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Antelias: The Pan-Diaspora Conference in Antelias concludes its work

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  • Antelias: The Pan-Diaspora Conference in Antelias concludes its work

    PRESS RELEASE
    Catholicosate of Cilicia
    Communication and Information Department
    Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
    Fax: (04) 419724
    E- mail: [email protected]
    Web: http://www.cathcil.org/

    PO Box 70 317
    Antelias-Lebanon



    THE PAN-DIASPORA CONFERENCE IN ANTELIAS CONCLUDES ITS WORK


    ANTELIAS, LEBANON - Initiated by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and
    organized by the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia an International
    Conference on Armenian education was held in the Armenian Theological
    Seminary, in Bikfaya, Lebanon from 5-7 August 2004. The theme of the
    Conference was "The Armenian Education in the Diaspora". About one
    hundred people from different parts of the world, from communities
    living in different political, cultural and religious contexts came
    together to focus their attention on issues pertaining to the
    Armenian-Christian formation today in a new world setting.

    In his opening address His Holiness Aram I identified the concerns and
    challenges facing the Armenian Christian education in the context of
    pluralistic societies. He addressed a number of critical issues, and then
    posed two questions. What does it mean to be Armenian Christian? How should
    we form the Armenian Christian for tomorrow? His Holiness underscored the
    crucial importance of re-evaluating and renewing our educational
    methodologies, strategies and programs by making them more relevant and
    reliable. At the end of his address His Holiness proposed that Armenia and
    Diaspora together engage in a process of developing a Pan-Armenian
    educational policy with particular emphasis on the worldwide Armenian
    Diaspora.

    The agenda of the conference included the following topics: The actual state
    of education in different continents where Armenian communities live; the
    implications of globalization to education; the role of the church in
    Armenian Christian formation; the family as an important educational
    instrument; the impact of pluralistic societies on Armenian Education; the
    use and misuse of technology in education; the role of the textbooks and the
    extra curricula activities; human resources: formation and training; the
    contribution of the Saturday schools, Sunday schools and children's camps to
    education; the importance of new community schools for the Armenian
    communities established in the West.

    The conference addressed these and a number of related matters through
    papers, panel discussions and hearings. The active participation of young
    educators and women provided new perspectives and dynamism to the
    discussion. They challenged the traditional views and approaches and
    constantly reminded that in a new world context a renewed perception and
    vision of education are imperative. They echoed the challenge of His
    Holiness that in the present world of globalization and communication and in
    a context of new societies, our education must become more responsive and
    attractive.

    His Holiness personally attended all the sessions and at the end of each
    session he highlighted the emerging concerns and views.

    The conference, which was an unprecedented event in the contemporary
    Armenian history, summarized its findings in a declaration where a
    particular emphasis was laid on the importance of translating the
    Conference's reflection into action.

    In his closing remarks His Holiness Aram I identified three words which
    should occupy a central place in our educational work: "relevance, coherence
    and integrity". He said "We are living in different contexts. We must,
    therefore, develop different educational procedures and strategies. We are
    citizens of different countries, yet we are Armenians and part of the
    globalized world. We have our own convictions, values and norms, but we are
    living in a new environment. Hence, it is vitally important that we develop
    the kind of educational policy that provides integrity, relevance and
    coherence to our educational work, at the same time preserving our distinct
    Armenian Christian identity. This is a great challenge before us and we must
    take it seriously and responsibly", said His Holiness.


    ##

    View printable pictures here:

    http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Pictures7.htm
    http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Pictures8.htm
    http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Pictures9.htm

    ***********

    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.cathcil.org/ The Cilician Catholicosate, the
    administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
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