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HMF Hosts Round Table Discussion for `Economics and Social Democracy'
by Armenian Weekly
June 14, 2012
YEREVAN - On June 11, the Hrayr Maroukhian Foundation, with the support
of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, hosted a presentation and roundtable
discussion for `Economics and Social Democracy' at Ani Plaza Hotel.
This is the second volume of the series `Social Democracy Readers'
prepared by the Academy for Social Democracy (Bonn, Germany). The
first in the series, `Foundations of Social Democracy,'was translated
and published by the Hrayr Maroukhian Foundation in 2011. The
objective of the event was to encourage public debate about social
democratic ideas for governance and economic policy.
A scene from the round table discussion.
The event, moderated by ARF Bureau member David Lokyan began with
welcoming remarks by Maria Titizian, director of the Hrayr Maroukhian
Foundation and Michael Weichert, director of the
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's South Caucasus office. The first keynote
speech was presented by former German Minister of State, Christoph
Zopel, who discussed the foundations of social democracy and the
economic successes in Germany that have resulted from social
democratic policies. He noted the discrepancy in having 40 percent of
Armenia's population living in poverty, while a few oligarchs control
the country's wealth. Economist and former deputy of the Armenian
National Assembly, Ara Nranyan then presented a brief history of
Armenian economic policies, which transitioned from communism to
capitalism following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This led to
economic disparity and the rise of monopolies, leaving large segments
of the population vulnerable to market fluctuations, especially during
times of economic downturns. He discussed the book and the application
of social democracy in Armenian governance a viable alternative to
neoliberalism, which saw the privatization of state-owned enterprises
and deregulation of the market over the past twenty years.
Close to 100 people attended the event, including German and Armenian
politicians, economists and representatives of civil society. The
discussion that followed the presentations was centered on broader
application of the book's principles for Armenian voters, policy
makers and politicians. Participants discussed how social democratic
principles can be applied to areas beyond economic policy, such as in
environmental and foreign policies.
The Hrayr Maroukhian Foundation is a social democratic think tank in
the Republic of Armenia. Its focus and aim is to encourage public
debate and promote equality, freedom and democracy in Armenia and the
region. The Foundation produces academic research papers, linking them
to political decision-making and policy, organizes conferences and
round tables, publishes studies on social democracy and conducts
trainings for young political leaders.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
by Armenian Weekly
June 14, 2012
YEREVAN - On June 11, the Hrayr Maroukhian Foundation, with the support
of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, hosted a presentation and roundtable
discussion for `Economics and Social Democracy' at Ani Plaza Hotel.
This is the second volume of the series `Social Democracy Readers'
prepared by the Academy for Social Democracy (Bonn, Germany). The
first in the series, `Foundations of Social Democracy,'was translated
and published by the Hrayr Maroukhian Foundation in 2011. The
objective of the event was to encourage public debate about social
democratic ideas for governance and economic policy.
A scene from the round table discussion.
The event, moderated by ARF Bureau member David Lokyan began with
welcoming remarks by Maria Titizian, director of the Hrayr Maroukhian
Foundation and Michael Weichert, director of the
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's South Caucasus office. The first keynote
speech was presented by former German Minister of State, Christoph
Zopel, who discussed the foundations of social democracy and the
economic successes in Germany that have resulted from social
democratic policies. He noted the discrepancy in having 40 percent of
Armenia's population living in poverty, while a few oligarchs control
the country's wealth. Economist and former deputy of the Armenian
National Assembly, Ara Nranyan then presented a brief history of
Armenian economic policies, which transitioned from communism to
capitalism following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This led to
economic disparity and the rise of monopolies, leaving large segments
of the population vulnerable to market fluctuations, especially during
times of economic downturns. He discussed the book and the application
of social democracy in Armenian governance a viable alternative to
neoliberalism, which saw the privatization of state-owned enterprises
and deregulation of the market over the past twenty years.
Close to 100 people attended the event, including German and Armenian
politicians, economists and representatives of civil society. The
discussion that followed the presentations was centered on broader
application of the book's principles for Armenian voters, policy
makers and politicians. Participants discussed how social democratic
principles can be applied to areas beyond economic policy, such as in
environmental and foreign policies.
The Hrayr Maroukhian Foundation is a social democratic think tank in
the Republic of Armenia. Its focus and aim is to encourage public
debate and promote equality, freedom and democracy in Armenia and the
region. The Foundation produces academic research papers, linking them
to political decision-making and policy, organizes conferences and
round tables, publishes studies on social democracy and conducts
trainings for young political leaders.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress