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ABOUT THE SELF-ORGANIZATION PROBLEMS OF DIASPORA
29.12.2014
Vahram Hovyan
Expert, Centre for the Armenian Studies, Noravank Foundation
In self-organizing the Diaspora the organizational entities are of
vital importance, as they act as a live organism through which Diaspora
carries out its activities. In this respect, it appears important to
form a pan-national organization as an institution for self-organizing
the entire Diaspora, which would be unlike the community structures
that are institutions for self-organization of specific communities
in Diaspora.
In addition to Diaspora self-organization this is also critical in
terms of representing the entire diaspora in its relation with Armenia
(and others as well), overcoming the internal fragmentation (based
on political, confessional and other divisions), consolidating the
potential of Armeniancy, using that potential in the most coordinated
and effective manner, and developing the most efficient ways for
Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. Without a pan-national organization
no structure may claim to represent the entire Diaspora, and hence,
can have no legal or moral right to speak on behalf of the Diaspora
in relations with Armenia (or others). From the perspective of
overcoming the fragmentation, an all-Diaspora structure would help
turn the divisions into diversity, which combined with the spirit of
unity would become the basis of Diaspora's power and richness.
Existence of a pan-national organization does not mean ceasing
activities of the other structures (partisan, spiritual/religious,
charitable, etc.). In parallel to the activities of a pan-national
organization, these structures will continue their own activities,
thus creating robust competition between them, helping them develop
and strengthen their potential and hence, the potential of the whole
Diaspora. As for the issues of pan-national significance, all segments
of Diaspora will still demonstrate unity and cooperation through a
pan-diaspora structure.
The issue of creating a pan-national structure in Diaspora existed
among the Armenian public and political circles for almost a century,
since the creation of the Armenian Diaspora1. Already during the
World War II and the years of the First Republic of Armenia the
forcibly exiled Western Armenians organized conferences, which could
be viewed as a precursor of a Diaspora pan-national structure. In
these conferences various problems were discussed related to the
exiled Western Armenian population, from organizing aid for them to
ease their conditions to the problem of their repatriation.
Later, in 1920s the public and political circles of Diaspora discussed
the idea of merging the three traditional Armenian political parties
(ARF, ADL and SDHP) into a single pan-national organization of
the Diaspora. The idea of creating a Pan-Armenian Congress was also
circulated in Diaspora. However, these ideas were too general and had
no specific content, which along with the internal disagreements in
Diaspora created obstacles to their materialization.
The national revival of 1980s in Armenia, declaration of independence
in 1991, activities of the Diaspora structures in Armenia and
liberation of Artsakh opened new horizons for reaching even higher
levels and quality of Diaspora-Armenia relations. An objective was
set to widen and deepen the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. Under
such conditions the agenda must again include the issue of creating
a pan-diaspora organization that will represent the entire Diaspora
in its relations with the Homeland.
It should be noted that there have always been a number of structures
in Diaspora that could be conditionally called pan-national
organizations. These include the ARF, SDHP, ADL, the Armenian
Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical Churches, AGBU and others. They
have a key role in self-organization of Diaspora and building relations
between the Homeland and Diaspora. However, the mentioned structures
are pan-national to an extent in which their activities geographically
cover the wide circles of Armenians. Meanwhile, the space coverage
of activities is just one criterion to describe a pan-national
structure. There are also other characteristics that unfortunately,
are not attributable to the mentioned organizations.
These characteristics will be addressed hereafter.
There are two currently existing organizations, World Armenian Congress
and National Congress of Western Armenians, which nominally correspond
to the characteristics of a pan-national structure. In practice,
however, they still have a long way to go before becoming truly
pan-national or pan-Diaspora structures.
Hence, unfortunately it has to be noted that despite Diaspora exists
for a long time, the problem of pan-Diaspora structure has yet to
be resolved.
The principles of a Pan-National Structure
Creation and activities of a pan-national structure in Diaspora
need to be based on certain principles. We believe the fundamental
principles of a pan-Diaspora organization should be as follows:
1. RepresentativenessO~I This principle implies that all segments of
Diaspora must be represented in the activities of the pan-national
structure. Geographically this means participation of all Armenian
communities in the work of the pan-national structure.
