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06/03/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ARF's Margarian Meets with France's Socialist Party Representative 2) ARF Western Europe Convention Convenes in France 3) Ghukasian Says Karabagh Constitution First Step to Statehood 4) US Karabagh Envoy Again in Yerevan 5) Conference to Tackle New Challenges in the Changing Armenian American Youth Identity in Armenian Schools 1) ARF's Margarian Meets with France's Socialist Party Representative PARIS (ARF Press Office)--Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau representative Hrant Margarian congratulated France's Socialist Party first secretary François Hollande for his party's firm stance on Turkey's entry into the European Union, suggesting the party exert efforts to convince other European socialist parties to follow suit. Hollande confirmed that he has pursued the matter with newly elected President of the European Socialist Party Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, and will work more actively in the coming weeks to push the issue. The two met at the Paris headquarters of the Socialist Party on June 3. Hollande explained that though it was not possible to get an ARF representative to an electable position in the upcoming European Parliament elections, he assured that the matter would be resolved in time for other European and French elections. Noting ARF's integral participation in Socialist International, Margarian said the ARF of Armenia, as a coalition government partner, is able to advance socialist ideology through its activities, and works toward Armenia's European integration. The Bureau representative invited Hollande to visit Armenia as a guest of the ARF, on the occasion of General Assembly of CIS Socialist parties; Hollande accepted. Margarian revealed that the ARF plans to establish the Hrair Maroukhian Foundation to follow the example of France's Jean Juares Foundation, which seeks to foster democracy and social justice by assisting Socialist International party members in the "new democracies" that emerged following the collapse of dictatorships in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Hollande promised to collaborate with the ARF on the venture. Also participating during the meeting between Holland and Margarian were France's Socialist Party international secretary Philip Cordery and ARF Western Europe Central Committee members Mourad Papazian and Charles Papazian. During a joint press conference that followed, Hollande announced that in a recent letter he appealed to the president of Turkey to address the issue and recognize the Armenian Genocide. The sides also announced that a joint ARF, Socialist Party of France announcement had been signed that calls for Turkey's recognition of the Armenian Genocide and calls on [European] citizens to cast their votes in favor of Socialist party candidates. 2) ARF Western Europe Convention Convenes in France YEREVAN (Yerkir)--A reception marking the opening of Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Western Europe's 68th regional convention took place at the French Parliament building on June 2, with a guest list that included ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margarian, Armenia's Ambassador to France Eduard Nalbandian, Mountainous Karabagh Republic's representative to France Hovhannes Gevorgian, as well French Parliament members and representatives of Armenian organizations. ARF Western Europe Central Committee representative Murad Papazian explained the ARF decided to hold its regional convention at the French parliament in order to pay tribute to France which recognized the Armenian Genocide in the very building. "As a result, and through the Armenian National Committee's active involvement, the ARF has registered several victories in countries that have recognized the Armenian Genocide," explained Papazian. "And the party continues to work in two directions in Europe: to pass a law in France punishing those that deny the Armenian genocide; and prevent Turkey from joining the European Union unless it admits the genocide." Papazian said the regional convention will review a draft program on Mountainous Karabagh, strengthen Armenia-France cooperation in 2005, and discuss the fate of Javakhk, as well as issues on advancing the Armenian issues in Europe's cultural and political arenas. ARF Bureau representative Margarian welcomed the gathering, stressing the importance of the party's European organization. He also spoke of the ARF's activities in Armenia that promote a comprehensive fight against corruption, the implementation of a drastic poverty reduction program, and Constitutional reforms to strengthen democratic mechanisms. Representatives of various political parties expressed support for many issues the ARF advances, while Ambassador Nalbandian said it is difficult to imagine the Diaspora without the ARF, whose history is amalgamated with that of the Armenian nation. 3) Ghukasian Says Karabagh Constitution First Step to Statehood STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)--At the first session of the Constitutional Commission of Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR), President Arkady Ghukasian said that Karabagh must have a Constitution. "The adoption of standard law will become an important step on the way to gaining statehood," said the president, who chaired the session of the new commission that met on Thursday. "Mountainous Karabagh Republic cannot wait forever, hoping Azerbaijan will agree to engage in direct dialogue with Karabagh on a final resolution to the conflict. Karabagh must develop into a democratic country with the rule of law," he stated. A work group has formed to elaborate on formulating a Constitution. 