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CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS OF CENTERS FOR ARMENIAN STUDIES ABROAD

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  • CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS OF CENTERS FOR ARMENIAN STUDIES ABROAD

    CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS OF CENTERS FOR ARMENIAN STUDIES ABROAD

    http://www.noravank.am/eng/articles/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=12654
    07.04.2014

    Vahram Hovyan
    Expert, Centre for the Armenian Studies, Noravank Foundation

    Centers for Armenian Studies are structures that conduct scientific
    research and/or higher education activities related to Armenian
    language, history, culture, politics, as well as generally to Armenia
    and Armeniancy. There are approximately 70-80 such institutions
    outside Armenia.

    Centers for Armenian Studies are either separate institutions or
    divisions of broader institutions. Individual institutions usually
    belong to the Armenian diaspora. Examples of such structures are
    Zoryan Institute (USA), the Mekhitarist Order (Vienna, Venice), etc.

    Centers that are part of larger institutions can be divided in two
    categories according to their affiliation. One category would consist
    of those being part of larger Armenian structures. For example, the
    Department of Armenian Studies at Haigazian University in Beirut is one
    of such centers. The second category would include centers for Armenian
    Studies, which are not part of the Armenian structures. These are
    mostly departments/chairs of Armenian Studies at various universities
    (for example, the Institute of Armenian Studies at the University
    of Southern California, the Chair in Modern Armenian History and
    Literature at Boston University, the Program of Armenian Studies at
    Hebrew University of Jerusalem, etc.). These were established and act
    within various university departments. For instance, the Program of
    Armenian Studies at Hebrew University of Jerusalem is implemented in
    its Institute of Oriental Studies, the Center for Armenian Studies
    at State University of Nizhni Novgorod is within the Faculty of
    International Studies, and the one at Cairo University is part of
    the Faculty of Arts. Remarkably, the departments of Armenian Studies
    in foreign higher education institutions often start out as courses,
    and then develop over time to become serious centers.

    Establishment of centers for Armenian Studies abroad is often
    facilitated by the following circumstances:

    1. Interest toward Armenian studies in foreign countries1.

    2. Efforts of the Armenian diaspora aimed at preserving the Armenian
    identity in foreign countries.

    3. Efforts of Armenia aimed at preserving the Armenian identity in
    diaspora, developing Armenian studies abroad, and spreading Armenian
    culture and civilization around the world.

    Recent diplomatic contacts of the RoA and external communcation
    of Armenia's scientific/educational institutions have resulted in
    establishment of chairs of Armenian studies in higher education
    institutions abroad. For instance, during the meeting of rectors of
    Yerevan State University and Tehran University in October 2011, an
    agreement was reached to found a chair of Armenian studies at Tehran
    University2. After completing his mission in Armenia in September
    2010, A. Bozhko, Ukraine's former Ambassador Extraordinary and
    Plenipotentiary to Armenia and an expert in Armenian studies, promised
    to make efforts for establishing a chair of Armenian studies in Kiev
    University3. Another important example is the initiative to open a
    department of Armenian studies at the University of Connecticut within
    the framework of Armenian-American cooperation in higher education4.

    Thus, diplomatic relations of Armenia and inter-institutional
    cooperation between Armenian and foreign higher education institutions
    are presently crucial for increasing the number of centers for Armenian
    studies and spreading these studies around the world.

    The Role of Centers for Armenian Studies Abroad

    Centers for Armenian studies in foreign countries implement educational
    and research functions and have a certain role and significance in
    the life of Armeniancy. Among these roles the following four are
    worth mentioning:

    Firstly, through their operations they contribute to preserving
    Armeniancy in diaspora. Along with the churches, schools, press and
    other structures the centers of Armenian studies are institutions
    that consolidate Armenians in the communities abroad and bring
    knowledge pertinent to their national identity. Many young Armenians
    study at the departments of Armenian studies at various foreign
    universities, this way learning the Armenian language and getting to
    know about Armenian history, literature and culture. This reinforces
    national self-consciousness among the diaspora Armenians and helps
    preserve their Armenian roots. In the modern era of globalization the
    assimilation processes accelerate, so in diaspora "not only culture,
    but also science should contribute to preserving the national identity
    and traditions"5.