Organizationally, this principle implies the widest possible
involvement of Diaspora organizations in its activities. At the very
least, it should involve the most prominent Diaspora organizations. In
confessional terms, the activities of the pan-national organization
should involve the three confessional segments of ArmeniancyO~I
the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical churches. From
the partisan perspective, all three traditional political parties of
Diaspora; Dashnak, Hunchak and Ramgavar must be involved the activities
of the pan-national structure.
2. Trans-partisanshipO~I It is well known that there is certain
competitiveness, if not struggle between the three Armenian traditional
parties of Diaspora: ARF, SDHP and ADL. This is manifested in
ideological differences, struggle to expand influence in Diaspora and
disputes around specific issues2. Competition is a positive thing
per se, if the parties are otherwise able to maintain the spirit
of national unity and act in unison when issues of all-national
significance are at stake. The pan-national structure could claim the
role of the best platform to act in a united manner for pan-national
issues.
3. Supra-confessionalismO~I What was said above regarding
the political parties, applies also to the Armenian Apostolic,
Catholic and Evangelical Churches. Emphasizing and advancing the
religious/Christian and national commonalities vs. the confessional
differences would provide some serious basis to establish religious
tolerance. As in case with the political parties, the pan-national
structure is the place where the national identity eclipses all sorts
of divergences, in this case religious/confessional differences, thus
becoming a foundation for cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic,
Catholic and Evangelical Churches.
Reviewing the principles of trans-partisanship and
supra-confessionalism, it can be stated that when dealing with
all-national problems, one should step out of sociopolitical
and religious/confessional ideologies. In other words, the
solution of pan-national problems requires the sociopolitical
and religious/confessional ideologies to be pushed to the
backburner or even ignored altogether, conceding the arena to the
national principle. It is not appropriate to call this phenomenon
supra-ideologism or deideologization, because nationalism is also an
ideology and the advocacy of the national principles is ideologism,
too.
4. Comprehensive scope of activitiesO~I This principle implies that
the activities of the pan-national structure should not be limited to
one or a few fields. Its activities must involve if not all, then at
least as many as possible directions of public life that are critical
for Armeniancy, including, but no limited to political, spiritual,
cultural, scientific, educational, charitable and other matters.
Certainly, the traditional Armenian political parties, as well as
the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical Churches carry
out activities through their subsidiary structures not only in
political and spiritual/religious dimensions, but also in scientific,
educational, charitable, cultural, sports and other fields, but this
is not sufficient to characterize their activities as comprehensive.
5. Geographical extensiveness of activities: This principle means that
the activities of the pan-national structure must encompass the entire
Diaspora, i.e. Armenian communities of all countries of the world.
Otherwise, the geographical limitation of the activities by one
country or region would disqualify it from being an all-national or
pan-Diaspora structure. In addition to a headquarters, the pan-national
structure should have branches around the world, so as to ensure
the geographical inclusiveness. This way the pan-national Diaspora
organization will have a network structure, spread everywhere in the
world where Armenian communities live.
6. Independence from global power centersO~I In order to be a truly
national structure and serve national interests, the pan-national
organization should be independent from any global superpower or
power center. This does not imply that it must not cooperate or be in
contact with the global superpowers. On the contrary, it may actually
cooperate with various countries, international organizations and
other political entities in order to achieve its objectives.
This is more about not being established by one or another global
superpower and/or its activities being directed by any of those
powers. Otherwise, there would be a danger of turning into an
instrument in hands of superpower and serving their interests (which
could be quite different from or even opposite to the interests of
Diaspora, Armenia and Armeniancy), and more importantly, this would
be fraught with dividing effects, because Armenians of Diaspora live
in various countries, including superpowers (the USA, Russia, EU)
and may have differing approaches with regard to geopolitical issues
and opposing geopolitical orientations.
In order to avoid influences of superpowers, it seems appropriate
that the pan-national structure of Diaspora should be established and
headquartered in some neutral country, such as Switzerland, although
even that per se would not guarantee the its independence.
