Panel I: Changing Gender Roles in the Diaspora

Nancy Agabian will discuss the role of the family in Armenian women's self-definition, in both the diaspora and Armenia, through an examination of recent examples of contemporary Armenian women's writing. She'll present her work with the women's creative nonfiction writing project in Yerevan last summer, including a reading of some participants' work from their multi-lingual anthology Matnashoonch (Metis Press, 2007). What are Armenian women writers currently examining about their upbringing, life choices, and work? What role does family play in censoring or supporting Armenian women's expression? Agabian will also discuss her own experiences writing in her blog, her forthcoming memoir on her Armenian-American family, and her work with Shushan Avagyan and Lara Aharonian to write (An)daratsutian mej, (In the [Un]space) , a book written in three different languages from diasporan, repatriated and Armenian perspectives on Armenian women's identity.

Florence Avakian will address the theme from the standpoint of her experiences - both positive and negative - as a United Nations and free lance journalist. Based on these, she will offer some concluding suggestions.

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Panel II: What Would a Global Armenian Progressive Agenda Look Like?

Armineh Arakelian: Currently, progressives worldwide, and Armenian progressives particularly, are weak and vulnerable. In formulating a global Armenian progressive agenda (GAPA), we should be guided by the following:

The first prerequisite of a global progressive agenda is to make a critical, comprehensive diagnosis of global progressive movements and of Armenian progressives. We must also: take into account the absence of an international balance of power; consider the failure of developing a response to neo-liberalism; and be aware of the archaism and degradation of Armenian politics and elites, and the very low level of Armenians' political and civic culture. Nationalistic and sexist principles must be disavowed.

A GAPA's main concerns are: social justice; inclusion; human rights; the central role of the state and its regulatory role; equality of opportunity; social cohesion; fair redistribution of wealth; sustainable peace, security and development; and ecological and environmental sustainability.

Major principles include qualities such as: justice; equality; solidarity; common good; prosperity; and a participative bottom-up approach.

Taking the above prerequisites, concerns, and principles into account, this presentation will elucidate the strategies for a global Armenian progressive agenda and the specific goals that should be achieved.

Antranig Kasbarian: For at least several decades, most Armenian political groupings have remained immune to progressive ideas and practices. This applies, in different ways, to both homeland and diaspora situations.

Due to this immunity, Armenian issues have often been framed narrowly and conventionally, too often relying on concepts and terminologies of ruling establishments. In this way, Armenian political praxis often falls into weak positions often informed by outdated forms of nationalism or an ascendant neoliberalism.

In this context, mantras like "democracy," "prosperity," "stability," "the Armenian Cause," and others currently lack vibrancy and mobilizing force. To become fully activated, such concepts must relate more directly to material, day-to-day conditions, and to the genuine historical tasks of the day. Through this effort, we may develop a clearer sense of what kind of future we desire for Armenia and Armenians.

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Panel III: The ADL and the Armenian Genocide: Pursuing Common Goals Through Grassroots Activism

Sevag Arzoumanian and Laura Boghosian : For many years, the Anti-Defamation League, along with several other national Jewish organizations, has quietly lobbied for the Turkish government to prevent Congressional recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Last summer, Boston-area Armenians came together in a grassroots movement aimed at removing the ADL from communities where they sponsored tolerance programs.

Armenians forged a successful coalition with progressives, human rights advocates, and Jews, both progressive and mainstream, to advance this campaign. How was this done and what made it progressive? Who were the groups? What challenges were overcome and what obstacles remain? And where do we go from here? This talk will describe the history of this grassroots campaign and the prospects for building a progressive coalition, including with members of the Jewish community, to pursue common goals such as genocide recognition and prevention.

Joey Kurtzman will address how the Anti-Defamation League's campaign   to deny recognition of the Armenian Genocide compromises the very   concept of genocide, which the Jewish community has otherwise   struggled hard to strengthen.   He also plans to discuss how the Anti-   Defamation League's actions are a grave threat to the morale of the   next generation of American Jews.