    Secondly, the centers for Armenian studies abroad are important
    for Armeniancy in terms of spreading the Armenian civilization in
    the world. These centers are, so to speak, agents for creating and
    spreading knowledge about Armenian language, culture, the Armenians and
    Armenia in foreign countries. Through their activities the foreigners
    learn about the values of Armenian civilization, as well as problems
    that Armenians and Armenia are concerned about, because not only
    Armenians, but also foreigners take classes at the departments for
    Armenian studies at foreign universities.

    Thirdly, it is the importance of developing the Armenian studies per
    se. With clear orientation towards the field, these centers make a
    considerable contribution to the development of the Armenian studies,
    whether intended or not. In this respect the role of Mekhitarist Order,
    the Department of Armenian Studies at Haigazian University in Beirut
    and other institutions is invaluable.

    Fourthly, in the current situation with information warfare it is
    critical to repel and counter the Turkish and Azeri encroachments
    against the Armenian history, culture and anything else. This
    relatively new direction is one of the most important tasks for the
    Armenian studies6.

    The Objectives of the Centers for Armenian Studies

    At present the centers for Armenian studies abroad face very serious
    problems and challenges, which not only create barriers to their
    normal work, but even threaten their very existence. The first serious
    challenge is represented by financial problems. Centers for Armenian
    studies abroad are financed mostly from Armenian sources, i.e.

    diaspora and Armenia. Neither diaspora, nor Armenia have unlimited
    resources, especially that diaspora also has to resolve scores of
    other issues that require considerable funds, such as financing
    the schools, cultural establishments, churches, press and lobbying
    activities. Hence, due to scarcity of funds some centers for Armenian
    studies abroad have even found themselves under a threat of closing
    down7.

    Another important challenge that centers for Armenian studies in
    foreign countries face is related to human resources. Quite often
    these center are unable to function properly due to the lack of
    necessary specialists and become idle, consequently facing a shutdown
    of operations.

    The lack of scientific/research and educational materials also
    represents a serious problem. Located far away from Armenia, centers
    for Armenian studies in foreign countries often encounter the issue
    of shortage in textbooks, necessary literature, documents, archived
    and other materials.

    Understandably, the financial problem is the main challenge,
    as the other ones often stem from it. The lack of funds makes it
    very difficult for the centers of Armenian studies to keep their
    specialists, attract new ones, procure necessary literature and
    materials.

    Cooperation Opportunities

    Obviously, without cooperation with Armenia it would be very hard
    for the centers for Armenian studies in foreign countries to increase
    effectiveness of their work. The structures in Armenia that cooperate
    with them are mostly government agencies (Ministry of Diaspora,
    Ministry of Education and Science, etc.) and scientific/educational
    institutions (Yerevan State University, the National Academy of
    Sciences, etc.).

    The Republic of Armenia with its scant means has been able to offer
    some financial assistance to the centers of Armenian studies abroad,
    to a possible extent. However, it is clear that resolving this issue is
    largely related to the economic development of Armenia with consequent
    increase of financing capabilities.

    Armenia's economic development is out of the scope of this article.

    Therefore, we shall briefly mention some other ways of collaboration.

    These include methodological support, provision of educational and
    research materials, cooperative research, joint conferences, etc.

    1 This is especially evident in countries with well-developed science
    that have interests related to Armenia and Armeniancy. These are
    leading countries in the world and our region, such as the USA,
    Russia, Turkey, Iran, Israel, etc. On such basis the centers for
    Armenian studies are typically set up as university departments.

