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PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
October 7, 2004
ANEC PARTICIPATES IN PAN-DIASPORA CONFERENCE AT THE CILICIAN SEE
by Gilda B. Kupelian
NEW YORK, NY-" Armenia and the Diaspora must mutually complement and
strengthen each other in all spheres of our life. Otherwise, our nation will
be doomed to polarization. Resting on our laurels will lead us to stagnation
if we do not transform it to vision and commitment to forge our future."
These were introductory remarks made by His Holiness Aram I, as he addressed
over one hundred educators in attendance at the "Armenian Education Today in
the Diaspora" conference organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia in
Antelias, Lebanon. Held in August, the conference aimed at redefining
Armenian Education vis-à-vis the new challenges and realities of the present
world.
Educators including curriculum designers, textbook authors, seasoned
principals and dedicated teachers from the Diaspora hailed from as far as
Australia, the United States, Canada, Armenia, Argentina, and for the first
time Turkey, truly representing all communities of the Diaspora.
The Pontifical message to approach the pan-Diaspora conference in "a
critical and holistic way" set the tone for the ensuing proceedings.
Evaluation of the current state of Armenian Education in the context of
pluralistic societies with diverse perspectives culminated in identifying
the emerging concerns and perspectives.
Initiated by His Holiness himself, the conference was considered a
steppingstone to developing a pan-Armenian policy on education. Vehapar
predicated that such a policy would have to critically review the present
educational methodologies, strategies and programs; take into consideration
the impact of globalization and aim to make education "more relevant and
credible". Attending all the sessions personally, His Holiness highlighted
the merging concerns and presented his views and recommendations.
The salient points of deliberations focused on the vision for the future,
the role of the church family in forming Armenian youth; ways to prepare new
cadres of educators; how to change Armenian formation from need to a daily
challenge; the proper use of technology; the issues of textbooks, children's
literature, pedagogical forums; the important role of the one-day school and
extra-curricular. Presentations were made at several sessions, and Gilda B.
Kupelian, Executive Director of ANEC made a power point presentation on the
latter topics.
Also in attendance at the conference were: Mrs. Hranoush Hagopian, President
of the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Armenian Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia; Mr. Levon Ananian, President of the Writers Union of Armenia;
Dr. Zaven Yegavian representing the Caloust Gulbenkian Foundation; and Mr.
Yervant Pamboukian representing the Cilician Catholicosate Central Board.
The visionary and goal-oriented conference qualified as a meeting of the
minds. It was further enriched by the experiential diversity it represented
and motivated by the spirit of cooperation it exuded.
The full text of His Holiness's opening message to the conference is on the
Prelacy's web page, www.armenianprelacy.org
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
October 7, 2004
ANEC PARTICIPATES IN PAN-DIASPORA CONFERENCE AT THE CILICIAN SEE
by Gilda B. Kupelian
NEW YORK, NY-" Armenia and the Diaspora must mutually complement and
strengthen each other in all spheres of our life. Otherwise, our nation will
be doomed to polarization. Resting on our laurels will lead us to stagnation
if we do not transform it to vision and commitment to forge our future."
These were introductory remarks made by His Holiness Aram I, as he addressed
over one hundred educators in attendance at the "Armenian Education Today in
the Diaspora" conference organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia in
Antelias, Lebanon. Held in August, the conference aimed at redefining
Armenian Education vis-à-vis the new challenges and realities of the present
world.
Educators including curriculum designers, textbook authors, seasoned
principals and dedicated teachers from the Diaspora hailed from as far as
Australia, the United States, Canada, Armenia, Argentina, and for the first
time Turkey, truly representing all communities of the Diaspora.
The Pontifical message to approach the pan-Diaspora conference in "a
critical and holistic way" set the tone for the ensuing proceedings.
Evaluation of the current state of Armenian Education in the context of
pluralistic societies with diverse perspectives culminated in identifying
the emerging concerns and perspectives.
Initiated by His Holiness himself, the conference was considered a
steppingstone to developing a pan-Armenian policy on education. Vehapar
predicated that such a policy would have to critically review the present
educational methodologies, strategies and programs; take into consideration
the impact of globalization and aim to make education "more relevant and
credible". Attending all the sessions personally, His Holiness highlighted
the merging concerns and presented his views and recommendations.
The salient points of deliberations focused on the vision for the future,
the role of the church family in forming Armenian youth; ways to prepare new
cadres of educators; how to change Armenian formation from need to a daily
challenge; the proper use of technology; the issues of textbooks, children's
literature, pedagogical forums; the important role of the one-day school and
extra-curricular. Presentations were made at several sessions, and Gilda B.
Kupelian, Executive Director of ANEC made a power point presentation on the
latter topics.
Also in attendance at the conference were: Mrs. Hranoush Hagopian, President
of the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Armenian Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia; Mr. Levon Ananian, President of the Writers Union of Armenia;
Dr. Zaven Yegavian representing the Caloust Gulbenkian Foundation; and Mr.
Yervant Pamboukian representing the Cilician Catholicosate Central Board.
The visionary and goal-oriented conference qualified as a meeting of the
minds. It was further enriched by the experiential diversity it represented
and motivated by the spirit of cooperation it exuded.
The full text of His Holiness's opening message to the conference is on the
Prelacy's web page, www.armenianprelacy.org