Jack Nusan Porter : This talk will address Armenian-Jewish relations in the wake of the ADL-Abe Foxman conflict and its impact on those relations. Additionally, the influence of Israel and the Jewish community in this conflict, plus a view from Europe (Italy) on genocide, will be presented.

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Panel IV: Foreign Assistance to Armenia: Toward Prosperity or Dependency?

Levon Chorbajian: "Armenia: A Case of Extreme Auto-Neo-Liberalization".

Globalization and neo-liberalism are briefly defined. Links between foreign aid and broader economic and political agendas are examined. This is followed by a brief disucssion of Jamaica, a country that has come under intense, though not atypical, pressure from the international financial institutions (the IFI's: the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organiazation) largely controlled by the U.S. The impact on Jamaican investors, farmers and workers is examined. The Jamaican case is contrasted with the Armenian where neo-liberalism was carried out by the newly minted Armenian elite to such a degree that USAID argues that it has gone too far. Impacts on Armenian farmers and workers is examined.

Karen Hakobyan: Foreign Aid: A Means of Corruption?

Since its independence, Armenia has received international aid in many different sectors: social, economic, educational, and judicial. The United States alone has spent over 1.2 billion dollars since 1992; the United Nations and European countries and agencies have also provided funds. This aid has become an essential part of the country's development.

International donors, along with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, have assisted Armenia in its transition to a democracy and open-market economy, not only on the level of governance, but also through projects involving civil society and social service work. The Armenian diaspora has been deeply involved in some of these projects. A high level of corruption, however, has affected Armenia in all sectors, and has seriously disrupted the country's development, as well as hindered the effectiveness and efficiency of foreign aid institutions.

This presentation will analyze and provide a critical view of the outcomes and side effects of international aid during the past 15 years. Questions considered include: How much of the aid has corresponded with Armenia's needs? What are the missions, goals and achievements of these programs? Why is Armenia lagging in democracy despite the vast amount of aid? What obstacles are faced by those who deal with foreign aid in Armenia? What steps should be taken to make foreign aid more effective and efficient? What is the role of the Diaspora in the area of foreign aid?

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Panel V: Student Panel: New Work of an Activist Bent

Celina Agaian: Armenian Collective Identity: Only Umbrella Of Victimhood And Sorrow?

Deportations, loss of land, extermination: is this all Armenians are known for? Armenian identity in the United States, like most minority identities, is oftentimes marginalized and misunderstood by non-Armenians. An unprecedented turning point in Armenian history, the Genocide has produced an identity that depicts Armenians as a victimized and "backward-looking" people. In essence, the Genocide has come to be the primary cultural identifier by non-Armenians, who remain unaware of the true collective Armenian identity and culture. While the memory of the Genocide and its aftermath should not be negated, Armenians must not base their collective identity in victimhood and sorrow. By consciously (or subconsciously) portraying themselves as such, thousands of years of culture are ignored, and identity is construed from one dark chapter of the past. In this presentation, a more modern, cultural state-of-mind whereby the positive aspects of the culture, along with the negative facets of history, will be proposed.

Lori Janbazian: Cultural Genocide: Student/Youth Activism In The Canadian Armenian Diaspora

When Rafael Lemkin coined the word "genocide" in 1943, his definition included a cultural component that was later removed from the final draft of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Although the United Nations Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples uses the phrase "cultural genocide" in Article 7, it fails to define the concept clearly, and as a draft, is not considered legally binding. Thus, acts of cultural genocide have been committed throughout history and continue to occur, yet remain unpunished.

This presentation will discuss the concept of "cultural genocide" and its effect on the Armenian Diaspora in Canada, specifically with regard to the destruction by Azerbaijan of thousands of Armenian stone crosses, or khatchkars . In particular, it will examine the work done by students and youth organizations (the Armen Karo and A.R.F.Y.O.C) in Canada and show how student/youth involvement and activism can translate into effective political and social change.