4) US Karabagh Envoy Again in Yerevan YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--US chief negotiator on Mountainous Karabagh paid a low-key visit to Yerevan on Thursday to focus on international efforts to resolve the conflict. Steven Mann was recently appointed the US co-chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group tasked with finding a resolution to the Karabagh conflict. Mann held separate meetings with President Robert Kocharian and Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian for the second time in six weeks. No details of the talks were made public, with the Mann declining to comment on the purpose of his trip and the current status of the peace process. "I am just having talks with the Armenian government," he said, without elaborating. A brief statement by Kocharian's office said Mann discussed the Karabagh conflict and informed the president about his talks with Azeri leaders in Baku on Wednesday. Mann's previous trip to Yerevan was followed by a meeting in Poland between Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov met in Strasbourg two weeks later, emerging from it with cautiously optimistic statements. The Armenian Foreign Ministry said the two ministers will meet again in Prague on June 21, adding that Oskanian and the US mediator spoke about details of that meeting. Speaking at Yerevan State University earlier on Thursday, Oskanian said that the negotiation process is "not on a bad track" at the moment and is "following in the footsteps of previous talks." "I think that in the next two months we will have more clarity as to whether we can build on the base that has been created during all these years…or Azerbaijan wants to divert that process to another direction," he said, reiterating Yerevan's hopes of reviving peace accords reached by the parties three years ago. Oskanian repeated the Armenian side's insistence on a single "package" accord that would resolve all contentious issues. He added that it will agree to a phased settlement only if the majority of Armenians want so. "If there is really a public consensus that we should go for a phased solution, then we will have no problem," he said. "But to be honest, I don't see popular demand for a phased solution." 5) Conference to Tackle New Challenges in the Changing Armenian American Youth Identity in Armenian Schools BURBANK--In an effort to address and reassess the cultural identity development process of the Armenian-American youth, the Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools has organized a conference, "Armenian Education In North America: Reassessment In The Context Of The Changing Armenian American Identity," June 4-5, at Woodbury University. A variety of questions will be tackled, including the sociological and psychological view on cultural identity development, pedagogical challenges in Armenian education and instruction, and the need for reassessing the existing Armenian curriculum. Over the past 30 years, the concept of cultural identity development has been the focus of a wide body of research. During this period, as society has become structurally more complex, the findings of research related to cultural identity have confirmed that members of culturally diverse groups undergo a developmentally-based process through which they form a cultural identity that defines their bi- or multicultural status in society. Thus, regardless of the specific characteristics of a cultural group, an individual's minority status in a dominating culture (i.e., White) triggers the process of cultural identity development as a result of the larger majority-minority dynamics in society. As such, the cultural identity development of the Armenian American student is a critical factor that must be taken into account in the context of the curricula of Armenian schools in America. The conference will attempt to systematically explore the relevance of cultural identity development to Armenian American students, and to find practical ways of giving students the opportunity to successfully integrate the various components of their cultural identity into a constructive whole. After opening remarks by Yeznig Kazandjian of the Board of Regents and a program introduction by Dr. Rubina Peroomian of UCLA, the Friday session will commence. Session I, from 10:00 AM12:00 Noon, will address the Development of the Armenian American Cultural Identity: A Sociological Perspective. Panelists include LAUSD School Psychologist Garine Minasian, LAUSD School Psychologist/Bilingual Armenian Assessment Jeannine Topalian, and Mesrobian Armenian School Principal Hilda Saliba, among other distinguished experts in the field. Session II, from 1:30 PM3:30 PM, will focus on the psychological perspective of the development of the Armenian American cultural identity, with a presentation by Rose & Alex Pilibos School Principal Dr. Viken Yacoubian, and panelists including Pasadena High School Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction Marisa Sarian, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nora Sahakian, and Krouzian Zakarian Vasbouragan Armenian School Principal Olia Yenikomshian, among others. With the instruction of Armenian subject matters a primary component in Armenian schools, Saturday's session will be devoted to how the Armenian language, history, national-religious studies, and cultural heritage are taught through traditional curricula, using content-appropriate textbooks, as well as the challenges and necessary steps to be taken. Session I, from 10:00 AM12:00 Noon will delve into the pedagogical challenges in Armenian education and instruction. Presenters on the topic include UCLA Research Associate Dr. Rubina Peroomian, and Educational Consultant/trainee David Ghougassian. The reassessment of the Armenian curriculum is the focus of Session II, from 1:30 PM3:30 PM, with presentations by AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School Principal Hagop Hagopian, and Holy Martyrs Ferrahian School Principal John Kossakian. The Armenian daily schools in North America have a history that dates back more than forty years. The 21st century places new challenges in terms of reassessing Armenian education and identity, and the praiseworthy input of all the participants will surely mark it as a productive and successful conference. Location: Woodbury University Cabrini Hall (New Woody's) 7500 Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91510 All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. 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