On Dec. 7, the AYF-WR hosted a Twitter chat in honor of the 25^th Anniversary of the Spitak earthquake in Armenia. The 6.8 magnitude earthquake killed more than 25,000 people and destroyed the city, leaving thousands homeless and displaced.

Participants from across the United States and Canada discussed ways to improve conditions in Armenia and better prepare for earthquakes and relief efforts throughout the world. The chat was moderated by Purag Moumdjian of the Pasadena “Nigol Touman” Chapter.

Those taking part in the discussion generally agreed that foreign aid is not enough to restore a country following an earthquake. “[T]he government of the country itself has to be committed and stable enough to use foreign aid effectively [and] help its people,” said Anoush Djrbashian of the Burbank “Varak” Chapter. “The internal structure (or lack thereof) is the problem,” agreed AYF-WR Executive Director, Stepan Keshishian.

Participant William Bairamian offered a suggestion: to “not focus on who’s at fault but on how to move forward and be better – and doing it.” He later tweeted, “The ingenuity and will of people should not be discounted. Governments can help but are not necessary for creation.”

Moumdjian posed a question about what needs to be done to improve infrastructure in Armenia for better earthquake preparedness. Answers included suggestions such as educating the country about disaster preparedness, and developing Diasporan projects in Armenia. Tro Krikorian believes the latter to be a method that has proven to be effective in the past.

The discussion lasted about an hour and a half. For complete coverage, click here.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead’s timeless words hold true, especially within the community of young Armenians at the heart of Armenia’s and, by extension, the world’s pressing social issues. On Thursday, Nov. 21, a group of 20 thoughtful and committed AYF members came together at Pasadena’s Armenian Center for a night of open, thought-provoking and often contentious discussion.

We had heard of such nights held among members of the Pasadena AYF community from our parents: cozy nights at members’ homes with controversial, but relevant, topics of discussion. We felt a strong need to reintroduce this to the young Armenians of today, and so a small movement was born: the first Asbarez Night was planned.

The question at hand was, “Will a strong foundation in Armenia strengthen the diaspora, or will a strong diaspora strengthen Armenia?” Pasadena’s “Nigol Touman” chapter welcomed members from neighboring communities for an intimate evening of open, uncensored discussion. Participants had their share of passionate disagreements, but ultimately maintained the atmosphere of respect necessary in activities like this.

Fundamental in the discussion was the notion of repatriation, the act of returning to one’s country of origin. Is it the role of the diaspora to westernize Armenia; that is, to industrialize and develop the country? Armenian youth are deeply split on this issue: many feel that their place is in the diaspora communities, to further develop the Armenian presence and awareness in non-Armenian parts of the world. Others feel it is necessary to energize Armenia socially, economically and politically, and that this responsibility falls upon the shoulders of diasporan Armenians.

This led to question the necessity of an Armenian diaspora. Parallels were often drawn to the diasporas of other groups and their successes outside of their countries of origin. In this respect, the discussion took a refreshing turn away from politics and towards humanitarianism. Undeveloped hygiene and healthcare in many parts of Armenia became a point of discussion, the scope of diasporan responsibility towards Armenia was widened, and participants embraced the notion of developing projects to further humanitarian causes abroad.

In upholding the self-direction and open-forum aspects of the evening, a brief period was designated for participants to reflect on the discussion and offer criticisms and suggestions for future Asbarez Nights. It is the hope of Pasadena’s “Nigol Touman” chapter that other communities take the initiative and encourage and host open discussions like this, for they support the social activism, peer respect and free speech constructs present within the organization. The night served its purpose with overwhelming success. Though small in number, a strong, dedicated group proved its ability to exchange ideas respectfully and paved the way for a bright future of open discussion within the Western Region of the AYF.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization in the United States, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian-American youth.

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Protesters oppose hosting of Turkish Deputy Prime Minister at LA World Affairs Council Event

LOS ANGELES: On Monday, October 21st, hundreds of Armenians gathered at the Intercontinental Hotel to protest a presentation by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, Ali Babacan. The protest was organized by the Armenian Youth Federation Western Region and the Unified Young Armenians.

Hosted by the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, the event was a means for the government of Turkey to present their economic and foreign policy, including US-Turkey business relations and the future of economic investment in the region. Community members marched along the busy Los Angeles street during the evening’s rush hour traffic, voicing their concern and frustration over the LAWAC’s hosting of the genocidal Turkish government, given its continued track record of human rights violations.

“The fact that a representative from the government of Turkey was given a platform in L.A., from which to spread false propaganda about all the ways in which Turkey is a shining example of democracy, and in order to win the hearts and dollars of potential investors, is a complete outrage,” said AYF Executive Director, Stepan Keshishian. “As American citizens who value freedom of speech and expression, ethnic and religious freedom, and the protection of basic human rights, we cannot allow economic interests to overpower our values and beliefs. The government of Turkey does not respect and uphold the values that we regard as inviolable and fundamental to American society, and the democratic world must awaken to the policy of intolerance that guides their foreign and economic interests,” Keshishian added.

While the protest was in full force, the dinner-presentation commenced in the Grand Ballroom, where LAWAC President, Terry McCarthy, opened the evening with a tasteless joke about there being hundreds of people outside who apparently thought they would get to see Kobe Bryant (Bryant formerly held an advertising deal with Turkish airlines). McCarthy then introduced Ali Babacan, who addressed his dinner audience with a speech on Turkish foreign and economic policy.

Following the speech, the participants were granted a brief Question & Answer session with the Deputy Prime Minister. All questioners hinted at corruption and disregard for human rights within Turkey. Babacan was asked whether he feels that businesses investing in Turkey should worry about collateral damage on their public image as a result of Turkey’s human rights abuses, including its crackdown on peaceful protesters at Gezi Park—which is built on the grounds of a confiscated Armenian cemetery—having the highest number of jailed journalists in the world, its support for genocidal regimes, such as Sudan, its imprisonment of Kurdish children, its illegal occupation of Northern Cyprus, and its continued active denial of the Armenian genocide. Babacan responded that he did not know how to answer because there were too many issues brought up. He then touched upon the Gezi Park protests, stating that ‘Turkish police overreacted in their reaction to the peaceful protestors, but they did what was needed to be done.’ On the topic of the Armenian Genocide he stated that there needs to be a historical commission established in order to examine whether or not the death of 1.5 million people, the displacement of countless others, and the appropriation of vast amounts of businesses, properties, and wealth could possibly constitute a genocide.

In closing, Terry McCarthy stated, “we have speakers from all spectrums of contentious issues and as a non-partisan organization, we don’t endorse the viewpoints of the speakers we host.” However, the AYF and UYA are outraged by the LAWAC’s blatant disregard for the interests of the community; implying that the Armenian Genocide is a viewpoint is akin to hosting a denier of the Jewish Holocaust. “The Turkish officials and their paid mouthpieces must clearly understand that, until the Government of Turkey accepts its responsibility for the Armenian Genocide and makes appropriate moral, financial and territorial restitution, a progressive and enlightened Los Angeles can not welcome them,” stated Aroutin Hartounian, President of the UYA. We, as the Diaspora and as Americans, stand in firm opposition to entertaining and developing relations with representatives of a government that, since its inception, has systematically disregarded and violated these basic liberties.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization in the United States, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian-American youth.

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