Thus, based on the above described six principles, the creation of
a pan-national structure may occur in two possible manners. First,
the World Armenian Congress and National Congress of Western
Armenians, that presently have nominal claims for being pan-national
organizations, may adopt the mentioned principles as bases for their
activities and thus, become pan-Diaspora structures.
The second option is to establish a new organization, the activities
of which would be based on the mentioned six principles from the
very beginning. During the 5th Armenia-Diaspora Conference, President
Serzh Sargsyan voiced an idea to create such structure on the basis
of the State Commission on Coordination of the events dedicated to
the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. It was suggested that
in 2015 the mentioned Commission could be renamed as Pan-Armenian
Council and become a permanent platform for discussion of urgent
pan-Armenian issues.
Organizational Structure
The Diaspora pan-national entity's organizational structure would
include a president, board and executive body, which will constantly
and directly implement the managerial and other activities.
However, the supreme organizational body of the pan-national structure
would be its Assembly to be convened once in several years, which
is typical for large organizations. The primary objectives of the
Assembly would include determining the strategic goals and the means
to achieve those, summarizing and assessing the mid-term activities
(implemented in the period between the Assembly sessions), outlining
the further guidelines for mid-term activities (clarifying tactical
objectives and the ways to reach them; various programs, events, etc.),
electing a president, board and executive body for the organization.
Specialized committees dealing with areas critical for the public
life should have a unique and important role in the structure of the
pan-national organization, especially in its executive body. These
specialized political, economic, charitable, educational, cultural,
sports and other committees would have their members and chairpersons.
The committees must constantly follow the existing and emerging issues
and changes in their respective areas and offer practical solutions
for the problems and for achievement of the set objectives. Thanks to
the activities of these committees the president, board and executive
body of the pan-national structure would be:
â~@¢ always aware of the events occurring and situation in the areas
critical for Armeniancy,
â~@¢ able to timely and effectively respond to the challenges and
even preempt those,
â~@¢ capable of making the right and effective decisions, preparing
projects for solution of targeted problems, etc.
Consequently, the pan-national structure would become the "government"
of Diaspora, as many governance, representation, legal and other
functions would be characteristic to it. With existence of such
structure the following will ensue:
â~@¢ self-organization level of Diaspora would increase substantially,
â~@¢ Diaspora activities would be more targeted and effective,
â~@¢ the relations of Diaspora with Homeland and other countries and
organizations would become easier and clearer.
1Although since long ago, already starting from the 4th century
AD periodical forced migrations of Armenian populations led in
establishment of Armenian communities in various corners of the world,
however, the current dominant viewpoint in scientific circles is that
the Armenian Diaspora is a result of the Armenian Genocide. More
specifically, the emergence of Armenian Diaspora is attributed to
the Lausanne Agreement signed June 24, 1923, by which WWI winner
countries of Entente "buried" the Armenian Question and ruined the
hopes for repatriation of Western Armenians, who were deprived of
their homeland during the Genocide.
2For example, during the Soviet period there were disputes about
attitudes toward and standpoints on Armenia, the repatriation issue,
etc.
"Globus" analytical bulletin, No. 11-12, 2014
Return ________________________________ Another materials of author
THE ARMENIAN STUDIES IN MODERN IRAN[03.11.2014] NEW DEVELOPMENTS
AROUND THE ISSUE OF CHURCH PROPERTY RETURN IN TURKEY[02.10.2014] KESSAB
EVENTS: AN OUTLOOK FROM YEREVAN[19.05.2014] CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS OF
CENTERS FOR ARMENIAN STUDIES ABROAD[07.04.2014] THE ARMENIAN SCIENTIFIC
AND ANALYTICAL COMMUNITY IN RUSSIA[20.01.2014] ON THE MODERN CHALLENGES
THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN LEBANON FACES[19.09.2013] TRANSFORMATIONS
OF THE ARMENIAN DIASPORA: CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES[17.06.2013]
ON POLITICAL VIEW OF THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN SYRIA [06.05.2013]
ISSUE OF RETURNING CHURCH PROPERTIES IN TURKEY[07.02.2013] THE ARMENIAN
EVANGELICAL COMMUNITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST[24.10.2012]
http://www.noravank.am/eng/articles/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=13098
29.12.2014
Vahram Hovyan
Expert, Centre for the Armenian Studies, Noravank Foundation
In self-organizing the Diaspora the organizational entities are of
vital importance, as they act as a live organism through which Diaspora
carries out its activities. In this respect, it appears important to
form a pan-national organization as an institution for self-organizing
the entire Diaspora, which would be unlike the community structures
that are institutions for self-organization of specific communities
in Diaspora.
