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YEGPARIAN: TWO YEARS LATER
By Garen Yegparian on July 8, 2014 in Garen Yegparian
Last week, the Western U.S. Region of the ARF completed its biennial
Convention with the election of a new Central Committee (CC), as I
wrote two years ago as well.
In that piece, I noted "guarded optimism" among ARF members. It seems
to have paid off. In evaluating the preceding two years of activity,
the convention found that very good work had been done on many fronts,
especially the financial, while naturally noting some deficiencies
as well.
Not having attended one of these conventions in 20 years, I was pleased
that the level of tension over issues and personalities had subsided
and the level of discourse had improved a bit.
Perhaps the gravity of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
helped the discourse. As you've probably already seen, besides
the traditional statement issued by the Convention, a thorough and
extensive presentation of our demands from Turkey has been issued,
in English. This will also be translated into Armenian and printed in
both languages as a pamphlet. There's even discussion of translating
it into Kurdish and Turkish.
The statement is undergirded by one of the best Convention resolutions
I've seen laying out strategic guidance for the organization's
activities over the next two years. The other major concern and focus
of the two-weekend-long conclave was the youth. How to further energize
the AYF, strengthen the AYF Juniors, and reach out to engage college
students all drew much attention. In fact, a special mid-week session
dedicated to youth issues was convened for all able to attend.
There was some turnover in the membership of the newly elected CC with
six people reelected, rounded out with two completely new members and
three "return engagements." One of the new members brings valuable
awareness of and connections to the environmental and social movements
holding the Republic of Armenia's government's feet to the fire. This
is promising because it will enable us to better support efforts to
strengthen the rule of law and civil society in the larger of our
two republics.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the decisions made by the
convention is the renewed focus on Western Armenia--not only its
liberation and related reparations, but also in the form of programs
and efforts to reconnect us with home, particularly in the context
of the 100th.
Of course, none of this happens without broad community engagement and
participation, which will be heightened given the Convention's call
for an inclusive approach to all segments of our communities dispersed
west of the Mississippi. So get ready, you may well receive a call.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/07/08/yegparian-two-years-later/
By Garen Yegparian on July 8, 2014 in Garen Yegparian
Last week, the Western U.S. Region of the ARF completed its biennial
Convention with the election of a new Central Committee (CC), as I
wrote two years ago as well.
In that piece, I noted "guarded optimism" among ARF members. It seems
to have paid off. In evaluating the preceding two years of activity,
the convention found that very good work had been done on many fronts,
especially the financial, while naturally noting some deficiencies
as well.
Not having attended one of these conventions in 20 years, I was pleased
that the level of tension over issues and personalities had subsided
and the level of discourse had improved a bit.
Perhaps the gravity of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
helped the discourse. As you've probably already seen, besides
the traditional statement issued by the Convention, a thorough and
extensive presentation of our demands from Turkey has been issued,
in English. This will also be translated into Armenian and printed in
both languages as a pamphlet. There's even discussion of translating
it into Kurdish and Turkish.
The statement is undergirded by one of the best Convention resolutions
I've seen laying out strategic guidance for the organization's
activities over the next two years. The other major concern and focus
of the two-weekend-long conclave was the youth. How to further energize
the AYF, strengthen the AYF Juniors, and reach out to engage college
students all drew much attention. In fact, a special mid-week session
dedicated to youth issues was convened for all able to attend.
There was some turnover in the membership of the newly elected CC with
six people reelected, rounded out with two completely new members and
three "return engagements." One of the new members brings valuable
awareness of and connections to the environmental and social movements
holding the Republic of Armenia's government's feet to the fire. This
is promising because it will enable us to better support efforts to
strengthen the rule of law and civil society in the larger of our
two republics.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the decisions made by the
convention is the renewed focus on Western Armenia--not only its
liberation and related reparations, but also in the form of programs
and efforts to reconnect us with home, particularly in the context
of the 100th.
Of course, none of this happens without broad community engagement and
participation, which will be heightened given the Convention's call
for an inclusive approach to all segments of our communities dispersed
west of the Mississippi. So get ready, you may well receive a call.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/07/08/yegparian-two-years-later/