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>From Teghut to Mashtots Park: Armenian Youth Discuss New Wave of
Activism in Armenia
Activist Yeghia Nersesian makes presentation
LOS ANGELES - A leading figure in Armenia's environmental movement was
in Los Angeles on December 6th, 2012 speaking at a town hall event
about the looming ecological disaster facing Armenia and the rise of a
new generation of activists, committed to protecting and preserving
their homeland.
The event, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation, ARF `Shant'
Student Associatio), and the All-Armenian Student Association
(All-ASA) featured a discussion led by prominent activist Yeghia
Nersesian of the Save Teghut Movement.
`The government's support of the Teghut mining project is not only
destroying Armenian lives and villages, but also, by annihilating the
beautiful ecosystem, the leadership is working against their own goals
of increasing tourism,' explained Nersesian. `Through our
demonstrations and protests, we are not trying to create a revolution
in the country, but instead hope to spark a revolution within
ourselves, as a people and society.'
Nersesian illustrated the consequences of the Teghut mining initiative
and emphasized its negative impact on the country's ecology and health
of the population in the region. By highlighting the `Save Teghut'
movement along with efforts to save Mashtots Park, Nersesian drew a
connection between the rise of environmental activism among youth in
the country and its connection to increased activism and a larger
movement for democracy in Armenia.
`We believe it is our responsibility to raise awareness in our
community, about the ecological disaster unfolding in Armenia, and
more importantly, about the young men and women risking everything to
try and save our homeland from an irreversible environmental
meltdown,' said AYF Chairperson, Avedis Shanlian. `It is imperative
that we support and join these activists as they continue to struggle
for a better, more democratic Armenia.'
`Save Teghut' is an environmental movement that demands an immediate
stop to all mining operations by the Valex group at Teghut Forest.
Though much of the forests many thousands of acres have already been
destroyed, open-pit mining on the mountain has not yet begun. If Valex
is allowed to exploit the mine, the process will destroy the
surrounding eco-system and displace numerous villages in Armenia.
Following Nersesian's presentation, the audience led a discussion
highlighting the positive progression of Armenian civil society, while
condemning the Armenian government's lack of accountability to its
people and its broken commitment to upholding democratic principles.
`The fact that we are sitting here today and critically evaluating our
government and the state of country, proves that the 21st century can
give us the tools to make change in a different way; by recognizing
the power of social media and the power of the masses,' explained
Nersesian. `As citizens, we are responsible for protecting the
well-being of our homeland and we cannot wait for others to defend us
and our country in times of injustice.'
Nersesian concluded the event by emphasizing the importance of
activism in the face of injustice, whether it is in Armenia or in the
Diaspora.
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most
influential Armenian American youth organization in the United States,
working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural
awareness of Armenian-American youth.
http://asbarez.com/107292/from-teghut-to-mashtots-park-armenian-youth-discuss-new-wave-of-activism-in-armenia/
Activism in Armenia
Activist Yeghia Nersesian makes presentation
LOS ANGELES - A leading figure in Armenia's environmental movement was
in Los Angeles on December 6th, 2012 speaking at a town hall event
about the looming ecological disaster facing Armenia and the rise of a
new generation of activists, committed to protecting and preserving
their homeland.
The event, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation, ARF `Shant'
Student Associatio), and the All-Armenian Student Association
(All-ASA) featured a discussion led by prominent activist Yeghia
Nersesian of the Save Teghut Movement.
`The government's support of the Teghut mining project is not only
destroying Armenian lives and villages, but also, by annihilating the
beautiful ecosystem, the leadership is working against their own goals
of increasing tourism,' explained Nersesian. `Through our
demonstrations and protests, we are not trying to create a revolution
in the country, but instead hope to spark a revolution within
ourselves, as a people and society.'
Nersesian illustrated the consequences of the Teghut mining initiative
and emphasized its negative impact on the country's ecology and health
of the population in the region. By highlighting the `Save Teghut'
movement along with efforts to save Mashtots Park, Nersesian drew a
connection between the rise of environmental activism among youth in
the country and its connection to increased activism and a larger
movement for democracy in Armenia.
`We believe it is our responsibility to raise awareness in our
community, about the ecological disaster unfolding in Armenia, and
more importantly, about the young men and women risking everything to
try and save our homeland from an irreversible environmental
meltdown,' said AYF Chairperson, Avedis Shanlian. `It is imperative
that we support and join these activists as they continue to struggle
for a better, more democratic Armenia.'
`Save Teghut' is an environmental movement that demands an immediate
stop to all mining operations by the Valex group at Teghut Forest.
Though much of the forests many thousands of acres have already been
destroyed, open-pit mining on the mountain has not yet begun. If Valex
is allowed to exploit the mine, the process will destroy the
surrounding eco-system and displace numerous villages in Armenia.
Following Nersesian's presentation, the audience led a discussion
highlighting the positive progression of Armenian civil society, while
condemning the Armenian government's lack of accountability to its
people and its broken commitment to upholding democratic principles.
`The fact that we are sitting here today and critically evaluating our
government and the state of country, proves that the 21st century can
give us the tools to make change in a different way; by recognizing
the power of social media and the power of the masses,' explained
Nersesian. `As citizens, we are responsible for protecting the
well-being of our homeland and we cannot wait for others to defend us
and our country in times of injustice.'
Nersesian concluded the event by emphasizing the importance of
activism in the face of injustice, whether it is in Armenia or in the
Diaspora.
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most
influential Armenian American youth organization in the United States,
working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural
awareness of Armenian-American youth.
http://asbarez.com/107292/from-teghut-to-mashtots-park-armenian-youth-discuss-new-wave-of-activism-in-armenia/