AGBU President Underscores Organization's Dedication to Homeland-Diaspora Symbiosis in Latest Visit to Armenia

Watch a Video Report of Berge Setrakian's meeting with Vehapar HERE (1:52)

On March 22, 2009, AGBU President Berge Setrakian arrived in Yerevan for discussions with Armenia's leaders on the challenges faced by the Armenian people and issues pertaining to homeland-diaspora relations, in light of new international, regional and Armenian community realities, as well as to follow up on, give new impetus to, and bring into focus the goals of AGBU's programs in the homeland.

In the course of this visit, Setrakian met with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, Serge Sargsian, President of the Republic of Armenia, Tigran Sargisian, Prime Minister of Armenia, Hovik Abrahamian, President of the National Assembly, Hranush Hakobyan, Minister of Diaspora, Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Spartak Seyranian, Minister of Education, accompanied by members of the AGBU Central Board of Directors, Vasken Yacoubian and Yervant Zorian, the Vice Chairman of the AGBU SCDC Haig Messerlian, and the directors of the AGBU Representative Office in Armenia.

At his March 23 meeting with the Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, Setrakian stressed the necessity of adopting a strategy that goes beyond traditional approaches and organizations, taking the new diasporan realities into consideration. A strategy based on a clear analysis of priorities that address the interests of young diasporan Armenians who are not involved or feel distanced from traditional Armenian community life. During the meeting, Minister Hakobyan expressed her satisfaction about the productive activities being carried out by AGBU in both the homeland and the diaspora. She also presented a brief overview of the ministry's programs for maintaining national identity and bringing Armenians together, along with programs adopted by the Armenian president and government to foster cooperation between Armenia and Armenian communities around the world.

Setrakian acknowledged the importance of the activities of the Diaspora Ministry, wherein the balanced merger of civil society and governmental approaches will inevitably lead to anticipated results. Special emphasis was placed on programs developed by AGBU in recent years that provide social and academic experiences to diasporan Armenian youth in Armenia, in light of the potential these programs have in raising awareness and cultivating a sense of national identity.

Following this meeting, Setrakian met with Spartak Seyranian, Armenia's Minister of Education and Science. During the meeting, issues of mutual interest were discussed, especially those pertaining to AGBU's educational programs, and particularly the soon-to-be-launched AGBU Virtual College. Through the application of the latest information technology, this new AGBU initiative creates opportunities for individuals scattered all over the world to access credit-bearing and in-depth information on topics of Armenian language, history, and culture.

The same day, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargisian received Setrakian and Vasken Yacoubian of the AGBU Central Board. Prime Minister Sargisian expressed thanks to AGBU and its leader personally, adding that he was satisfied with the course of the implementation of projects underway by AGBU. Setrakian stated that through its projects in the homeland, AGBU is engaged in the task of connecting members of the young diasporan Armenian generations to their national roots and inspiring them with the reality of the homeland. He expressed the conviction that while the impact of traditional organizations and their activities has weakened in the diaspora, and the new generation is distancing itself from Armenian life and gradually losing the language, Armenia remains the only strong foothold that can inspire and energize the youth and ignite in them an interest and pride in their identity and heritage.

On March 24, President Setrakian and Vasken Yacoubian were received by Hovik Abrahamian, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. The president of the National Assembly highly praised AGBU's activity in Armenia and welcomed the programs aimed at acquainting the youth with national traditions, culture and history, while strengthening their ties with the homeland. Setrakian underlined AGBU's commitment to continue its extensive programs in the homeland despite the international financial and economic crisis. He noted AGBU's vision of building a contemporary center in Yerevan for young Armenian specialists and intellectuals, endowed with all the necessary resources.

Later on, Setrakian and Yacoubian had a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and they discussed supporting Armenia's foreign policy, defending Armenian rights and assisting Armenian diplomatic missions abroad.

The same day, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, received Setrakian at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. During the meeting, Setrakian underscored the important role of the Armenian Church and clergy in the spiritual and national life of the Armenian people, pointing out the necessity of putting the priority of that role above other issues.

On March 25, the opening of the new building of the sports and cultural center took place in the Nubarashen district of Yerevan. In cooperation with the World Bank and Armenian Social Investment Fund, AGBU helped realize the Nubarashen Sports and Cultural Center by underwriting more than 55 percent of the overall cost. In response to journalists' questions, Setrakian expressed joy for the opening of such a building in the community founded by Boghos Nubar, which can be considered a payment of respect for the memory of AGBU's founder. Participating in the opening ceremony were President Setrakian, AGBU Central Board of Directors members Vasken Yacoubian and Yervant Zorian, World Bank Executive Director Rudolf Yan Trefers, Armenian Social Investment Fund Director Ashot Kirakosian, Nubarashen community leader Mher Hovhannisian, colleagues of the community administrative center, and prominent community figures.

The same day, Setrakian and other AGBU leaders attended an awards ceremony for the Yerevan finals of the Yerevan Republican Interscholastic Chess Olympiad. For the second year in a row, AGBU is sponsoring the interscholastic chess Olympiad, together with Armenia's Ministry of Education and Science and the Chess Academy of Armenia. The sponsorship of the interscholastic chess Olympiad is one of AGBU's newest youth programs and it is designed to generate interest in chess and identify future talents, through whom Armenia can maintain its standing as a frontrunner in international chess competitions.

In the evening of the same day, President of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sargsian received AGBU President Berge Setrakian. During their meeting, President Sargsian expressed high appreciation for AGBU's activity in Armenia and the diaspora for the benefit of the nation and preservation of the Armenian identity. He also hailed the organization's new programs in Armenia.

Setrakian, in turn, briefed the Armenian President on AGBU's upcoming programs. They spoke about preserving the diaspora's potential, rallying diasporan Armenians around national goals and maintaining the Armenian identity. During their meeting, Sargsian and Setrakian exchanged opinions about certain national issues of political significance.

On the evening of March 25, Berge Setrakian and the members of the Central Board of Directors had a meeting with the staff of the AGBU Armenian Virtual College (AVC), to assess the work being done in the various developmental aspects of the program. AVC has already launched a pilot version of their initiative which is open to the public for review and feedback at www.avc-agbu.org.