In addition to Diaspora self-organization this is also critical in
terms of representing the entire diaspora in its relation with Armenia
(and others as well), overcoming the internal fragmentation (based
on political, confessional and other divisions), consolidating the
potential of Armeniancy, using that potential in the most coordinated
and effective manner, and developing the most efficient ways for
Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. Without a pan-national organization
no structure may claim to represent the entire Diaspora, and hence,
can have no legal or moral right to speak on behalf of the Diaspora
in relations with Armenia (or others). From the perspective of
overcoming the fragmentation, an all-Diaspora structure would help
turn the divisions into diversity, which combined with the spirit of
unity would become the basis of Diaspora's power and richness.
Existence of a pan-national organization does not mean ceasing
activities of the other structures (partisan, spiritual/religious,
charitable, etc.). In parallel to the activities of a pan-national
organization, these structures will continue their own activities,
thus creating robust competition between them, helping them develop
and strengthen their potential and hence, the potential of the whole
Diaspora. As for the issues of pan-national significance, all segments
of Diaspora will still demonstrate unity and cooperation through a
pan-diaspora structure.
The issue of creating a pan-national structure in Diaspora existed
among the Armenian public and political circles for almost a century,
since the creation of the Armenian Diaspora1. Already during the
World War II and the years of the First Republic of Armenia the
forcibly exiled Western Armenians organized conferences, which could
be viewed as a precursor of a Diaspora pan-national structure. In
these conferences various problems were discussed related to the
exiled Western Armenian population, from organizing aid for them to
ease their conditions to the problem of their repatriation.
Later, in 1920s the public and political circles of Diaspora discussed
the idea of merging the three traditional Armenian political parties
(ARF, ADL and SDHP) into a single pan-national organization of
the Diaspora. The idea of creating a Pan-Armenian Congress was also
circulated in Diaspora. However, these ideas were too general and had
no specific content, which along with the internal disagreements in
Diaspora created obstacles to their materialization.
The national revival of 1980s in Armenia, declaration of independence
in 1991, activities of the Diaspora structures in Armenia and
liberation of Artsakh opened new horizons for reaching even higher
levels and quality of Diaspora-Armenia relations. An objective was
set to widen and deepen the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. Under
such conditions the agenda must again include the issue of creating
a pan-diaspora organization that will represent the entire Diaspora
in its relations with the Homeland.
It should be noted that there have always been a number of structures
in Diaspora that could be conditionally called pan-national
organizations. These include the ARF, SDHP, ADL, the Armenian
Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical Churches, AGBU and others. They
have a key role in self-organization of Diaspora and building relations
between the Homeland and Diaspora. However, the mentioned structures
are pan-national to an extent in which their activities geographically
cover the wide circles of Armenians. Meanwhile, the space coverage
of activities is just one criterion to describe a pan-national
structure. There are also other characteristics that unfortunately,
are not attributable to the mentioned organizations.
These characteristics will be addressed hereafter.
There are two currently existing organizations, World Armenian Congress
and National Congress of Western Armenians, which nominally correspond
to the characteristics of a pan-national structure. In practice,
however, they still have a long way to go before becoming truly
pan-national or pan-Diaspora structures.
Hence, unfortunately it has to be noted that despite Diaspora exists
for a long time, the problem of pan-Diaspora structure has yet to
be resolved.
The principles of a Pan-National Structure
Creation and activities of a pan-national structure in Diaspora
need to be based on certain principles. We believe the fundamental
principles of a pan-Diaspora organization should be as follows:
1. RepresentativenessO~I This principle implies that all segments of
Diaspora must be represented in the activities of the pan-national
structure. Geographically this means participation of all Armenian
communities in the work of the pan-national structure.
