1. INTRODUCTION
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
The Second Armenia-Diaspora Conference shall be held within the context
of the new world order in the wake of different political polarizations and
renewed focus on Artsakh conflict with important geopolitical considerations.
The Foreign Ministry of the
As for the Diaspora, with its multiple existential problems and the
accelerating transformation of it cultural identity, is at a turning point,
when it is essential to have a new leadership that should have a clear vision
of the changing conditions and develop a new national orientation with a
suitable long-term program in order to reduce the havoc caused by assimilation
and the increasing indifference leading to hopeless desertion.
Hence, it is essential to have a pragmatic and constructive Second Armenia-Diaspora Conference, aiming at the creation of the embryo of a Pan-Armenian organizational structure, considering its utmost importance for the strategic planning, implementation and continuous evaluation of vital issues related to the sustainable development of the Republic of Armenia and the preservation of the Armenian cultural identity in the Diaspora. Attaining the collective welfare may become an easier endeavor through the joint effort of the two wings.
STRENTHS
Active presence of Armenian Diaspora in capitals of
decision
Collective motivation to claim historical rights
Enough goodwill to build on new pragmatic relations
Sentimental attachment to the Armenian roots
Existing community organizations and social contacts
Armenian history and culture, as a source of inspiration
and pride
Network of international friendships and business
relations
International linguistic skills
Local political leverage in different countries
High percentage of university graduates and professionals
WEAKNESSES
Undefined national purpose in the Diaspora
Undefined long term, medium term and short-term objectives
in the Diaspora
Lack of pragmatic motivation to hinge on Armenian
Identity in the Diaspora
Lack of existential advantages to keep on being Armenian
in the Diaspora
Lack of organized social and economic solidarity
Struggle between political parties
Struggle within political parties
Historical division of the Armenian Church
Difference in mentalities between
Degenerating ethnic values
Absence
of social and business ethics
Degenerating ethnic character traits
Increasing opportunistic tendencies in business
transactions
Undefined national social philosophy
Different values in different countries of the Diaspora
and
Diminishing sources of pride
Influence of globalization upon identities and regional
cultures
Lack of collective incentives
Lack of charismatic leaders with vision
Obsolete tools used in managing community affairs
Too many voluntary social servants in need of their chair
Too many vacant undefined leadership posts
Underdeveloped political thinking
Underdeveloped economic network
OPPORTUNITIES
Accelerating advocacy for the universal recognition of
the Armenian Genocide
Advocacy for the political and economic development of
the
International cultural synergy through interactive
exchange of ideas and experiences
Potential possibilities to create sustainable individual
and collective goodwill
Possibilities for the creation of social and economic
solidarity on win-win basis
Use of Internet and other communication tools to build up
Armenian networks
Transfer of skills and experiences between
Dual citizenship as a source emotional satisfaction and
security
THREATS
Globalization
Growing assimilation due to undefined collective purpose
and strategic planning
Growing indifference towards Armenian language and
culture
Decreasing number of students attending Armenian Schools
Growing tension between rights and obligations as
citizens and Armenian roots
Market economy and its negative effect on social welfare
Loosening bond between individuals and Community
Leaderships
3. GOALS TO ACHIEVE
3.1. As a result of a wide scale introspection and objective analysis, to formulate a general and comprehensive vision of the present state of our national affairs. Devise a system of thought by which as a nation and individuals we could organize our thinking and personal experience, channel actions, form relevant associations and social institutions, and relate to the world at large. Based upon a unifying belief values to devise the necessary organizational structure, tools and means for the achievement of goals and objectives within a feasible framework of priorities.
3.2.
Based on long-term national strategy,
plan and utilize total potential capabilities of both the
3.3. Through 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.
3.4. Preserve the cultural identity of Armenian communities in the Diaspora through moral and material stimulus, introduce qualitative changes in their economic thought and activities and achieve a new social setup where unity of collective aims becomes predominant.
3.5.
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
3.6.
Preserve the political and military
security of the
3.7.
Acknowledge the historical importance of
Diaspora and consider it as a separate entity getting pride in the
3.8. With the cooperation of the Diaspora, devise a national strategy for the universal recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and the inalienable right of the survivors and their heirs to claim and obtain justice through moral and material compensations.
4. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Governance of the Armenian Communities in the Diaspora is still centrifugal. In the absence of a unifying vision and consensus on national goals and the priority of their implementation, the need for a transnational organizational structure was not considered as a vital necessity. In general, Armenian Community organizations in the Diaspora are still using mostly aging methods to perpetuate legitimacy over the growing generations with different mindsets and expectations in their search to integrate their personal human aspirations and their cultural identity in a positive and constructive manner. Each organization, with its specific program, has been trying to find a self-justification for its existence, at the risk of redundancy. Limiting the field of their activities to the accomplishment of short-term objectives has negatively affected the level of motivation of their membership or constituency, leading to collective frustration and indifference.
The creation of a
Pan-Armenian Organizational Structure is a necessary historical decision for a
comprehensive planning of our national destiny and through efficient management
tools to attain long-term goals, in a fast changing world of threats and
opportunities.
It is expected that at the
highest level of responsibility when community service is considered as
self-imposed sacrifice and not personal glory, legitimacy of representation may
take different dimensions. At present, community leadership, democratically
elected or appointed, may be considered as representing an active minority of
Armenian Community members. Although the passive silent majority is not
represented in a legitimate manner, it would be unrealistic to obstruct its
role based on disputable legitimacy considerations inherent in non-structured
constituencies.
Hence, following the definition of vision and mission statements, it is essential to create a Task force for Planning, composed of specialists in the fields of political science, law and strategic planning.
