AGBU Holds Inspiring Series of Events for its 89th General Assembly in New York

From October 27-29, the AGBU 89th General Assembly was held in New York and welcomed hundreds of AGBU leaders, delegates, members, donors and friends from Australia, Europe, North America, Russia and South America in celebration of the organization’s 110th anniversary. The theme of the meetings revolved around the concept of strengthening the global Armenian nation, honoring Armenians who bring pride to the Armenian community through their outstanding achievements, reinforcing the link between Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and the diaspora, and acting as one nation.

The series of events began on Thursday with a full day of meetings for AGBU delegates at the AGBU Central Office. Board members and staff gave an overview of AGBU activities, emphasizing the role of its various programs. Extensive communications, development and outreach meetings all focused on fostering closer relationships between AGBU chapters and districts around the world. The day ended with a delegate session for the AGBU Young Professionals (YP) leadership, giving them a platform to connect and collaborate, address similar challenges, enhance outreach activities, and cultivate new action items for the future.

The events continued on Friday at the Harold Pratt House, where the meetings centered around the theme of moving AGBU forward through empowerment. The morning began with a presentation by AGBU Central Board member Noubar Afeyan, who introduced the AGBU vision for the global Armenian: “AGBU can take three bold steps: it can realign its vision to address current realities; secure human capital, financial resources and strong partnerships to ensure a sustainable future for the global Armenian nation; and rebalance the AGBU platform to bolster it.”

During Friday’s meetings, AGBU Central Board member Arda Haratunian summarized the four strategic breakout sessions that were organized, during which various groups discussed AGBU’s four program pillars: culture and identity; education; humanitarian relief; and socio-economic development in Armenia. The small groups allowed participants to develop and exchange proposals that may help AGBU leadership shape programs and policies in the future. Seta Nazarian also discussed the importance of fundraising and the opportunities for connection that can be created by donating to AGBU.

The day ended with a panel discussion moderated by Lara Setrakian, the founder of News Deeply, on human rights in Armenia, organized in collaboration with Human Rights Watch. Panelists included Rachel Denber, deputy director of the Europe and Central Asia Division of Human Rights Watch; Giorgi Gogia, South Caucasus director of Human Rights Watch; Sheila Paylan, legal officer at the United Nations Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals; and Serj Tankian, singer, songwriter and activist. The expert panelists discussed topics ranging from the prevention of domestic violence, women’s rights, the assurance of basic health services, as well as securing social and economic justice in Armenia.

On Friday evening, AGBU delegates and friends along with members of the wider Armenian community of New York gathered at New York City Center for the sold-out debut of the musical spectacular HOKIS. Under the artistic direction of French Armenian producer Patrick Malakian, HOKIS showcased the talents of over 70 young dancers, musicians, acrobats and technology students from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin & AGBU Nork Children’s Center and the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies in Armenia.  

Invited to New York especially for the performance, the students represent some of the most cutting-edge talent in digital and performing arts in Armenia, pushing the limits of what is conventionally understood as Armenian art. “What the show is about is to say that we are one. It's not about the diaspora and Armenia; it's not about children from Armenia and children from the diaspora. HOKIS is about bringing people together from all over the world,” said Malakian.

On Saturday morning, the AGBU 89th General Assembly took place at the Harvard Club of New York. During the delegate session of the AGBU Central Board of Directors, Eric Esrailian and Armen Sarkissian were elected to the Central Board. Esrailian is the co-chief of the Division of Digestive Diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and is the Lincy Foundation Chair in Clinical Gastroenterology. Armen Sarkissian is the founding President of Eurasia House International in London and former Prime Minister of Armenia from 1996 to 1997.

During the formal session of the General Assembly, the AGBU Central Board reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Armenia, its unwavering support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and its gratitude to its many donors and members. President Setrakian followed in the AGBU tradition of addressing the AGBU membership with a speech that touched upon the historical triumphs of the organization over its 110 years and the strong, united future he envisions. He emphasized: “AGBU must engage in strategic alliances as a unifying entity; strengthen its volunteer network; reinforce collaboration with the Armenian Church; initiate relationships within the Armenian world and establish relationships with international multilateral institutions. To achieve all this, AGBU must rebalance its platform to support its overarching goals of both bolstering identity and creating prosperity for the global Armenian nation…Each and every one of us has to strive to be a global Armenian. This is how AGBU views each of you.”

The General Assembly came to a close with an address by His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, who asserted the inextricable link between AGBU and the Mother See and congratulated AGBU on its 110th anniversary. At the close of his speech, His Holiness Karekin II praised President Setrakian for his tremendous service and commitment to AGBU and to the Armenian nation by bestowing him with the Knight of Holy Etchmiadzin Medal. 

On Saturday evening, AGBU held its 110th Anniversary Gala at the renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall with over 500 guests from 24 countries. During the gala, AGBU recognized the achievements of five inspiring Armenians, beginning with George Avakian, one of the twentieth century’s greatest American record producers.

AGBU Central Board members Ani Manoukian and Sarkis Jebejian then recognized four inspiration individuals—designer Michael Aram, financier Nigol Koulajian, human rights lawyer Sheila Paylan, and singer and activist Serj Tankian—with awards from the AGBU Central Board for their tremendous professional accomplishments, elevating pride in being Armenian as well as the collective profile of the Armenian people as a nation.

The evening also paid surprise tribute to AGBU President Berge Setrakian, who was saluted for his tireless commitment to the organization. A lifelong active member of AGBU, Setrakian has served the organization in various leadership positions, first in Lebanon, and then in the United States, where he settled in 1976. In 1977, he was elected to the Central Board of Directors, the youngest to be elected, and served as secretary and vice president at various points until his election to the presidency in 2002.

“He is probably one of the most effective and objective and one of the strongest advocates and partners for the global Armenian nation: Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and the many diasporas that make up what we consider the diaspora, but we are really one entity. He has transformed the vision of AGBU to reflect the needs of that evolving global Armenian nation,” said AGBU Central Board member Arda Haratunian in one of the two tribute videos debuted during the gala celebration in which AGBU Central Board members reflected on Setrakian as a friend and as a leader.

The AGBU 89th General Assembly series of events reflected a consistent focus on the organization’s original mission of promoting Armenian heritage and supporting the Armenian people through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, while adeptly evolving as needed to pursue new strategic initiatives and partnerships to achieve that mission. The common thread has been perseverance and an unwavering spirit, remaining true to the core values established in 1906. As AGBU enters a new period, it will continue to lead the way forward.

For more information about the AGBU General Assembly and 110th Anniversary, please visit http://www.agbu.org or http://agbu.org/press-release/agbu-celebrates-110th-anniversary-gala-new-york.

To view the press release in Armenian, click here.