Organizationally, this principle implies the widest possible
involvement of Diaspora organizations in its activities. At the very
least, it should involve the most prominent Diaspora organizations. In
confessional terms, the activities of the pan-national organization
should involve the three confessional segments of ArmeniancyO~I
the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical churches. From
the partisan perspective, all three traditional political parties of
Diaspora; Dashnak, Hunchak and Ramgavar must be involved the activities
of the pan-national structure.
2. Trans-partisanshipO~I It is well known that there is certain
competitiveness, if not struggle between the three Armenian traditional
parties of Diaspora: ARF, SDHP and ADL. This is manifested in
ideological differences, struggle to expand influence in Diaspora and
disputes around specific issues2. Competition is a positive thing
per se, if the parties are otherwise able to maintain the spirit
of national unity and act in unison when issues of all-national
significance are at stake. The pan-national structure could claim the
role of the best platform to act in a united manner for pan-national
issues.
3. Supra-confessionalismO~I What was said above regarding
the political parties, applies also to the Armenian Apostolic,
Catholic and Evangelical Churches. Emphasizing and advancing the
religious/Christian and national commonalities vs. the confessional
differences would provide some serious basis to establish religious
tolerance. As in case with the political parties, the pan-national
structure is the place where the national identity eclipses all sorts
of divergences, in this case religious/confessional differences, thus
becoming a foundation for cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic,
Catholic and Evangelical Churches.
Reviewing the principles of trans-partisanship and
supra-confessionalism, it can be stated that when dealing with
all-national problems, one should step out of sociopolitical
and religious/confessional ideologies. In other words, the
solution of pan-national problems requires the sociopolitical
and religious/confessional ideologies to be pushed to the
backburner or even ignored altogether, conceding the arena to the
national principle. It is not appropriate to call this phenomenon
supra-ideologism or deideologization, because nationalism is also an
ideology and the advocacy of the national principles is ideologism,
too.
4. Comprehensive scope of activitiesO~I This principle implies that
the activities of the pan-national structure should not be limited to
one or a few fields. Its activities must involve if not all, then at
least as many as possible directions of public life that are critical
for Armeniancy, including, but no limited to political, spiritual,
cultural, scientific, educational, charitable and other matters.
Certainly, the traditional Armenian political parties, as well as
the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical Churches carry
out activities through their subsidiary structures not only in
political and spiritual/religious dimensions, but also in scientific,
educational, charitable, cultural, sports and other fields, but this
is not sufficient to characterize their activities as comprehensive.
5. Geographical extensiveness of activities: This principle means that
the activities of the pan-national structure must encompass the entire
Diaspora, i.e. Armenian communities of all countries of the world.
Otherwise, the geographical limitation of the activities by one
country or region would disqualify it from being an all-national or
pan-Diaspora structure. In addition to a headquarters, the pan-national
structure should have branches around the world, so as to ensure
the geographical inclusiveness. This way the pan-national Diaspora
organization will have a network structure, spread everywhere in the
world where Armenian communities live.
6. Independence from global power centersO~I In order to be a truly
national structure and serve national interests, the pan-national
organization should be independent from any global superpower or
power center. This does not imply that it must not cooperate or be in
contact with the global superpowers. On the contrary, it may actually
cooperate with various countries, international organizations and
other political entities in order to achieve its objectives.
This is more about not being established by one or another global
superpower and/or its activities being directed by any of those
powers. Otherwise, there would be a danger of turning into an
instrument in hands of superpower and serving their interests (which
could be quite different from or even opposite to the interests of
Diaspora, Armenia and Armeniancy), and more importantly, this would
be fraught with dividing effects, because Armenians of Diaspora live
in various countries, including superpowers (the USA, Russia, EU)
and may have differing approaches with regard to geopolitical issues
and opposing geopolitical orientations.
In order to avoid influences of superpowers, it seems appropriate
that the pan-national structure of Diaspora should be established and
headquartered in some neutral country, such as Switzerland, although
even that per se would not guarantee the its independence.