The Pan-Armenian
organization may be constituted by the following councils:
4.1. Formation of a Pan-Armenian
National Assembly composed of representatives of the
4.2. Formation of a Pan-Armenian Executive Council composed of 24 to 30 members from the RoA and the Diaspora, to implement decisions taken by the Pan-Armenian National Assembly, through the following tasks forces:
4.2.1 Political
Composed of the political leadership in Diaspora and Representatives of the Government of the RoA and the Opposition parties.
4.2.2. Economic
Composed of independent economists, business associations, bankers and financial experts and State representatives of RoA.
4.2.3. Cultural
Composed of academicians, university researchers, intellectuals, scientists, artists and writers of RoA and Diaspora.
4.2.4. Communication
Composed of communication specialists, lobbyists and representatives of research institutes and media.
4.2.5. Legal and advocacy
Composed of jurists, lawyers and advocacy organizations.
4.3. Upon the recommendation of different Diaspora Communities, the Pan-Armenian National Assembly may appoint Local Councils, to implement decisions taken by the Assembly in coordination with the Pan-Armenian Executive Council.
4.4. The Pan-Armenian Executive Council shall be responsible for the strategic management of Armenia-Diaspora cooperation and shall define short-term, medium-term and long-term objectives to be achieved by sub-committees, in the order of priorities, and control their implementation, directly or through the Local Councils.
4.5. A comprehensive protocol shall govern all operations of the Pan-Armenian National Assembly, the Pan-Armenian Executive Council, Sub-committees, and Local Councils formed by Diaspora country representatives, defining rights and responsibilities, methodology of action and standard procedures to be followed in their vertical and horizontal communication.
4.6. The Pan-Armenian Higher Council may be formed by 7-11 prominent personalities from the RoA and Diaspora, who with their integrity, experience, knowledge, wisdom, and enjoying wide national and international relations, act as consulting highest authority, in pan-Armenian decision-making cases of utmost importance.
5. PROPOSED TOPICS FOR THE CONFERENCE AGENDA
The
following tentative list of topics may be on the agenda of different
specialized tasks forces of the Conference. Following their presentation, they
may be subjected to group discussion and through synthetic conclusions,
targeting their implementation in a comprehensive manner and in the order of
priorities.
Political and advocacy issues:
-
Evaluation
of the political residue of post-September 11 events on the international,
regional and local relationships of the
-
Evaluation
of the Armenian-Turkish Reconciliation Committee experience
-
Pre-conditions
for the achievement of normal relations with
-
The
current political state of the Artsakh conflict and the future prospects
-
Internal
and external constraints obstructing efforts towards the universal recognition
of the Armenian Genocide
-
The
historical, legal, social and economical context of double nationality issue
-
The
historical primacy of the Armenian Church within the context of abusive
interpretation of Human Rights
-
Consensus
between the Catholicosates of Etchmiadzin and Antelias to complement each other
in a coordinated manner
-
Prerequisites
for the solidarity of Armenian Communities in the Diaspora
Economic and Social issues:
-
Reconciling
free market economy with short term social welfare considerations
-
Free
market economy, business ethics and national values by agreement
-
Legal
security and actual credibility
-
Arbitration
laws and third party guarantees for investments and private properties
-
The
nature and quality of business communities in the Diaspora
-
Quantification
of Armenian wealth in the Diaspora
-
Necessary
conditions for a sustainable development of Tourism in
-
Business
laws and ethics
-
Planning
the collective future of the Diaspora communities through proper adjustments
according to the changing conditions
-
Creation
of credible motivation and tangible incentives to encourage Diaspora Armenian
families to return to
-
Within
each Diaspora community and between different Diaspora communities devise a
pragmatic system of social and economic solidarity based on win-win mentality
-
Revise
aging community organizational systems by redefining mutual rights and obligations
of community leadership and community members
-
Artsakh
repopulation project
Cultural and educational issues:
-
Create
a comprehensive system of thought for national affairs
-
Devise
appropriate Armenian educational programs for changing conditions in different
countries in the Diaspora aiming at the preservation of the cultural identity
of the growing generations
-
Adoption
of a unified Armenian grammar and orthography
-
Development
of spelling and grammar correction programs
-
Development
of translation programs to be incorporated in Internet sites
-
Transfer
of experience and skills between
6. CONCLUSIONS
Unless a national consensus is
reached about major national goals, and an agreement is reached about the
methodology to be followed, there is a high risk that details overwhelm the
main issues, and means continue to be considered as aims, leading to the
unavoidable slow but steady disintegration of Diaspora communities into
disparate rootless individuals, citizens of the world. The prerequisite for a
constructive dialogue is first and foremost, definition of our national goals
and objectives within the framework of a set of ethical values. Otherwise, as a
nation, we might continue to be lost in the labyrinth of a multitude of
simultaneous monologues, for an otherwise constricting period of time.
The proper management of the core
issues requires a permanent Pan-Armenian Organization, headed by a leadership,
composed of wise, impartial, unselfish, honest, discreet, open-minded, fair,
responsible and brave prominent personalities, animated by the vision of an
inspiring national purpose and the deep belief of their mission, to lead teams of
specialized and experienced brainpowers getting spiritual satisfaction in
serving the collective welfare of their communities and the Republic of
Armenia, modestly, away from sectarian considerations and with muted individual
ambitions, to plan the future of a nation aiming at its sustainable
development, its collective safety in his historical homeland and the happiness
of each and every Armenian individual, citizens of the world.
Architect
Meguerditch L. Bouldoukian