Azad-Hye,
The thematic panel subjects at the Conference covered a range of topics, some marked with the usual enthusiastic and optimistic approach. Generally speaking, the audience did not feel bored.
The overall attitude of the local press was somehow positive towards the participating Diasporan Armenians. During the 2nd Conference (2002) the critics dared calling the participants as ?tourists? or people without any agenda or priorities. This year the respect was obvious towards the participants, who proved to be more mature and objective towards their goals. The ability to distinguish the achievable from the idealistic is developing in the ranks of the Diasporan Armenians. The same applies to the Armenian authorities.
The researches which were presented during the panel discussion helped to form a larger view about the fate of being Armenian. They helped to position our views on national issues within an international or global context, thus avoiding ethnocentric ideas and creating a platform for nation-wide acceptable policies.
Reference was made to the specific psychological characteristics of each type of Diasporan Armenian (Middle Eastern, Western, non-Armenian speaker, etc.), the dangers of immigrating out of
The participants acknowledged that the subject of dual citizenship is very complicated and has positive and negative aspects. Many said that the 10 years special residence status (which is sometimes misleadingly marketed as passport) is enough for a Diasporan to live and work in
The above problem is indirectly related to another distressing issue: the economic emigration. Even countries with more severe economic, political or military situation are not facing this much immigration. Some fifty thousand Armenians still leave
The Government is obviously busy with other issues and is not capable of handling this huge problem. On the other hand, only 2-3 thousand Armenians repatriate to present day
The Conference participants discussed the fact that
It is fortunate however that the immigrants are remitting sums from abroad to their beloved ones inside
One of the participants noticed that while the Armenian satellite TV was transmitting the Armenia-Diaspora dwellings, the local Armenian national TV station was broadcasting a Brazilian serial, thus raising questions about the priorities of the Armenian population. A critic commented that the reason behind this was to divert the attention of the public from the topics of the Conference by avoiding the transmission of the critical remarks of the Diasporan participants during the Conference.
Many Diasporan Armenians assured that the Diaspora has given and is ready to give much more to
Minister Voskanian's 10 minutes speech was actually impressive and dealt with all the challenges facing
An important point which was repeated several times in this conference was the necessity to distinguish between the factual and the wishful in Diaspora ?
It is important to understand the psychology and the expectations of each other. The majority of Diaspora Armenians still visit Armenia carrying with them superficial and nostalgic emotionality in their effort to embrace the motherland, but then they often face disappointments and make hasty and negative generalizations. We should strike a balance between our expectations and what can
The positive thing about the current government is the commitment to EU standards. There is now a kind of control over corruption; Monopolies are shrinking and other harmful phenomena are giving way to modern methods of business ethics and administration mannerism. Although the scale of changes is limited, nevertheless, the people are beginning to think about themselves as future European citizens.
Overall it is still hard to live and work in