    2 Ð' Ñ~CнивеÑ~@Ñ~AиÑ~BеÑ~Bе ТегеÑ~@ана
    оÑ~BкÑ~@оеÑ~BÑ~AÑ~O каÑ~DедÑ~@а аÑ~@меноведениÑ~O,
    http://www.yerkramas.org/2011/10/19/v-universitete-tegerana-otkroetsya-kafedra-armenovedeniya/

    3 Ð' Ð"оÑ~AÑ~CдаÑ~@Ñ~AÑ~Bвенном Ñ~CнивеÑ~@Ñ~AиÑ~BеÑ~Bе
    Ð~Zиева бÑ~CдеÑ~B оÑ~BкÑ~@Ñ~KÑ~Bа каÑ~DедÑ~@а
    аÑ~@меноведениÑ~O,http://www.panarmenian.net/rus/society/news/53666/

    4 УнивеÑ~@Ñ~AиÑ~BеÑ~B Ð~ZоннекÑ~BикÑ~CÑ~Bа
    оÑ~BкÑ~@оеÑ~B каÑ~DедÑ~@Ñ~C аÑ~@меноведениÑ~O,
    http://news.mail.ru/society/arc676658/

    5 Ð' Ð~]ижнем Ð~]овгоÑ~@оде оÑ~BкÑ~@Ñ~KÐ"Ñ~AÑ~O
    ЦенÑ~BÑ~@ аÑ~@меноведениÑ~O,
    http://mediagid.am/ru/news/v-nizhnem-novgorode-otkrilsya-centr-armenovedeniya-503054

    6 Õ~MÕ¸O~BÕ¾Õ¡O~@ÕµÕ¡Õ¶ Õ...., Õ~@Õ¡ÕµÕ¡Õ£Õ"Õ¿Õ¸O~BÕ©ÕµÕ¡Õ¶ Õ¡O~@Õ¤Õ"
    Õ¾Õ"Õ³Õ¡Õ¯Õ¨ Õ~@Õ¡ÕµÕ¡Õ½Õ¿Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸O~BÕ´ O~G Õ¦Õ¡O~@Õ£Õ¡O~AÕ´Õ¡Õ¶
    Õ°Õ"Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ­Õ¶Õ¤Õ"O~@Õ¶Õ¥O~@Õ¨, Õ~@Õ¡ÕµÕ¡Õ£Õ"Õ¿Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶
    Õ´Õ"Õ"Õ¡Õ¦Õ£Õ¡ÕµÕ"Õ¶ Õ¥O~@Õ¯O~@Õ¸O~@Õ¤ Õ°Õ¡Õ´Õ¡ÕªÕ¸Õ²Õ¸Õ¾.

    Â"Õ~@Õ¡ÕµÕ¡Õ£Õ"Õ¿Õ¸O~BÕ©ÕµÕ¸O~BÕ¶Õ¨ O~G Õ¡O~@Õ¤Õ"
    ÕªÕ¡Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ·O~@Õ"Õ¡Õ¶Õ" Õ´Õ¡O~@Õ¿Õ¡Õ°O~@Õ¡Õ¾Õ¥O~@Õ¶Õ¥O~@Õ¨Â"O~I
    Ô¼Õ"Õ¡Õ£Õ¸O~BÕ´Õ¡O~@ Õ¶Õ"Õ½Õ¿Õ" Õ¦Õ¥Õ¯Õ¸O~BO~AÕ¸O~BÕ´Õ¶Õ¥O~@,
    ÔµO~@., Õ~@Õ~@ Ô³Ô±Ô± Â"Ô³Õ"Õ¿Õ¸O~BÕ©ÕµÕ¸O~BÕ¶Â"
    Õ°O~@Õ¡Õ¿Õ¡O~@Õ¡Õ¯Õ¹Õ¸O~BÕ©ÕµÕ¸O~BÕ¶, 2013, Õ§Õ" 29O~I

    7 See for example, Ð'опÑ~@оÑ~A Ñ~AÑ~CÑ~IеÑ~AÑ~BвованиÑ~O
    оÑ~BдеÐ"а аÑ~@меноведениÑ~O геÑ~@манÑ~Aкого
    "Freie Universitat Berlin" никак не Ñ~CдаеÑ~BÑ~AÑ~O
    Ñ~@еÑ~HиÑ~BÑ~L,http://www.panarmenian.net/rus/details/44753/

    "Globus" analytical journal, #3, 2014

    Return ________________________________ Another materials of author

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    From: Baghdasarian
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