tomorrow.
5.
Establishment
or development of research centers to assist professional political
lobbying and cultural propaganda.
6.
Establishment
of an Armenian Economical and Social web, interconnecting all active
forces of the Nation, for the benefit of each and everyone.
OBJECTIVES
It is necessary to define the nature and influence of external forces affecting our collective memory and values. Even powerful nations are aware of the danger of global mass media providing immense quantity of raw information, short of knowledge and wisdom. Monitoring ever changing environmental conditions and analyzing their negative and positive effect, is the starting point to design new national guideline for the utilization of the traditional and complementary tools necessary to preserve the Armenian Identity, within environments of undefined uniformity.
Proposed guideline for:
1.
Cultural
heritage: through new methods and means and in different languages and
tools to diffuse it in all countries where Armenian presence has
already created a collective goodwill. Interactive positive
relationship through mutual respect of values is a source of
enrichment.
2.
Language:
Armenian language, as any other language, is a plus for any person. As
any living language, it is altered under the influence of other
languages and new terms. It is a historical fact that in certain
regions of Cilicia, Armenian communities continued to exist as such,
long after they had lost the practice of Armenian language. Hence,
language being as one of the factors, losing it under adverse
situations should be compensated by other means. Regional spoken
language may be accepted as a rule, and the knowledge and practice of
literary language as the exception.
3.
Church: the
Armenian Apostolic Church and later in history, two other Armenian
churches acted as guardians of Armenian culture. During long periods
of political vacancy they have regulated the Armenian social structure
and have implemented ethical values. Lately, due to different factors,
the bond has become loose, communion rare and symbolic. It is
necessary for the Church as for all other national institutions to
reach the people by speaking its language and understanding its needs.
It would be unrealistic, to expect people coming to the church by pure
obligation or habit. The Church in Diaspora, should be the caring and
active leader, with a long-term national vision, defining and
implementing ethical and national values and achieving the difficult
task of reconciling contradictory partisan expectations, in the
interest of Armenian communities in Diaspora and the Republic of
Armenia.
4.
Family:
external forces have naturally affected the profile of the Armenian
family in Diaspora. After a period of declared and fierce opposition,
mixed marriages, due to changing sociological conditions, have
increased in number. The traditional value of silent sacrifice,
endured by the couple, has given way to intolerance and divorce.
Materialistic concerns have replaced spiritual values and practical
considerations have diluted moral principles. Only through organized
and true guidance the trend may be slowed down reversion being next to
impossible. 5. Schools: in the absence of a National Credo and guidelines for | |