AGBU’s 86th Annual General Assembly in Buenos Aires Honors Eduardo Eurnekian, Sets Course for Upcoming Years

From October 11 through October 17, 2010, the General Assembly of AGBU took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The seven-day biennial gathering of the world's largest Armenian nonprofit organization included a gala event that honored Argentinean-Armenian entrepreneur Eduardo Eurnekian as "Man of the Year," the election of the AGBU Central Board, including new member Joseph Oughourlian, and the tribute to longtime AGBU Central Board member Arshavir Gundjian.

This year's Assembly focused on the extensive AGBU programs in Armenia; the formation of new diasporan Armenian communities around the world; the needs of expanding programs, particularly by Western chapters; the creation of a youth board to work under the jurisdiction of the Central Board of Directors; the steps needed to encourage the integration of youth among the organization's leadership ranks; and the expansion of professional staff to effectively conduct and manage AGBU's growing list of activities and initiatives.

Entrepreneur Eduardo Eurnekian Honored as "Man of the Year"

On Friday, October 15, AGBU hosted its 86th AGBU General Assembly gala at the Four Seasons Hotel in Buenos Aires, where they honored world-renowned Argentinean-Armenian entrepreneur Eduardo Eurnekian as "Man of the Year" for his continuing commitment to improving the infrastructure of Armenia.

During his speech at the event, AGBU President Berge Setrakian explained AGBU's initiative in honoring Eduardo Eurnekian, a native son of Argentina and the Armenian people, as an outstanding benefactor and philanthropist, who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of his cultural heritage and native country. Along with bestowing AGBU's distinguished "Man of the Year" title on Eurnekian and presenting him with the Boghos Nubar Award, Setrakian announced that the evening's honoree was being included in the Central Board of Directors as an Honorary Member.

Upon accepting the award and honorary title, Eurnekian praised AGBU for over a century of success. "The history of our time is a clear manifestation of the role that AGBU played in the construction of the Republic which we embrace today. As for myself, the recipient of this award and distinction, I must state that I have only done my everyday duty. Those who truly earned this aren't here today -- my parents. They instilled in us a profound love and respect for the new fatherland that sheltered them. They divided their roots, and even as they became firmly established in the new land, we learned to preserve and love the essence we inherited through our blood," he said.

The 86th General Assembly

The following day, on Saturday, October 15, AGBU's 86th General Assembly, led by President Berge Setrakian, took place in the Avedisian Hall of the Alex Manoogian Center in Buenos Aires. Approximately 200 delegates, members and supporters from over a dozen countries, including Armenia, Greece, Italy, Syria, Australia, France, England, the United States, Switzerland, Lebanon, Canada, Russia, Brazil and Uruguay, joined members of the AGBU Central Board to address the numerous accomplishments made by AGBU, along with the challenges it faced during the past two years amidst the prevailing global economic conditions.

"The strength of our leadership and the commitment of our members have been at the core of our past success. It is imperative that we sustain that energy, focus and commitment in order to be able to meet the challenges of our times," Setrakian said.

He noted that one of the most noticeable changes over past two years is the increasing ranks of AGBU Young Professionals, who have registered significant growth in European circles and were already making considerable contributions in Armenia and Karabakh through their activities. Welcoming the presence of a large number of young men and women at the General Assembly, Setrakian reaffirmed his conviction that the ongoing initiatives of the youth were naturally putting them in touch with their national identity. He also mentioned that a committee of youths had been named to work alongside the Central Board of Directors. "A major focus of our General Assembly this year will be harnessing the huge potential of our Young Professionals to the mission of AGBU, and facilitating their integration into the leadership ranks of our organization," he said. "Our young people must be encouraged to have greater participation in AGBU at all levels. They must receive the necessary support and have greater opportunities to serve within AGBU to ensure we have the best leadership in the generations to come."

Setrakian also honored and welcomed retiring and new members to the dynamic Central Board. He expressed his deep gratitude to retiring Central Board of Directors Vice President Arshavir Gundjian, who was elected to the Board in 1976 and has served with distinction over the years, and introduced Joseph Oughourlian, who was unanimously elected to join the Central Board of Directors as its newest member. Oughourlian is the Managing Partner, co-founder and CEO of Amber Capital Investment Management, a New York-based hedge fund.

In his address to the General Assembly, Oughourlian stressed the fact that he and his family have been longtime admirers of AGBU, and noted that his visit to Armenia, which was at the invitation of Berge and Vera Setrakian, had been a turning point in his life, giving him a new, more Armenian outlook. He underscored his admiration for the strong national spirit and accomplishments made by generations of Armenians over the past hundred years.

In the presentation of the organization's financials, treasurer Sam Simonian noted that since 1988 AGBU has allocated approximately $127 million to projects in Armenia and Karabakh.

Following a reading of the encyclical from His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, by Archbishop Mouradian, Ruben Kechichian, Chairman of the Buenos Aires Chapter and a member of the AGBU Central Board, was awarded the St. Nerses Shnorhali medal for his many years of devoted service to the organization and for playing a leading role within the community. The St. Nerses Shnorhali medal and catholicossal encyclical were also bestowed upon Bedros Piandarian for his thirty years of devoted service as director of the Accounting and Financial Department of the Central Board of Directors.

As the 86th General Assembly came to an end, President Setrakian expressed his appreciation for the conscientious job done by the local community and the many committees that coordinated efforts for the hundreds of visitors. "With the success of the 86th General Assembly, Buenos Aires has proven itself once again as a thriving center of the Armenian diaspora, and a natural home for AGBU," Setrakian said.