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PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/v04/doc/Arme nian.htm
ANTELIAS HOSTS A MEETING OF SCHOLARS AND INTELLECTUALS
On Wednesday 11 March 2009, at the Main Hall of "Cilicia" Museum of the
Catholicosate a significant number of scholars and intellectuals, met to
discuss the document prepared by the Ministry of Relations with the Diaspora
of the Government of Armenia. The event was placed under the auspices of His
Holiness Aram I.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian welcomed the participants and opened the session with
some introductory remarks. He first described diaspora communities outside
Armenia and the challenges they face in the modern world. He also addressed
challenges to Armenia and to its intellectuals. He then informed the
audience of the new Ministry for the Diaspora and the document entitled
"Envisioning the Armenian Diaspora" they had prepared, and invited the
panelist to analyze and comment. The two panelists Mr. Hagop Balian, Editor
of 'Pakin' Literary Journal and Mr. Aharon Shekherdemian, Editor in Chief
of 'Ararat' Daily Newspaper.
Hagop Balian analyzed the organization of the diaspora communities described
in the document, the concepts of citizenship and belonging, which in his
opinion did not match the plurality of models of Armenian Diaspora
existence.
Aharon Shekherdemian reflected on the section describing relations between
Armenia and the Diaspora. He found the proposed strategy of relations
complicated and unrealistic.
Following a public debate, there was a consensus that the Armenian Diaspora
is not a monolithic reality. The political and social systems of the
countries where Armenians lived conditioned the organization of Armenian
Diaspora communities, and their relations to the homeland. Moreover, exodus
of Armenians from Armenia was the major challenge today!
In his concluding remarks, His Holiness Aram I affirmed the importance of
closer and more organized collaboration between Armenia and Diaspora.
However, he concurred with the speakers that the document "Guidelines for
Armenia-Diaspora collaboration" prepared by the Ministry in Armenia had many
weaknesses and differences. It must reflect the concrete conditions of
Diaspora. He then went on to say that participating in nation building
should be the priority for all Armenians. Relations between Armenia and
Diaspora should be based on mutual respect, mutual responsibility and
accountability.
##
View the photos here:
http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/v04/doc/Pho tos/Photos362.htm#4
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/v04/doc/Arme nian.htm
ANTELIAS HOSTS A MEETING OF SCHOLARS AND INTELLECTUALS
On Wednesday 11 March 2009, at the Main Hall of "Cilicia" Museum of the
Catholicosate a significant number of scholars and intellectuals, met to
discuss the document prepared by the Ministry of Relations with the Diaspora
of the Government of Armenia. The event was placed under the auspices of His
Holiness Aram I.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian welcomed the participants and opened the session with
some introductory remarks. He first described diaspora communities outside
Armenia and the challenges they face in the modern world. He also addressed
challenges to Armenia and to its intellectuals. He then informed the
audience of the new Ministry for the Diaspora and the document entitled
"Envisioning the Armenian Diaspora" they had prepared, and invited the
panelist to analyze and comment. The two panelists Mr. Hagop Balian, Editor
of 'Pakin' Literary Journal and Mr. Aharon Shekherdemian, Editor in Chief
of 'Ararat' Daily Newspaper.
Hagop Balian analyzed the organization of the diaspora communities described
in the document, the concepts of citizenship and belonging, which in his
opinion did not match the plurality of models of Armenian Diaspora
existence.
Aharon Shekherdemian reflected on the section describing relations between
Armenia and the Diaspora. He found the proposed strategy of relations
complicated and unrealistic.
Following a public debate, there was a consensus that the Armenian Diaspora
is not a monolithic reality. The political and social systems of the
countries where Armenians lived conditioned the organization of Armenian
Diaspora communities, and their relations to the homeland. Moreover, exodus
of Armenians from Armenia was the major challenge today!
In his concluding remarks, His Holiness Aram I affirmed the importance of
closer and more organized collaboration between Armenia and Diaspora.
However, he concurred with the speakers that the document "Guidelines for
Armenia-Diaspora collaboration" prepared by the Ministry in Armenia had many
weaknesses and differences. It must reflect the concrete conditions of
Diaspora. He then went on to say that participating in nation building
should be the priority for all Armenians. Relations between Armenia and
Diaspora should be based on mutual respect, mutual responsibility and
accountability.
##
View the photos here:
http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/v04/doc/Pho tos/Photos362.htm#4
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.