The World Assembly dedicated the second day of its three-day plenary meetings to discussing pressing issues pertaining to the Armenian Diaspora. Consequently, reports were presented on the Armenian family, identity, youth, participation of the Diaspora in the strengthening of Armenia and Artsakh, and revitalization of the Diaspora. These presentations were followed by extensive discussions and recommendations were offered by the delegates.

The outcome of the Assembly will be used as a guideline for His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s declaration of 2023 as the year of the revitalization of the Diaspora, and will also be adopted in the agenda of the new Central Committee for their next four-year term.

On Armenian Family

In this session, Armineh Sayitkhanian (Prelacy of Tehran) and Berj Apkarian (Western Prelacy of the USA) offered their insights on the current realities of Armenian families in their respective communities in particular and in other diaspora communities in general. They also underlined the Christian definition of family and shed light on the imperative of keeping the Armenian identity alive and prospering in the new generation. On this note, they proposed suggestions that contribute in building the future Armenian generations as active members of their communities.  

On Armenian Identity

Hampig Karayan (Prelacy of Canada) and Vicken Avakian (Prelacy of Lebanon) presented the main challenges of maintaining the Armenian identity strong and alive in the 21^st century as an Armenian Diaspora. They elaborated on the importance of Armenian schools in providing the new generation with education and tools that contribute in strengthening the identity, as well as the importance of using the western Armenian language­­­—listed by UNESCO as one of the endangered languages—in spaces where the new generation is present and active.

On Youth

Gali Avakian (from the Armenian Church University Students Association) and Jack Kechetdjian (Zavarian Students Association) were invited to speak and be the voice of the youth in their communities. They cited His Holiness’ following statement “the youth are not our future, but they are our present,” and pointed out the psychological, socioeconomic and institutional reasons in Lebanon that hinder the youth’s participation in community life.

On Participation of the Diaspora in the Strengthening of Armenia and Artsakh

This was the last session of the plenary, and MP Hagop Pakradounian (Prelacy of Lebanon) and Noel Minasian (Prelacy of Tehran) presented their papers on the past and present situation of relations between Armenia, Artsakh and the diaspora. They reiterated the role of the diaspora and the importance of a strong Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity. The presenters shed light on the tragic events of the Artsakh War in 2020, which gravely influenced the relations between the diaspora and Armenia on an individual, community and institutional level. They urged Armenians to unite around Armenian values and the homeland.

Each session was followed by a Q and A, where delegates had the opportunity to offer their inputs, and was concluded by His Holiness Aram I’s input to the topics.