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| September 18, Monday |
| 8:30-9:30 |
Arrival at the Karen Demirchian Complex |
| 9:30-13:00 |
First Plenary Session
- Opening Remarks
- National Anthem
- Official Blessing |
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Statements |
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- Robert Kocharian, President of the Republic of Armenia
- His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians
- His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia
- Arkady Ghoukassian, President of Nagorno Karabagh
- The Armenian Catholic Church
- The Armenian Evangelical Church
- Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
- Social Democratic Hunchakian Party
- Armenian Revolutionary Federation
- Armenian Democratic Liberal Party
- World Armenian Congress
- Armenian National Committee of America
- Armenian Assembly of America
- European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy
- Armenian General Benevolent Union
- Armenian Relief Society
- Tekeyan Cultural Association
- United Armenian Fund
- Birthright Foundation
- Zoryan Institute
- Armenia 2020 |
| 13:00-13:45 |
Wreath-laying at the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial |
| 13:45-15:00 |
Lunch break |
| 15:00-19:00 |
Rural Poverty Eradication Program
Opening Remarks
Andranik Margaryan, Prime Minister
- Presentation of the Rural Poverty Eradication Program
- Statements by Sponsors and Partners
- Discussion and debate
- Adoption of decisions |
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| September 19, Tuesday |
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Forum:
“New Answers to Old Questions: Armenians in the 21st century”/ First Session |
| 9:15-9:25 |
Opening Remarks
Tigran Torosyan, Chairman of the National Assembly |
| 9:25-12:00 |
Panel 1: Nation, state and identity in the 21st century
Looking at new approaches to understanding the elements of culture and identity, their application to diasporas, and to Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora. Understanding how other diasporahomeland relations have evolved, especially when the diaspora is older than the state, larger than the state, more diverse than the state. Can diaspora institutions and politics develop without the homeland, and can a homeland develop independently, unaided by its diaspora? How to match reciprocal perceptions, therefore expectations of each other? Is there / will there be an Armenian Diaspora outside of the traditional structures and institutions? The role of language, literature, arts, religion,history (including memories of genocide and involuntary migration) in defining citizenship and culture.
Moderator
Khachig Tololyan (Editor, Diaspora, a Journal of Transnational
Studies, US)
Speakers
- Chandrashekhar Bhat (Center for the Study of the Indian Diaspora, University of Hyderabad, India) The Challenges of Diaspora in the Globalizing World
- Tsypylma Darieva (Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany) Recruiting for the Nation: Homeland Politics and Returning Diaspora
- Khatchik DerGhoukassian (Universidad de San Andres Argentina) Challenges of Identity: a View from the Diaspora
- Gagik Harutyunian (President, Constitutional Court, Armenia) Challenges of Identity: a View from Armenia
Discussants
- Sima Aprahamian (Sociology-Anthropology and Simone de Beauvoir Institute, Montreal, Canada)
- Ashot Voskanian (Diplomat, Philosopher, Armenia)
- Artur Bakhtamian (Journalist, Armenia)
- Gagik Harutyunyan (Noravank Foundation, Armenia)
- Aida Avanessian (Attorney, Iran)
- Fr. Haroutioun Bezdikian (Mechitarist Congregation, Venice, Italy)
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| 12:00-13:30 |
Break |
| 13:30-16:00 |
Panel 2: The Mechanics of Diaspora-Homeland Relations:
A Two-Way Street
What direction can be given to future cultural and socio-economic relations between diaspora and homeland? What has been the efficiency of current contacts: remittances, investments, retirement, tourism, know-how? Are there different models of use of Diaspora sources that will increase the available capital and maximize their efficiency?
Moderator
Kevork Bardakjian (Director, Armenian Studies Program, University of Michigan, USA)
Speakers
- Harutyun Marutyan (Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, Armenian National Academy of Sciences) Armenia-Diaspora Relations from the Perspective of Social Transformations: Reciprocal Perceptions in Armenia and Diaspora.
- Gloria Totoricagüena (Center for Basque Studies, University of Nevada, Reno) Political Opportunities for Diasporas as Non-State Actors in Foreign Policy.
- Yevgeny Kuznetsov (Economist, World Bank, Washington DC.) Diaspora Bringing Networks and Know-How to the Homeland
- Razmik Panossian (Rights and Democracy, Montreal,Canada) Homeland-Diaspora Ideal Configuration. Can Mechanisms and Approaches be Created in the Future to Direct Cultural and Social Developments?
Discussants
- Khachik Sukiasyan (Businessman, Member of Parliament, Armenia)
- Manuk Hergnyan (Economist, Armenia)
- Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian (Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia/US)
- Zaven Khanjian (Businessman, US)
- Lev Freinkman (Senior Economist, World Bank, US)
- Aram Hamparian (Armenian National Committee of America) |
| 16:00-16:30 |
Break |
| 16:30-19:00 |
Panel 3: Repatriation and Territory of Common Identity
Studying emigration and repatriation in history, around the world. What is the Armenian experience and memory of emigration and repatriation? What is the capacity for repatriation today? Should the government take on an active role? Can or should today’s
emigration and repatriation trends be reversed?
Moderator
Eduard Melkonian, Historian, Slavonic University, Armenia
Speakers
- Armenuhi Stepanyan (Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, Armenian National Academy of Sciences) Lessons of Post-War Repatriation in Armenia.
- Sossie Kasbarian (School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK) The Myth and Reality of Return - Diaspora and Homeland
- Gevork Poghosyan (Director, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Armenian National Academy of Sciences) Emigration from Armenia: Causes, Consequences and Forecast.
- Avetik Chalabian (McKinsey Corp, Russia) New Migration, New Investments, New Diasporas
- Eduard Muratian (Judge, Armenia) Dual Citizenship: Perspectives, Prospects, Promises, Possibilities.
Discussants
- Ashot Baghdasaryan (Businessman, Member of Parliament, Armenia)
- Hagop Avedikian (Editor, Azg, Armenia/US)
- Bishop Yezras Nersisian (Primate, Moscow)
- Davit Muratyan (Writers’ Union, Armenia)
- Karlen Dallakyan (Institute of History, Armenian National Academy of Sciences) |
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| September 20, Wednesday |
| 9:15 - 11:45 |
Panel 4: A Look at Diaspora 2020
It is necessary to develop some scenarios of possible prospects for Armenian national treasures around the world, for the future of historic communities, for language and culture even in the largest communities, for the need and capacity for new and old institutions, around the world. What facts and analyses are prerequisites to future programming and policies? What will the Diaspora look like in 2020? How will each other’s perceptions of Armenia and Armenians have changed? What will today’s youth be doing as Armenians?
Moderator
Noubar Afeyan (Flagship Ventures, Armenia 2020, US)
Speakers
- Arman Jilavian (Publisher, Mediacrat Publishing, Russia)
- Levon Abrahamian (Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, Armenian National Academy of Sciences) Armenia and Armenians between East and West
- Bedros Terzian (Petrostrategies, France)
- Tom Samuelian (AUA, Armenia / US)
Discussants
- Andrew Mkrtchyan (Ameria, Armenia)
- Hrant Dink (Editor-in-Chief, Agos Weekly, Turkey)
- Edele Hovnanian (Founder, Birthright Armenia, US)
- Aram Abrahamian (Journalist, Armenia)
- Lara Setrakian (Journalist, USA)
- Alexis Govciyan (President, CCAF, France) |
| 11:45-12:00 |
Closing Speech
Vartan Oskanian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Armenia-Diaspora III Planning Commission |
| 12:00-12:30 |
Armenia-Diaspora III Closing Ceremony |
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