Western District of AGBU Honors Dr. Armen Sarkissian during Gala Banquet Dedicated to AGBU's 105th Anniversary

More than 500 AGBU members, supporters, government officials, and dignitaries gathered for a gala banquet dedicated to AGBU's 105th anniversary on November 12, 2011, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Special guests present included AGBU president Berge Setrakian, AGBU vice president Sinan Sinanian and his wife Angele, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles Grigor Hovhannissian and his wife Victoria, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, and AGBU benefactors Vatche and Tamar Manoukian from London. Also in attendance was the evening's keynote speaker and honoree Dr. Armen Sarkissian, former prime minister of the Republic of Armenia and AGBU benefactor, who was invited from London with his wife, Nune, for the occasion. The principal donors of the anniversary celebration, which was organized by the AGBU Western District Committee, were Mr. and Mrs. Vatche Manoukian, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Turpanjian, Mr. and Mrs. George Agazarian, Mr. and Mrs. Sinan Sinanian, EH National Bank, and the AGBU Western District Asbeds.

Following opening remarks by chairwoman of the Special Events Organizing Committee Hermine Janoyan, who paid tribute to members of both the Western District and the Special Events Organizing Committee for jointly planning the celebration, AGBU Western District chairman Haig Messerlian took over the podium. He stressed the importance of the Armenian identity and legacy, and its safeguarding and perpetuation through AGBU's educational, cultural, youth, and humanitarian programs. Messerlian also remarked on not just maintaining current worthwhile programs, but the importance of creating new ones, in order to meet the needs of the new generation and keep them connected to their roots.

Messerlian then invited AGBU President Berge Setrakian to address the audience. Mr. Setrakian provided an insightful overview of the focal issues facing the entire Armenian nation and its homeland. He outlined the framework of AGBU's national agenda by delineating the great potential and challenges of the new Armenian diaspora that has evolved from the traditional tight-knit Middle Eastern communities into the vast openness of North America, Europe and Russia. He also highlighted the newly developing, vibrant post-independence Armenian diasporan communities that are seeking good leadership and organizational guidance, and consequently the importance of adopting the technological advances in management strategies, communication and media, to address these needs. President Setrakian underscored the importance of strengthening Armenia and Holy Etchmiadzin for the diaspora, maintaining that a strong diaspora is conditioned solely on a strong homeland. Hence, the expanding involvement of AGBU in Armenia and its programs there are designed to provide experiences that place the new generation in touch with their homeland and inspire them. Setrakian also touched upon the disconcerting phenomenon of emigration from Armenia, pointing out that an equally and probably more alarming form of emigration was the alienation of youth in the diaspora from traditional community organizations and issues, which have lost touch with them and left them apathetic. He stressed the importance of reaching out to the youth and providing role models and quality programs that will cultivate pride in their identity and trigger their Armenian DNA so they will be moved to take interest in their legacy and reconcile it with their global identities. Following his remarks, Setrakian welcomed to the stage lifelong AGBU member Assadour Guzelian, a community activist and former teacher currently living in London, who energized the audience with his inspirational remarks on the organization's mission.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Armen Sarkissian, former prime minister of the Republic of Armenia, the first Armenian ambassador to England and European countries, scientist, businessman, and well-known AGBU benefactor. He is currently the president of Eurasia House International, which he founded in London. Highlighting the great accomplishment and vision of AGBU founding president Boghos Nubar, Dr. Sarkissian placed much importance on the 105-year-old past and experience of AGBU as a guide for the Armenian people in facing the challenges of the 21st century. He compared the AGBU founder and the emergence of the organization to Noah and his ark, drawing parallels between them. "My childhood dream was to bring Ararat back," said Sarkissian, stressing that the current century is destined to be the century of the homeland even though the Armenian people are scattered all over the world. "We shall grow stronger through unity, and that experience is the guarantee of AGBU's success over the decades," he said.

Dr. Sarkissian also noted the two sides of globalization - how a country's economic collapse can affect the economy of another country located thousands of miles away, though he expressed optimism regarding the future of the Armenian people. "Organized work is necessary in order for our people's potential to be realized. Trust must be secured in order for investments to be made in Armenia, and Armenian citizenship is of high importance for all Armenians," said Sarkissian.

On behalf of AGBU's Western District Committee, Haig Messerlian bestowed Dr. Sarkissian with a special award honoring and thanking him for his continued services to Armenia and the Armenian people. The AGBU Western District Committee wished to fete such a unique individual for his philanthropic endeavors, his outstanding leadership ability, and for becoming the defender of Armenia's national interests and its culture, one of AGBU's guiding principles. The committee recognized Dr. Armen Sarkissian as a great role model for all Armenians, young and old, in Armenia and throughout the diaspora.