Third Armenia-Diaspora Conference
Today saw the first day of three of the Third Armenia-Diaspora Conference at the Hamalir, near the Dzidzernagapert Genocide Memorial. I must say, as per speculation, as per pessimistic, sceptical Armenianism, it lived up to being more show and talk, less action thus far, although it's probably too soon to come to such a conclusion.
Honestly, though, the opening ceremony was really cool. I mean, EVERYONE was there. Two Presidents, two Catholicoses, all the Ministers, noteworthy, money-rich and hoki-rich Armenians from all over... All under one roof! Hey, I was impressed with the security measures, with the general organised nature of the event. I thought it was being managed well. Of course, we started late (what else is new ?), but when everyone stood up when the Mer Hayrenik rang, and then we all prayed the Hayr Mer together, I couldn't help but well up just a teeny bit, houzvadz, proud. :-)
If there are people in town, I'd highly recommend coming over tomorrow and the day after; the speakers' list seems interesting, some more than others, doubtless, and there are a fair few informative and attractive stalls, featuring this organisation or that, doing work in Armenia which may be of interest to some of you. There are a good few food stalls, too. ;-)
All of this will culminate with the big military parade at the Hrabarag and concert on Thursday, the 21st, when we celebrate 15 years of re-re-re-re-re...-independence. See you there.
Honestly, though, the opening ceremony was really cool. I mean, EVERYONE was there. Two Presidents, two Catholicoses, all the Ministers, noteworthy, money-rich and hoki-rich Armenians from all over... All under one roof! Hey, I was impressed with the security measures, with the general organised nature of the event. I thought it was being managed well. Of course, we started late (what else is new ?), but when everyone stood up when the Mer Hayrenik rang, and then we all prayed the Hayr Mer together, I couldn't help but well up just a teeny bit, houzvadz, proud. :-)
If there are people in town, I'd highly recommend coming over tomorrow and the day after; the speakers' list seems interesting, some more than others, doubtless, and there are a fair few informative and attractive stalls, featuring this organisation or that, doing work in Armenia which may be of interest to some of you. There are a good few food stalls, too. ;-)
All of this will culminate with the big military parade at the Hrabarag and concert on Thursday, the 21st, when we celebrate 15 years of re-re-re-re-re...-independence. See you there.
posted by Nareg at 6:52 PM
11 Comments:
All Talk - No Mechanisms For Translating Enery Into Action.
In Turkish - Bosh Boghaz
does anyone know what time the parade will take place and if it'll be shown live on H1?
Haha! I like that term. "Bosh Boghaz" = "Empty Throat". Sort of like "Karaoke", which means "Empty Voice". :-)
The parade is at 11 a.m., but I'm not sure if they'll show it live. Hopefully so.
Yea it is shown on h1, not sure what time, think its 11pm Armenian time... To double check closer to time check
http://www.armtv.com
Also, I forgot to say. I've been watching it on H1, and it really does seem a massive amount of talk and no real dialogue...ie. putting up speaker after speaker is simply boring, you can see everyone is bored. Let the people talk, let those who have come all the way from wherever, have a say, let them put their ideaas forward, let them make decisions - and come to a concrete set by the end.
It just looks to me like a money raising action for this village program, which is fine as well - but at least allow for it to be a conference - not a yan after yan yes im inchyan speaking about the same thing that the last guy just spoke about..
Infact, the good speakers are the ones who speak less - the seats are almost empty!
Nevertheless, it's a great concept - I just hope that they can allow for more speech from the floor. Ie. submit a question/issue for open discussion. Mine would be - how can we discuss any of this when there are ridiculous obstacles like visa charges restricting Armenians from staying to do things , or why do we have to battle idiot police, and how can we be sure this money wont be eaten..anyway..:)
I'd like to hear what Mr. Anonymous has done in terms of investing the future of Armenia before labelling this meeting as "bosh boghaz"... yes, most meetings in that nature are more talk than action, but that's a good place to network... Also, it's worth mentioning that there is a business expo organized where companies will showcase their products and services... that's where the future of Armenia lies...
I tend to agree that it's all a publicity event to show that the two Armenian realities, i.e. the Diaspora and Armenia are really serious about tapping into the economic, human and creative potential that remains untapped.
This is the third of these events and other than being a "networking opportunity" what do we have to show for it.
The traditional ruling elites of both the diaspora and Armenia seem content to let "Busines as Usual" continue.
The first step towards the "Unity" everyone dreams of will never get off the ground unless mechanisms are set-up to allow individuals of both realities to understand and respect one another. This is totally absent for the majority of ordinary citizens in both Armenia and diaspora.
When I read the speeches of our so-called intellectuals and leaders their platitudes and rhetoric ring hollow.
Yes - Bosh Boghaz!!!!
Yes - Bosh Mdker!!!!
So yes, yes, lot's of "empty talk", so what do you want to be said exactly in order to be impressed? What CAN be said? What would you have said????
This is addressed to everyone...
elling shares of those privatised Utility companies ( gas, electricity, phone etc) to Diaspora rather than to country that wants to re-colonise Armenia. Another thing is to create Diaspora - Armenia consortiums for development of new industries and infrastructures, e.g. tourism, IT, Pharmaceuticals, chemicals etc. Armenia needs investment and for that every Armenian should be given the possibility to invest. Personally I would invest in bonds and shares of a project with some potential. A healthy greater level relationship, trust and involvement can be established only if the outcome can be predicted, measured, controlled, directly influenced and there is personal fulfilment and gain.
Donations are not enough for building a country as they are only temporary measures against some disasters. They are usually inefficient and vulnerable to misappropriations.
I have been in similar gatherings and environments and Armenians tend to put their ego ahead of the national unity and patria. What makes somebody a national level leader is making use of those traits.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know what needs to be said!!!
Instead of one big 2 day gab fest, we'd suggest that a number of fields of interest be selected, economics, environment, social services, health, etc AND THAT EXPERTS, PROFESSIONALS, AND INDIVIDUALS FROM BOTH THE DIASPORA AND ARMENIA WITH SOMETHING TO CONTRIBUTE TO EACV BE INVITED FOR A SIT-DOWN WORKING MEETING , WHERE LIKE MINDED PEOPLE CAN MEET THEIR COUNTERPARTS AND DISCUSS WHAT THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELD OF INTEREST.
HOW MUCH MONEY IS SPENT TO ORGANIZE THESE CONFERENCES???
tHERE SHOULD AT LEAST BE A PERMANENT ORGANIZING COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE THE WORK OF THE CONFERENCE after its finished.
Accountability, transparency, democracy and engaging the people, those are the catchwords that need to be put into practice.
Give the people hope, a sense of collective pride and some practical goals to strive for..
No matter what the critics say, such conferences are important. The nation needs to stay in touch with each other. What concerns me is that the contacts should extend beyond a conference. A pundit in a newspaper wondered whether there should be a Spyurki Nakhararutyun. I think that would be an excellent step - Armenia needs Spyurk for its support, and Spyurk needs Armenia to retain its identity.
And there should be a vision and strategy with Spyurk-Hayastan relations. I don't think it's something a conference can achieve. It is something a formal government body like the Khrhrdaran or the Nakhagah can do.
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