Zohrab Sarkissian: Assimilation and Issues in Linguistic and Cultural Disintegration in Armenia and the Diaspora

Language and culture form the principal elements of identity, essential to the safeguarding of the continued perseverance and future existence of any ethnic group. Nations and their diasporas both strive to retain their identities which are threatened in this age of globalization. In the case of the Armenians, the process of assimilation and the concurrent linguistic and cultural disintegration are byproducts of the Armenian Genocide. This phenomenon is apparent in different stages and in all Armenian communities globally, including Armenia. This presentation will discuss the various issues surrounding language, culture, and identity.

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Panel VI: Unrest in Armenia: New Seeds of Democracy or Destabilizing Acts?

Armineh Arakelian: Armenia's recent unrest reflects the country's critical condition: a fragile, underdeveloped state with weak political-civil institutions and culture; alienated and powerless citizenry; widespread implementation of neo-liberal economic policies; wild privatization; unregulated market economy; decreasing state intervention; inequitable redistribution of national wealth; autocratic and clannish governance; and degenerated elites and authorities. Some consider these recent events as a liberation movement leading to the renewal of democracy, rule of law, eradication of corruption, and achievement of other positive reforms. Others believe them the result of manipulations by anti-patriotic forces that will destabilize and weaken Armenia and make concessions on national interests and Artsakh.

In fact, the unrest resulted from a power struggle between two factions of the same neo-liberal value system who do not wish to negotiate. Meanwhile, the majority of Armenian citizens are further alienated, disappointed, excluded and ignored.

By taking advantage of the people's massive dissatisfaction, Levon Ter Petrossian was able to generate a mass uprising against the government, which had been unable to resolve critical issues. The ruling forces responded by using force, violence and massive repression, which can produce only temporary submission, not legitimacy.

A new situation has been created in which the public has become aware of political and socio-economic issues. This new situation requires new approaches and policies to resolve the crises facing Armenia. Unless we can understand the present situation's root causes and include them in elaborating our common global progressive agenda, Armenia will remain a weak country, living in a permanent state of instability, violence, injustice and decline. It is imperative that a progressive value system be implemented to mobilize and lead Armenians towards a common future based on justice, equality, solidarity and prosperity that will be passed on to future generations.

John Hughes: As it wobbles like a toddler and weaves like a drunken teenager unsure of its footing but too sure of itself to ask for a stabilizing embrace, Armenia has never been more at a crossroads than now. The events of madness that followed February 19 and culminated on March 1 pulled back the veil on a people confused, disturbed, frustrated and full of anger-tinged hope. Death paid no dividends. Political might empowered by questionable ballot returns produced little more than oppression. Now what? Where does Armenia go from this? How can a nation heal itself so long as it keeps widening the wound of division?

Simon Maghakyan: When Armenia erupted in violence earlier this year, many were hesitant to believe reports of deaths and destruction. Few expected violence in a tiny republic that has been harshly affected by an ongoing economic blockade and a recent war with neighboring Azerbaijan.

But the assumption that Armenians are united given their collective experience of oppression was challenged on the streets of Yerevan. With cries for "Justice," Armenians in their homeland protested corruption and a perceived conspiracy by government officials, most of whom were from the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Diaspora Armenians, however, concerned with Armenia's image and national security, viewed the movement as being against Armenia's national interests.

This protest against institutionalized injustice in Armenia seems to be a medium for people to express outrage against unaccountable and unresponsive government. The opposition is the mean and not the end. Conversely, much of the outcry has been expressed in regional hatred, raising the question whether injustice can bring about justice. This talk will consider the relationship between institutions and society and which leads in transforming politics and traditions.

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Closing Plenary: Coalition Building Among Dispossessed Peoples
This panel looks at possible coalition-building strategies for dispossessed peoples -- including, but not limited to the Armenians.   It also looks at those issues that can unite or separate the Armenian Cause from other, similar movements.
Panelists: Tariq Ali, David Barsamian, Nubar Hovsepian

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