Thus, based on the above described six principles, the creation of
a pan-national structure may occur in two possible manners. First,
the World Armenian Congress and National Congress of Western
Armenians, that presently have nominal claims for being pan-national
organizations, may adopt the mentioned principles as bases for their
activities and thus, become pan-Diaspora structures.
The second option is to establish a new organization, the activities
of which would be based on the mentioned six principles from the
very beginning. During the 5th Armenia-Diaspora Conference, President
Serzh Sargsyan voiced an idea to create such structure on the basis
of the State Commission on Coordination of the events dedicated to
the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. It was suggested that
in 2015 the mentioned Commission could be renamed as Pan-Armenian
Council and become a permanent platform for discussion of urgent
pan-Armenian issues.
Organizational Structure
The Diaspora pan-national entity's organizational structure would
include a president, board and executive body, which will constantly
and directly implement the managerial and other activities.
However, the supreme organizational body of the pan-national structure
would be its Assembly to be convened once in several years, which
is typical for large organizations. The primary objectives of the
Assembly would include determining the strategic goals and the means
to achieve those, summarizing and assessing the mid-term activities
(implemented in the period between the Assembly sessions), outlining
the further guidelines for mid-term activities (clarifying tactical
objectives and the ways to reach them; various programs, events, etc.),
electing a president, board and executive body for the organization.
Specialized committees dealing with areas critical for the public
life should have a unique and important role in the structure of the
pan-national organization, especially in its executive body. These
specialized political, economic, charitable, educational, cultural,
sports and other committees would have their members and chairpersons.
The committees must constantly follow the existing and emerging issues
and changes in their respective areas and offer practical solutions
for the problems and for achievement of the set objectives. Thanks to
the activities of these committees the president, board and executive
body of the pan-national structure would be:
â~@¢ always aware of the events occurring and situation in the areas
critical for Armeniancy,
â~@¢ able to timely and effectively respond to the challenges and
even preempt those,
â~@¢ capable of making the right and effective decisions, preparing
projects for solution of targeted problems, etc.
Consequently, the pan-national structure would become the "government"
of Diaspora, as many governance, representation, legal and other
functions would be characteristic to it. With existence of such
structure the following will ensue:
â~@¢ self-organization level of Diaspora would increase substantially,
â~@¢ Diaspora activities would be more targeted and effective,
â~@¢ the relations of Diaspora with Homeland and other countries and
organizations would become easier and clearer.
1Although since long ago, already starting from the 4th century
AD periodical forced migrations of Armenian populations led in
establishment of Armenian communities in various corners of the world,
however, the current dominant viewpoint in scientific circles is that
the Armenian Diaspora is a result of the Armenian Genocide. More
specifically, the emergence of Armenian Diaspora is attributed to
the Lausanne Agreement signed June 24, 1923, by which WWI winner
countries of Entente "buried" the Armenian Question and ruined the
hopes for repatriation of Western Armenians, who were deprived of
their homeland during the Genocide.
2For example, during the Soviet period there were disputes about
attitudes toward and standpoints on Armenia, the repatriation issue,
etc.
"Globus" analytical bulletin, No. 11-12, 2014
Return ________________________________ Another materials of author
THE ARMENIAN STUDIES IN MODERN IRAN[03.11.2014] NEW DEVELOPMENTS
AROUND THE ISSUE OF CHURCH PROPERTY RETURN IN TURKEY[02.10.2014] KESSAB
EVENTS: AN OUTLOOK FROM YEREVAN[19.05.2014] CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS OF
CENTERS FOR ARMENIAN STUDIES ABROAD[07.04.2014] THE ARMENIAN SCIENTIFIC
AND ANALYTICAL COMMUNITY IN RUSSIA[20.01.2014] ON THE MODERN CHALLENGES
THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN LEBANON FACES[19.09.2013] TRANSFORMATIONS
OF THE ARMENIAN DIASPORA: CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES[17.06.2013]
ON POLITICAL VIEW OF THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN SYRIA [06.05.2013]
ISSUE OF RETURNING CHURCH PROPERTIES IN TURKEY[07.02.2013] THE ARMENIAN
EVANGELICAL COMMUNITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST[24.10.2012]
http://www.noravank.am/eng/articles/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=13098