Second #AGBUtalks Panel Held at AUA, Inspires Youth to Strengthen Armenian State
2 min readYEREVAN, Armenia – On April 2, 2015, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) for the second in a series of exciting and interactive #AGBUtalks meant to encourage youth engagement in advancing Armenia’s state-building. The talks were part of AGBU’s 88th General Assembly.
The second panel of #AGBUtalks, entitled “The Challenges of Building the Armenian State,” brought together enthusiastic young participants from Armenia and the Diaspora to share their perspectives on the obstacles in Armenia’s path towards development and possible solutions to overcome them. The panel encouraged proactive youth involvement in various development programs as a means of fostering the state-building process.
The keynote speakers at the panel included Vigen Sargsyan, Chief of Staff of the President of Armenia, Daron Acemoglu, Elizabeth and James Killian Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Head of the Creation of Social Doctrine department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armen Harutyunyan, Regional Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Central Asia, and Arpie Balian, Director of AUA’s Extension Program.
#AGBUtalks aimed to create a common discussion platform to inspire and engage the participants to develop ideas and roadmaps for strengthening the nation. #AGBUtalks featured keynote speakers from major educational institutions, synergic hubs, foundations, and state and international organizations operating in Armenia and abroad. Panels were open to all AGBU General Assembly participants and interested residents of Armenia, who were welcome to register and become a part of these exciting and interactive discussions.
Since the Republic of Armenia’s independence, AGBU has generously supported various cultural, educational, health, humanitarian, religious and youth programs aimed at strengthening the Armenian state. As a result of AGBU’s work, around 2,000 jobs have been created in Armenia. During its more than 100 years of activity, AGBU has provided more than one billion USD for the needs of the Armenian people. Of that amount, about 130 million USD has been provided for programs in Armenia.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 500,000 Armenians around the world.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.
