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AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, July 16, 2012
AGBU Young Professionals of Montreal Joins Forces with ANC
Professional Network to Tackle Assimilation Issues
Questions of assimilation have long dominated the public discourse
within the Armenian diaspora. At a recent May 3, 2012 panel discussion
co-hosted by the AGBU Young Professionals of Montreal (YP Montreal)
and the Armenian National Committee Professional Network (ANC PN), new
answers were considered by the very leaders who will help turn these
ideas into a reality. The event named, "What's Next: Assimilation?,"
prompted young professionals to strongly consider their roles and
responsibilities in the preservation of Armenian culture and
language. An emphasis was also placed on the importance of activism
among today's young generation to ensure public representation and
visibility of the Armenian diaspora community.
Part lecture and part interactive forum, the discussion was moderated
by Lalai Manjikian, a PhD candidate at McGill University, and featured
speakers Chahé Tanachian of the AGBU Alex Manoogian School and Apraham
Niziblian, former Government Affairs Director of the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA). Following their presentations, the
audience, who filled the seats of the AGBU Montreal Alex Manoogian
Center, raised important issues concerning the challenges now facing
the Armenian diaspora. The question and answer portion of the night
quickly turned into a constructive debate on ways young Armenian
professionals could work in solidarity to increase participation in
both the public and private sectors. YP Montreal Chair Sarine
Chitilian and ANC PN Chair Hrag Darakdjian were very satisfied with
the outcome of the event. Chitilian commented, "It was a pleasure to
watch and listen to the young audience members engage with each other,
and brainstorm how to become more active in the community. Many shared
personal anecdotes on the ways they have successfully assimilated: by
embracing the local culture while maintaining their Armenian identity
and heritage; stories that were inspiring to all."
Before opening the floor to the audience, Tanachian cited facts and
figures that set Armenian culture and history apart, notably that the
Armenian alphabet is one of only twenty-one alphabets in the
world. Turning to Armenians' contributions to the arts, he reminded
the audience that 2012 marks the 500 year anniversary of the Armenian
printing press. Niziblian then took the podium educating attendees on
the significant of peaceful activism and discussing how effective
advocacy has led to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by
several nations.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. The AGBU Young Professionals
(www.agbu.org/yp) is a growing network of groups and supporters around
the world who are committed to preserving and promoting the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs for young Armenians between the ages of 22 to 40. To learn
more about YP Montreal and its upcoming events, please email
[email protected].
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, July 16, 2012
AGBU Young Professionals of Montreal Joins Forces with ANC
Professional Network to Tackle Assimilation Issues
Questions of assimilation have long dominated the public discourse
within the Armenian diaspora. At a recent May 3, 2012 panel discussion
co-hosted by the AGBU Young Professionals of Montreal (YP Montreal)
and the Armenian National Committee Professional Network (ANC PN), new
answers were considered by the very leaders who will help turn these
ideas into a reality. The event named, "What's Next: Assimilation?,"
prompted young professionals to strongly consider their roles and
responsibilities in the preservation of Armenian culture and
language. An emphasis was also placed on the importance of activism
among today's young generation to ensure public representation and
visibility of the Armenian diaspora community.
Part lecture and part interactive forum, the discussion was moderated
by Lalai Manjikian, a PhD candidate at McGill University, and featured
speakers Chahé Tanachian of the AGBU Alex Manoogian School and Apraham
Niziblian, former Government Affairs Director of the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA). Following their presentations, the
audience, who filled the seats of the AGBU Montreal Alex Manoogian
Center, raised important issues concerning the challenges now facing
the Armenian diaspora. The question and answer portion of the night
quickly turned into a constructive debate on ways young Armenian
professionals could work in solidarity to increase participation in
both the public and private sectors. YP Montreal Chair Sarine
Chitilian and ANC PN Chair Hrag Darakdjian were very satisfied with
the outcome of the event. Chitilian commented, "It was a pleasure to
watch and listen to the young audience members engage with each other,
and brainstorm how to become more active in the community. Many shared
personal anecdotes on the ways they have successfully assimilated: by
embracing the local culture while maintaining their Armenian identity
and heritage; stories that were inspiring to all."
Before opening the floor to the audience, Tanachian cited facts and
figures that set Armenian culture and history apart, notably that the
Armenian alphabet is one of only twenty-one alphabets in the
world. Turning to Armenians' contributions to the arts, he reminded
the audience that 2012 marks the 500 year anniversary of the Armenian
printing press. Niziblian then took the podium educating attendees on
the significant of peaceful activism and discussing how effective
advocacy has led to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by
several nations.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. The AGBU Young Professionals
(www.agbu.org/yp) is a growing network of groups and supporters around
the world who are committed to preserving and promoting the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs for young Armenians between the ages of 22 to 40. To learn
more about YP Montreal and its upcoming events, please email
[email protected].