Robert Kocharian, President of the Republic of Armenia

Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians

Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia

Arkady Ghukasian, President of Nagorno Karabakh Republic

Nerses-Petros XIX, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Community

Rev. Vahan Tootikian, President, World Council of Armenian Evangelical Churches

Tiran Aginian, Chairman, Social Democratic Hunchakian Party Central Executive

Hrand Margarian, Representative, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau

Hagop Kassarjian, Chairman, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, Central Executive

Vahan Ter-Ghevondian, Executive Director, Hayastan Armenia Fund

Levon Kebabjian, Member, Armenian General Benevolent Union, Central Executive

Maro Minasian, Chairperson, Armenian Relief Society

Ara Abrahamian, President, Union of Russia’s Armenians

Peter Vosbikian, Chairman, Armenian Assembly of America Board of Directors

Ken Hachikian, Chairman, Armernian National Committee of America

Edmond Azadian, Vice-President, Tekeyan Cultural Assn.

Toros Sakerian, Secretary General, Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe

Hilda Choboyan, Chairperson, Armenian National Committee of Europe

5. Discussion and approval of agenda

National priorities and challenges as viewed by Armenia and Diaspora

Given modern geopolitical realities and conditions and ongoing dynamic change around us, our national priorities are in need of clarification. What are the common and primary issues, dangers and crises of Armenian identity and survival facing Armenia, Nagorno Karabagh and the Diaspora? How and through what means can Armenia and Diaspora determine priorities and how can they follow-through on the realization of those priorities? 

Moderators: Jivan Tabibian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia

Panelists:

Tigran Torosyan, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia (MS Word file in Armenian)
Anushavan Danielian, Prime Minister of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic
Garo Armenian, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, US
Fr. Levon Zekiyan, Academician, Italy
Vartan Gregorian, Executive Director of Carnegie Endowment, US
Lyudmila Harutyunian, A Future with Dignity Political Party, Armenia

Discussion

B. INFORMATION & MEDIA

Benefiting from the Potential of the Internet

The huge potential of the Internet can be useful to a small state with a far-flung Diaspora. The state can benefit from an Internet-based wide-reaching propaganda campaign, the promotion of culture and enhancement of cultural development, publishing more widely than the small Armenian market will bear, and networking for business and social reasons. How can Armenia and Diaspora maximally benefit from these opportunities?

Moderator: Tigran Naghdalian, President of the Council on National Television

Panelists:

Berj Ayvazian, Information Technologies, US
Hovhannes Avoyan, Vice President, Bryens, Ltd., Armenia
Grigor Vahanian, Information Technologies, Armenia (MS Word UNICODE file in Armenian)
Aram Hajian, Information Technologies, US/Armenia (MS Word file in English)
David Sandukhchian, Attorney, Armenia

Discussion

C. ECONOMIC & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

The Future of Armenia’s Economy 

Armenia’s economic growth has been determined by success stories in certain high-potential sectors. What is the situation of the economy today, and what lessons can be drawn from the experience of this decade? What are the economic sectors that can create the most jobs and the greatest output? What are their successes and problems? What joint Armenia-Diaspora structural assistance can be provided to these sectors to further promote them? What are the basic directions and purposes of reforms to be carried out in order to secure and reinforce stable growth?

Moderator: Tigran Davtian, Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Development

Panelists:

James Tufenkian, Businessman, U.S.A-Armenia
Tony Moroyan, Information Technologies, U.S.A.
Emil Grigorian, Chairman, Union of Jewellers, Armenia (MS Word UNICODE file in Armenian)
Tigran Sargsian, Chairman, Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia (MS Word file in English)
Michel Bazumian, Scientist (Economics), France

Discussion

D. EDUCATION, CULTURE, SCIENCE

The development of a national curriculum and the role of Armenian Studies

Although there are official educational curricula, we are still missing a pan-Armenian, coordinated, joint program for teaching Armenian language, history, and the understanding and interpretation of state and national values. What questions should be asked toward the development of national curricula? How will we decide how Armenian history should be taught? What are the problems (and potential solutions) facing the development of a common strategy, promotion of Armenian studies.

Moderator: Levon Mkrtchian, Minister of Education and Science

Panelists:

Galust Sahakian, MP, Majority Leader, Armenia (MS Word UNICODE file in Armenian)
Karapet Dakessian, Vice-Principal, Melkonian Educational Institute, Cyprus
Babken Harutunian, Dean of the Dept. of History, Yerevan State University, Armenia (MS Word file in Armenian)
Suren Danielian, Director, Spyur Academic Center, Armenia (MS Word UNICODE file in Armenian)
Marilou Papazian, Information Technologies & Education, US
Karine Harutiunian, Ministry of Education and Science, Armenia

Discussion 

Homeland-Diaspora relations: parallels and comparisons

Today’s Diaspora varies from community to community in its form, unique characteristics and complexities, due to each community’s history and developmental circumstances. The organizational level of each community varies too and that also creates different and specific problems. What are other homeland-Diaspora experiences? How do other Diasporas function and relate to their homelands, and how does the Armenian Diaspora compare? What is expected of homeland-Diaspora relations in general, and specifically in the Armenian case? 

Moderator: Jivan Tabibian

Panelists:

Ashot Galoyan, MP, Armenia
Hakob Asatrian, Journalist, Czech Republic (MS Word file in Armenian)
Nikolai Hovhannissian, Director, Institute of Oriental Studies, Armenia
Razmig Panossian, LSE, England
Alex Kovjian, French Armenian Assembly Chairman, France
Hrant Khachatrian, Constitutional Right Political Party, Armenia (MS Word file in Armenian)

Discussion

B. INFORMATION & MEDIA

Developing the Communication Tools Necessary to Understand Each Other

In order to better understand each other and to facilitate working together, Armenia and Diaspora need to develop certain tools and a common information field. The most critical among these are a common keyboard and common orthography, information about each other through internationally available television programming and more regularly accessible information about the Diaspora in Armenia. 

Moderator: Tigran Naghdalian

Panelists:

Armen Haghnazarian, 
Bagrat Sargsian, Director, Armenia TV, Armenia
Aghvan Vardanian, MP, Armenia
Hakob Balian, Jounalist, France
Kevork Bardakjian, Academician, US

Discussion

C. ECONOMIC & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Improving Armenia's Business and Investment Climate

What are the problems of entrepreneurs in Armenia and what are the solutions? What methods can be proposed for their resolution? Where does corruption fit among these problems? Is it possible through certain practical steps such as accountable governance, reforming government layers in order to minimize the dependence on bureaucratic intermediaries, civil service reform, strengthening the middle managers and diminishing the strength of the cash economy to improve existing conditions? Are there also issues of mentality and thinking that should be addressed? Although investments have increased in recent years, there is no huge inflow of capital investments, despite the opportunities that are available. What are the problems resulting from the absence of venture capital, entrepreneurial and service-oriented thinking, and a stable and developed banking system? What solutions are there? Are there legal, administrative obstacles and how can they be overcome? What role does mutual distrust play in these problems? What is the function and the role of the Armenian Development Agency?

Moderator: James Tufenkian 

Panelists:

Thomas Samuelian, Attorney, U.S.A.-Armenia
Jirair Avanian, Businessman, U.S.A.-Armenia
Norayr Melkumian, Businessman, U.K.-Armenia
Khachatur Sukiassian, Businessman, Armenia (MS Word file in Armenian)
Eduard Muradian, Chairman, Securities Exchange Commission, Armenia
Mkrtich Mkrtchian, Economist, Russian Federation (MS Word file in Armenian)

Discussion

D. EDUCATION, CULTURE, SCIENCE

Investing in college students

College students in Armenia, Nagorno Karabagh and the Diaspora need special attention in order to develop to their fullest and then serve the needs of Armenians worldwide. What is the situation of college students in Nagorno Karabagh? How can we establish national scholarship programs, which will select top Armenian students to study abroad, then return to Armenia to contribute their skills? How can we find ways of supporting the various needs of Armenian students abroad?

Moderator: Levon Mkrtchian

Panelists:

Vahram Barseghian, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth Issues and Sports, Armenia (MS Word UNICODE file in Armenian)
Hovhannes Manucharian, Information Technologies, U.S.A. (MS Word UNICODE file in Armenian)
Joyce Barsam, Lecturer, U.S.A.
Armen Ashotian, Chairman of the Students’ Council, Yerevan Medical university (MS Word UNICODE file in Armenian)

Discussion

Moderator: Harout Sassounian

Panelists:
Ruben Shugarian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia (English text here)
John Jamian, Executive Director, Armenian Assembly of America (MS Word file in English)
Andranik Mihranian, Scientist (Political Studies), Russian Federation 
Hagop Kassarjian, MP Lebanon
Yeghik Djerejian, MP Lebanon
Aram Hamparian, Executive Director, Armenian International Committee of America

Discussion

B. INFORMATION & MEDIA

Media: How they can more effectively serve Armenians’ national interests

In order to make Armenia’s and the Diaspora’s media more effective, Armenia needs better and more regular access to global information and the Diaspora needs better and more regular access to information about Armenia. How can Armenian media become truly free and independent? What are the necessary paradigm shifts and what kind of financing is necessary? How can information and the media reconcile narrow political interests and national interests?

