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CREATIVE PHILANTHROPY
Mirror Spectator
Editorial 3-21 March 2015
By Edmond Y. Azadian
Armenians have been persecuted and have suffered tremendously over
the centuries, often depending on charities from their own folk or
from foreign charities and relief agencies that have carried most of
the weight contributing to the survival of the nation.
There are different types of charitable people. All contributions
certainly go a long way but contributions of a few go further because
they have a creative spin to it.
There are philanthropists who contribute because some influential
individuals convince them. Others observe the need and contribute
spontaneously. Still others donate because their names will be
perpetuated on a building.
But few benefactors combine major elements of philanthropy to have
an impact on history. Most of the times, those are self-made types
who have accumulated their wealth through their business acumen. They
are participants in their own communities, those being in touch with
the pulse of history. And the last component of philanthropy is the
vision that will pull all the other aspects together.
We remember and revere many philanthropists for their valuable legacy
but very few have cast their shadows over our history.
One such person may be considered Alexander Montachev, the oil
magnate from Baku. His munificence covers many areas of Armenian life,
culminating in the gift of Komitas to the Armenian people. Thanks to
his support, Komitas was sent to Berlin to become an ethnomusicologist
and helped define the course and identity of Armenian music.
Another philanthropist who was able to convert wealth into wisdom was
Alex Manoogian, who, having lived and suffered with his own people,
did not need any appeal or guidance to direct his charities. He would
generate ideas and develop programs and fund them generously. More than
one generation of educated Armenians enriched the diaspora life thanks
to his education campaigns. He combined charity with wisdom and vision
and that way he was elevated to the level of national leadership.
He casts a large shadow over the second half of the 20th century in
the diaspora as well as in Armenia.
Having said that, of course, other stellar names in our philanthropic
past are Nubar Pasha and Calouste Gulbenkian, who were able to help
their people and their adopted communities with their foresight.
Technology, globalization and the development of demographic profiles
challenged old forms of charity and thus philanthropists have had to
keep pace with modern developments.
Ruben Vardanyan dashed into the realm of philanthropy with new ideas,
innovative projects and global vision.
When the Armenians envy the success of Jewish people, they overlook
one fundamental fact: Jews not only take care of their own people
and contribute to their own charities, but they contribute to a
host of causes. They even take leadership roles in philanthropy in
contributing to causes not even remotely related to their ethnic,
religious, social and political affiliations. In fact, often, from
a young age, Jewish children are taught to tithe money to charity,
a concept that has yet to take root in our community.
Mr. Vardanyan seems to pay enough attention to grasp that philanthropy
can succeed when exercised in a global manner, in a globalized society.
The reason his initiative was instantly covered in the world press,
beginning with the Economist in London, the New York Times and the
press from all over the world is publicity value. From the start,
he has enlisted into his projects world renowned figures such as Elie
Wiesel, George Clooney and other statesmen and human rights activists.
Vardanyan had already made a name for himself by funding and
establishing a multimillion-dollar, world-class international school
in Dilijan, Armenia.
He has associated himself with fellow like-minded benefactors, namely
Dr. Noubar Afeyan and Dr. Vartan Gregorian, who have joined him in
co-founding the 100 Lives Project.
Next year, when George Clooney flies to Yerevan to award the first
Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, the world press will follow him
there. How much PR funds does one need to spend in order to focus
world media attention on Armenia?
The concept behind the project is to note righteous people who helped
Armenians in their time of need. Armenians, in turn, now can extend
their gratitude to the rest of the world.
It is also interesting that the project is awarding 100 scholarships
to students in Arab countries to enroll at the Dilijan School.
Armenians, with their knee-jerk antagonism to the Islamic faith of
the Turks forget the welcome that the Genocide survivors enjoyed in
Muslim Arab countries, where they also prospered. The scholarships
to be awarded symbolize the gratitude that Armenians owe to the host
Muslim countries.
On the eve of the Genocide centennial, this positive light is splashing
across the world news media as a welcome development.
Judging from the interviews which Mr. Vardanyan has given thus far, he
comes across as having an impressive command of the English language.
But, more impressive is his knowledge of Armenian history. It is
no wonder, since this grandfather taught history at Yerevan State
University.
We use charity to overcome misery. But here a brighter aspect of
philanthropy comes forth. Mr. Vardanyan states: "Yes, we should
remember and honor the memory of the victims and the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide by other countries, particularly by Turkey,
is important for us, but our main message to the world is that we
are alive and strong."
The media fully covered the details of this enormous philanthropic
endeavor and more details certainly will unfold during the coming
months and year. We hope we are not jumping the gun by getting overly
excited about the prospect.
The only wish that we may have would be for the lasting consequences
of this illuminating drive.
We can only define this drive as a creative philanthropy whose aim
is "learning from the past, delivering the present and shaping the
future."
