AUA Alumni Club Attends Wilsonian Breakfast with Donald Wilson Bush

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On September 4, 2015, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Alumni Club, together with AUA Vice President of Operations Mr. Ashot Ghazaryan, were invited to a Wilsonian Breakfast hosted by Donald Wilson Bush, a Woodrow Wilson family descendant, President of the Woodrow Wilson Legacy Foundation, and political consultant in the United States. The topic of discussion was “Young Leaders in Armenia: Challenges and Opportunities.” The meeting was one of a series of Wilsonian Breakfasts organized by the AYB School.

Mr. Wilson Bush, who considers himself Armenian by choice, remarked, “The idea of Wilsonian Breakfasts is to host those who appreciate Armenia and are eager to make their contribution to Armenia’s future. We must come together to understand how we can help one another.”

The discussion focused on both the challenges and the opportunities that young leaders have in Armenia, as well as on practical ways to support new initiatives and start-ups. Mr. Wilson Bush shared his insights and gave recommendations based on his international experience as a consultant.

The group also discussed prospects for building bridges and networks between Armenia and the Diaspora, as well as establishing international leadership centers as a means for facilitating the creation and sustainability of new projects and companies in Armenia.

Mr. Wilson Bush expressed his readiness to assist the facilitation of ties between AUA alumni and the Armenian Diaspora in the U.S. He also emphasized the importance of local Armenians who have studied abroad returning to Armenia and contributing to the country, and also the need for Diasporan Armenians to consider repatriation. He commented that Armenia’s many values and attractive qualities must be properly marketed to the rest of the world in order for it to become more of a destination country.

Mr. Ashot Ghazaryan discussed AUA’s role as an institution that stands for a high level of excellence in educating future leaders of Armenia. Alumni Club members highlighted the need for a better job market and greater entrepreneurial opportunities for AUA graduates and other professionals to find their place in the Armenian market. 

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.