Moderator: Tigran Naghadalian, President of the Armenian Public Radio-TV Council

Participants:
Giro Manoyan, Armenian Revolutionary Federation H.H. Dashnakstutiun, Canada-Armenia 
Viken Cheterian, Journalist, Switzerland-Armenia
Hagop Avetikian, Editor, Azg Daily, Armenia (MS Word UNICODE file in Armenian)
Robert Haddejian, Writer, Journalist, Editor, Turkey
Gagik Mkrtchian, Editor, Hayots Ashkarh Daily, Armenia (MS Word UNICODE file in Armenian)
Stephen Kurkjian, Journalist, US

Discussion

C. ECONOMIC & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Resolving social problems in order to guarantee stable development

A country’s stable development depends as much on social as economic development.

It is essential therefore to address the social needs of Armenia’s children, women’s issues, the situation of refugees, and the rights and defense of various socially vulnerable groups, especially those in socially difficult regions. How does the evolving role of humanitarian and philanthropic organizations (Armenian and non-Armenian) and the new problems and challenges that face them affect social welfare issues?

Moderator: Tigran Davtian

Panelists:
Hranush Hakobian, MO, Armenia
Susanna Hayrapetian, World Bank
Gagik Yeganian, Head, Government Department for Migration and Refugees, Armenia (MS Word UNICODE file in Armenian)
Sister Arusiak Sajonian, Order of the Immaculate Concepton
Armine Arakelian, Attorney, Armenia

Discussion

D. EDUCATION, CULTURE, SCIENCE

Cultural and scientific exchanges to develop mutual understanding, prospects for the preservation, dissemination of Armenian cultural values

Armenia’s and the Diaspora’s cultural, educational and scientific needs are many and require special attention. In order to meet those needs, how can we more effectively encourage exchanges between Armenia’s and Diaspora’s cultural, educational and scientific communities? Are teachers exchanges, scientists and artists exchanges workable? How do we exchange experiences on Genocide education? Can we make camps relevant and modern for today’s youth?

Moderator: Levon Mkrtchian

Panelists:
Zaven Sargsian, Director, Parajanov Musuem, Yerevan (MS Word file in Armenian)
Harutyun Karapetian, Chairman, Gitutian Foundation, Armenia (MS Word file In Armenian)
Armen Smbatian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia, Moscow (MS Word file in Armenian)
Aram Gharabekian, Director and Chief Conductor, Yerevan Chamber Orchestra U.S.A-Armenia
Mkrtich Mkrtchian, University Lecturer, Lebanon
Armen Hakhnazarian, Architecture, Armenia

Discussion

Moderator: Jivan Tabibian

Panelists:

Gagik Harutunian, Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia
Albert Ajemian, Armenian Revolutionary of Federation H.H. Dashnuktsutian
Eduard Melkonian, Scientist (Diaspora Studies), National Academy of Sciences, Armenia
Karen Mikayelian, Editor, Armianski Vestnik Magazine, Russian Federation
Kevork Bardakjian, Academician (Armenian Studies), US

Discussion

B. INFORMATION & MEDIA

Concluding Session: What specific projects can Armenia and Diaspora undertake together to more effectively utilize the potential of media and the internet?

Moderator: Tigran Naghdalian

C. ECONOMIC & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Concluding Session: What specific projects can Armenia and Diaspora undertake together to stimulate Armenia’s economic development and social welfare?

Moderator: Tigran Davtian

D. EDUCATION, CULTURE, SCIENCE

Concluding Session: What projects can Armenia and Diaspora undertake together to support and sustain educational, cultural and scientific activity?

Moderator: Levon Mkrtchian

1. Reports by moderators
2. Discussion
3. Remarks by invitation
4. Adoption of the declaration, decisions (if any) 
5. Concluding Remarks by President Kocharian