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ACNIS Looks at National Popular Calls and Political Demands in Armen

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  • ACNIS Looks at National Popular Calls and Political Demands in Armen

    PRESS RELEASE
    Armenian Center for National and International Studies
    75 Yerznkian Street
    Yerevan 0033, Armenia
    Tel: (+374 - 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
    Fax: (+374 - 10) 52.48.46
    Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
    Website: www.acnis.am


    May 5, 2011


    ACNIS Looks at National Popular Calls and Political Demands in Armenia


    Yerevan--In light of most recent domestic political and social
    developments in Armenia, the Armenian Center for National and
    International Studies (ACNIS) today held a roundtable discussion
    entitled `Armenia: Public Demands and Domestic Political Proposals.'
    The meeting brought together representatives from international
    organizations and the diplomatic community in Yerevan, leading
    analysts, policy specialists, and members of the press.

    Welcoming the audience with opening remarks, ACNIS Director of
    Research Manvel Sargsian said he looked forward to a lively and
    thorough discussion. `Our objective today is to make an attempt at
    understanding the extent in which the processes taking place in
    Armenia correspond to societal expectations and the logic of present
    debates,' Sargsian stated.

    The day's first speaker, historian and ethnographer Aghasi Tadevosyan,
    analyzed the key elements of the existing discussions among different
    social strata of Armenia, and pointed to the essence of post-Soviet
    stereotypes and challenges of independence. Tadevosyan examined the
    domains of benefits and interests which Armenia's oligarchic clan,
    small- and medium-size business owners, innovative-thinking young
    generation, the `faceless society,' and other groups represent. In his
    view, some of these groups do understand their individual gains but do
    not perceive the mechanisms for attaining these rewards, whereas other
    groups are capable of presenting their vision in a universal and
    organized manner. `The main challenge for the body politic is
    promoting the process of stratification, that is, the imperative of
    transitioning from a homogenous nationalistic culture to a stratified
    society,' Tadevosyan maintained.

    In his turn, Manvel Sargsian looked at the current political
    developments in Armenia. He underscored that for long years the
    country's political elite was `operating' in a local and unbound
    territory, and making the society's potential serve toward the
    resolution of this elite's problems. But in recent times, as per
    Sargsian, the Armenian society, just like in the Arab world, has begun
    to voice its ideals for the country's development and to pose demands
    upon the political forces, specifically the opposition. According to
    the speaker, as a result the argument in favor of forming a government
    through fair elections was emphasized. `The most regressive phenomenon
    which has `dropped anchor' amongst the opposition, and which is
    noticeable amid different opposition circles, is their accusing of one
    another of serving the authorities and carrying out their demands. And
    the most astonishing is the fact that the authoritarian perceptions
    for all types of occurrences have started to become paramount among
    the opposition,' ACNIS Director of Research argued, adding that the
    talk about the necessity for a third force is likewise an outcome of
    authoritarian attitudes.

    The presentations were followed by a series of questions and answers,
    and featured a lively exchange with the audience. The roundtable
    participants also included attorney Andreas Ghukasyan; vice president
    Arayik Sargsyan of the Geopolitical Academy; governance expert
    Harutiun Mesropyan; chairman Edward Antinyan of the Ramkavar Liberal
    Party of Armenia; chairwoman Arpine Galfayan of the Institute for
    Democracy and Human Rights; ACNIS analyst Edgar Vardanian; political
    scientist Artur Avtandilyan; and several others.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
    a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
    Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
    conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
    raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
    engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
    and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
    institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia's first
    Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has
    acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
    independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
    and international policy issues.

    For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
    27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
    or visit www.acnis.am




    From: A. Papazian
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