Mirror Spectator
Editorial 3-21 March 2015
By Edmond Y. Azadian
Armenians have been persecuted and have suffered tremendously over
the centuries, often depending on charities from their own folk or
from foreign charities and relief agencies that have carried most of
the weight contributing to the survival of the nation.
There are different types of charitable people. All contributions
certainly go a long way but contributions of a few go further because
they have a creative spin to it.
There are philanthropists who contribute because some influential
individuals convince them. Others observe the need and contribute
spontaneously. Still others donate because their names will be
perpetuated on a building.
But few benefactors combine major elements of philanthropy to have
an impact on history. Most of the times, those are self-made types
who have accumulated their wealth through their business acumen. They
are participants in their own communities, those being in touch with
the pulse of history. And the last component of philanthropy is the
vision that will pull all the other aspects together.
We remember and revere many philanthropists for their valuable legacy
but very few have cast their shadows over our history.
One such person may be considered Alexander Montachev, the oil
magnate from Baku. His munificence covers many areas of Armenian life,
culminating in the gift of Komitas to the Armenian people. Thanks to
his support, Komitas was sent to Berlin to become an ethnomusicologist
and helped define the course and identity of Armenian music.
Another philanthropist who was able to convert wealth into wisdom was
Alex Manoogian, who, having lived and suffered with his own people,
did not need any appeal or guidance to direct his charities. He would
generate ideas and develop programs and fund them generously. More than
one generation of educated Armenians enriched the diaspora life thanks
to his education campaigns. He combined charity with wisdom and vision
and that way he was elevated to the level of national leadership.
He casts a large shadow over the second half of the 20th century in
the diaspora as well as in Armenia.
Having said that, of course, other stellar names in our philanthropic
past are Nubar Pasha and Calouste Gulbenkian, who were able to help
their people and their adopted communities with their foresight.
Technology, globalization and the development of demographic profiles
challenged old forms of charity and thus philanthropists have had to
keep pace with modern developments.
Ruben Vardanyan dashed into the realm of philanthropy with new ideas,
innovative projects and global vision.
When the Armenians envy the success of Jewish people, they overlook
one fundamental fact: Jews not only take care of their own people
and contribute to their own charities, but they contribute to a
host of causes. They even take leadership roles in philanthropy in
contributing to causes not even remotely related to their ethnic,
religious, social and political affiliations. In fact, often, from
a young age, Jewish children are taught to tithe money to charity,
a concept that has yet to take root in our community.
Mr. Vardanyan seems to pay enough attention to grasp that philanthropy
can succeed when exercised in a global manner, in a globalized society.
The reason his initiative was instantly covered in the world press,
beginning with the Economist in London, the New York Times and the
press from all over the world is publicity value. From the start,
he has enlisted into his projects world renowned figures such as Elie
Wiesel, George Clooney and other statesmen and human rights activists.
Vardanyan had already made a name for himself by funding and
establishing a multimillion-dollar, world-class international school
in Dilijan, Armenia.
He has associated himself with fellow like-minded benefactors, namely
Dr. Noubar Afeyan and Dr. Vartan Gregorian, who have joined him in
co-founding the 100 Lives Project.
Next year, when George Clooney flies to Yerevan to award the first
Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, the world press will follow him
there. How much PR funds does one need to spend in order to focus
world media attention on Armenia?
The concept behind the project is to note righteous people who helped
Armenians in their time of need. Armenians, in turn, now can extend
their gratitude to the rest of the world.
It is also interesting that the project is awarding 100 scholarships
to students in Arab countries to enroll at the Dilijan School.
Armenians, with their knee-jerk antagonism to the Islamic faith of
the Turks forget the welcome that the Genocide survivors enjoyed in
Muslim Arab countries, where they also prospered. The scholarships
to be awarded symbolize the gratitude that Armenians owe to the host
Muslim countries.
On the eve of the Genocide centennial, this positive light is splashing
across the world news media as a welcome development.
Judging from the interviews which Mr. Vardanyan has given thus far, he
comes across as having an impressive command of the English language.
But, more impressive is his knowledge of Armenian history. It is
no wonder, since this grandfather taught history at Yerevan State
University.
We use charity to overcome misery. But here a brighter aspect of
philanthropy comes forth. Mr. Vardanyan states: "Yes, we should
remember and honor the memory of the victims and the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide by other countries, particularly by Turkey,
is important for us, but our main message to the world is that we
are alive and strong."
The media fully covered the details of this enormous philanthropic
endeavor and more details certainly will unfold during the coming
months and year. We hope we are not jumping the gun by getting overly
excited about the prospect.
The only wish that we may have would be for the lasting consequences
of this illuminating drive.
We can only define this drive as a creative philanthropy whose aim
is "learning from the past, delivering the present and shaping the
future."