Zoryan Institute presents the first issue of its newsletter

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Zoryan Institute the first issue of the Zoryan Newsletter is available to the readers in the form of PDF format file (see below).

The newsletter describes some of the Institute's initiatives in the fields of Armenia Studies, Genocide and Diaspora Studies, including reflections and commentaries on contemporary issues.

It also presents profiles of the people that give so much to Zoryan, including scholars, students, staff, Board members, volunteers, and supporters.

K. M. Greg Sarkissian, President of the Institute addressed the readers of the first issue with the following message:

On our 25th anniversary, it is with a great sense of excitement that we launch this newsletter to provide you with information and commentary.

Many dramatic changes have profoundly affected the Armenian world since 1982. Accordingly, in planning for the next 25 years, Zoryan must consider how to employ its scholars and specialists to best address the challenges of our fast moving world. I would like to share with you some major factors that influence our thinking in this process.

Armenia and Karabagh

The collapse of the Soviet Union led to the independence of Armenia and Karabagh. This created new complexities within Armenia (nationbuilding, unemployment, restructuring the economy, health care, education, etc.), in relations with its neighbours (security, border issues and claimed territories), and in relations with the Diaspora (its role, participation and influence in nation-building).

Armenia will continue to be challenged by issues of long-term security, prosperity and progress, in the absence of normal relations with Turkey, its largest neighbour and biggest security threat. Azerbaijan is using its oil revenues to purchase arms?spending $1 billion in 2007 alone?and could reopen the war on Karabagh at any time. Uneasy relations with Georgia and the West?s issues with Iran, Armenia?s largest trading partner, further complicate the security and economic situation.

Genocide and the relationship with Turkey

Turkey?s AKP-led government has been seeking EU membership for economic benefits, to promote its westward-looking identity, and to open up freedom of religion, as Islam, the country?s dominant religion, is restricted under the current Kemalist constitution. To meet EU standards, Turkey had to legislate many reforms and confront longstanding taboos. In the process, the Armenian Genocide has also come to the fore as a taboo for Turkish society to reckon with. For their part, European countries are using the Turkish state?s denial of the Armenian Genocide as a tool to block Turkey?s accession to the EU, complicating Turkey?s already difficult relationship with Armenia.

While today the reality of the Armenian Genocide has been widely accepted, tragically, genocide has become a frequent phenomenon to resolve political conflict (Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo, East Timor, Darfur, etc.). Consequently, there is a new urgency for genocide studies to raise public awareness crucial for prevention.

Diaspora

Globalization has made Armenia a part of this interdependent world, an exhilarating, yet potentially dangerous situation, as it is not yet able to integrate into the world economy. How can the Diaspora and Armenia jointly convert this into an opportunity, utilizing the fact that 5/8 of Armenians are dispersed worldwide?

Conclusion

Considering the above, how should we, as Armenians, be thinking about our shared responsibilities, shared benefits, and shared values? Zoryan, as a national resource, whose mission is to think critically about the contemporary issues facing Armenians, must raise such questions, in order to develop new perspectives and ideas, for both current and future challenges.

In this vein the security of Armenia is our most important shared responsibility. We have to adopt a pragmatic approach to our problems. We have to have an effective way of resolving our own differences, and those with our neighbors in the region. This could only be achieved by understanding our present and how we got here, in an objective, analytical manner in order to develop a national agenda which reflects our shared values. To this end, Zoryan, by bringing Diaspora, Armenia and genocide related issues to international academic forums, provides understanding and generates goodwill towards Armenians. It also undertakes research, analysis, publication, conferences and university programs to inform and influence not only specialists and opinion-makers but also to empower the next generation to face the future with confidence.

I urge you to get involved, be a Zoryan ?Friend,? and support our mission. Thank you.