FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2004
Contact: Linda Yepoyan
Phone: 610-408-0988
Email: [email protected]
WHAT SOME OF OUR FUTURE LEADERS HAVE TO SAY:
Insight Survey Results Are In
Over 500 young diasporans participated in the Insight Survey of
Birthright Armenia in order to get their thoughts and opinions heard on
being and feeling Armenian. To reach as many interested poll takers as
possible, Birthright Armenia posted the on-line survey to its Web site
and contacted diasporan institutions and student associations across the
globe to encourage their participation. Although the survey is still
available on-line and responses are still being received daily, the
initial cut results of the first 509 takers can be found at
in their entirety. Survey participants are
encouraged to visit the site to see for themselves how their peers
answered the same questions.
The purpose of Birthright Armenia’s Insight Survey is to gauge the
attitudes and interests of diasporan young adults in the 18-32 year-old
age bracket, to better understand how they relate to their Armenian
identity, and to learn about their interests in and connections to the
homeland.
Who Took the Survey?
An analysis of the survey’s personal background section shows a nearly
perfect split on participants’ gender, with 50.8% of all respondents
being male to 49.2% being female. The vast majority of respondents
(83%) fell within our beneficiary target group of 18-32 years old, with
92% being single. Almost 50% of respondents were students. The
majority of respondents were well-educated, with 36% holding BA/BS
degrees and 19% having completed their Master’s. Over 50% of the survey
takers currently live in the U.S., with Canadians taking second place
(13%) and Europeans coming third (6%). In addition, we are extremely
pleased to have reached young diasporan adults living in Sri Lanka,
Argentina, Ukraine, Lebanon, Australia, Uruguay, Russia, Morocco,
Israel, India, Egypt, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates.
What Did They Say?
Some key results of the survey show a strong connection to the Armenian
culture and an interest in preserving the Armenian heritage.
. When asked what “being and feeling Armenian” meant to them, 40% said
it includes speaking the Armenian language and 33% said it includes
caring about the future of Armenia respectively as their top answers.
. Nearly 21% of the student respondents said it is probable they would
apply to study abroad their junior year, and that number nearly triples
to a 59% probability when a study abroad option is available in Armenia.
. For 64% of respondents, a key component of the definition of a “good”
diasporan today includes someone who has ties to the homeland.
. For those who indicated a low likelihood of travel to the homeland,
the top two reasons were lack of money (49%) and time (37%).
. Over a third (35%) of all respondents has never visited Armenia, but
76% indicated that they were likely to visit the homeland within the
next two years.
. Over half (55%) of the sample agreed with the statement “I would
consider moving to Armenia if I could get a good job”. Of this
percentage, there was an exactly equal split between students and
non-students.
. About a third (34%) of respondents said that “lack of information on
existing opportunities in Armenia” is a problem for them in deciding
whether or not to visit Armenia. Regarding such opportunities, 82% say
they would benefit from a clearinghouse of information for Armenian
diasporan youth.
. The vast majority (88%) of survey takers believe that raising children
Armenian is a very important goal in their life. Equally important
(88%) is career accomplishment. Following slightly behind (83%) is
making a difference in the community.
Birthright Armenia’s mission is to strengthen ties between the homeland
and diasporan youth by affording them an opportunity to be a part of
Armenia’s daily life and to contribute to Armenia’s development through
work, study and volunteer experiences, while developing a renewed sense
of Armenian identity. This is accomplished by supporting and
complementing the initiatives of existing diasporan organizations that
offer youth programs in Armenia, and encouraging them to expand their
offerings in depth and breath. Birthright Armenia assists with travel
fellowships, volunteer placements, language instruction, in-country
seminars and excursions in exchange for community service in Armenia.
For anyone interested in more information about Birthright Armenia,
please contact us at [email protected] or by telephone at
610-408-0988.
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