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    Categories: 2019

AGBU Holds Its 90th General Assembly in Paris with a Focus on the Future


AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Website: www.agbu.org

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, 

AGBU HOLDS ITS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN PARIS WITH A FOCUS ON THE FUTURE

From February 7-9, hundreds of Armenians and friends—from as far as Japan and 
Uruguay, South Africa and Australia—gathered in Paris on the occasion of the 
90th General Assembly of the AGBU. Over three days, a full agenda of diverse 
events took place at various landmark venues in the heart of the city, starting 
with a Welcome Reception at the Eiffel Tower. This set the stage for the rest 
of the weekend, over which the 113-year old organization would reflect on its 
many accomplishments in the previous two years, contemplate the future of the 
Armenian world against the sweeping global shifts wrought by new technologies 
and social trends, and recognize distinguished figures in the community who 
empower AGBU to touch the lives of over 500,000 Armenians every year and 
maintain a presence in nearly 97 countries. 

The first of these acknowledgements took place on Friday evening at a Charles 
Aznavour Tribute Concert at La Salle Wagram. The life and legacy of this global 
entertainer, Armenian statesman at large, and longtime friend of AGBU, was 
celebrated with a powerful medley of the lyrical genius’ best-loved ballads, 
performed by his esteemed accompanying pianist Erik Berchot and collaborating 
jazz singer Joana Mendil. In line with AGBU’s long tradition of fostering 
rising Armenian talents, contemporary vocalists Narine Dovlatyan, Iveta 
Mukuchyan, Sona Rubenyan, Srbuhi Sargsyan and Gor Sujyan, under the direction 
of performer Hayk Petrosyan, captured the audience with their stylistic 
tributes. Interspersed throughout the program was documentary footage 
chronicling Aznavour’s illustrious career and worldwide impact on society. 

Among the distinguished audience members was Aznavour’s son and co-founder of 
the Aznavour Foundation Nicolas Aznavour. “It was a great pleasure for us to 
honor my father’s memory with the AGBU family in Paris,” Aznavour remarked. 
“This concert marks the beginning of many collaborations between AGBU and the 
Aznavour Foundation. Charles Aznavour has brought so much joy and pride to our 
lives. It is our collective duty to keep alive his artistic and humanitarian 
legacy.”

The next day, during the formal session of the 90th General Assembly held at 
Les Jardins Saint Dominique, AGBU members unanimously elected four new board 
members: Haig Ariyan, Nadia Gortzounian, Vartkess Knadjian and Ari Libarikian. 
It was also a time for AGBU leadership to recognize valued individuals, whose 
life and work have positively impacted Armenians. 

French politician Patrick Devedjian was presented with the Boghos Nubar Award, 
the highest honor AGBU bestows upon community members who elevate others and 
work tirelessly in service of society. Celebrated as a universal role model and 
global Armenian citizen for his advocacy, Devedjian was honored for how he has 
paved the way for a generation of Armenian leadership in public service. Among 
his many achievements, his unrelenting pursuit of justice in relation to the 
recognition of the Armenian Genocide led to the passage of a 2016 extension of 
the current French holocaust law, making the denial or trivialization of all 
events classed as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes or slavery 
punishable crimes. 

Esteemed community leaders and committees were also presented with high honors 
throughout the Assembly. Tamar Khabaian from Syria, Monica Nalbandian from 
Brazil, Maral Tchorbadjian from Australia and Herminé Duzian from France were 
all celebrated for their valiant efforts in serving and maintaining the spirit 
of AGBU. In addition, the AGBU Buenos Aires Chapter, the AGBU Young 
Professionals of Greater New York and the AGBU Young Professionals of Northern 
California were also recognized with awards, celebrating their innumerable 
contributions to community life among their constituents.

Later in the evening, participants gathered Le Pavillon Ledoyen, one of the 
most renowned restaurants in Paris, for the AGBU Gala. The affair was welcomed 
by Masters of Ceremony Central Board Member Ani Manoukian and London Trust 
Member Camilio Azzouz. Unbeknownst to all, the Gala paid tribute to two 
distinguished couples for their decades of active support of AGBU and the 
communities around them: Sarkis and Seta Demirdjian; and Vatche and Tamar 
Manoukian. Both were presented with tribute videos and special awards. 

Building on the storied legacies of their parents, prominent founding figures 
in the AGBU communities of Lebanon and Syria, Sarkis and Seta Demirdjian have 
continued to expand their philanthropic mission, encouraging new generations to 
follow their lead. It was the Demirdjians along with their siblings who, after 
the Lebanese Civil War, committed to creating a community center that would 
welcome the broader Lebanese community, making AGBU the first Armenian 
organization to create such a powerful medium of solidarity in the country and 
a model of social enterprise.  Beyond investing in education on multiple 
continents through the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, the couple also 
supports the arts through their work with the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra 
and numerous music festivals. Committed to excellence, the Demirdjians were 
honored for their relentless efforts in bettering not just the Armenian world, 
but society at large.  

Vatche and Tamar Manoukian were also thanked for their continued generosity 
empowering Armenians and other meaningful communities throughout the world. 
Citing merely a handful of the couple’s vast beneficiaries, the Manoukians were 
among the first to invest in Armenia bringing outside companies to the nation, 
they have also been consistent donors of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and AGBU 
through various projects including the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School 
and the Performing Arts Center in their name in California. Through their work 
with other global non-profit organizations like UNICEF and the Elton John AIDS 
Foundation, the Manoukians’ generosity toward the most marginalized communities 
has given back to countless in need while also elevating the Armenian image on 
a global scale.  His Royal Highness, Charles, Prince of Wales characterized 
their impact on his Dumfries House project, expressing his congratulations by 
saying: “I hope that you know how much you are appreciated for all that you 
have done in the United Kingdom. I would’ve called you a national treasure, but 
with your scope and breadth of work, it would be more accurate to describe you 
as an international treasure.” 

The weekend was one of tributes and gratitude, but it served equally as a venue 
for looking forward and establishing building blocks for the coming years. One 
of the highlights of the three-day program was the all-day Conference at 
Station F—the world’s largest start up campus. It was a fitting space for the 
extraordinary panel of visionaries and experts, assembled to spark timely and 
important conversations moderated by Stèphane Petrossian of AGBU France. The 
main thesis of the morning session was the dawn of the fast approaching Quantum 
Age. Keynote speaker Robert Vassoyan, Senior Executive Vice President of Atos 
S.E., asserted that governments, corporations, organizations and communities 
must prepare for the coming wave of far-reaching change, both to seize 
opportunities presented by science and technology and to manage the challenges 
posed by dark forces in cyberspace. Vassoyan closed his insightful presentation 
focusing on Armenia’s future and the tremendous opportunity for developing 
start-ups and cultivating diverse, young talent. Characterizing the country as 
an “eState,” he emphasized the importance of putting citizens at the center of 
this new way of looking at nationhood.  

In moderating the first panel on Entrepreneurship, Central Board member and 
President of AGBU Armenia Vasken Yacoubian stressed that the entrepreneurial 
spirit is core to Armenia’s ability to succeed. Panelists included Tatul 
Ajamyan, Founder of Wakie and IT startups, Aline Kamakian, Entrepreneur and 
Founder of Mayrig restaurants, and Vahe Keushguerian, Entrepreneur and 
Co-Founder of Impact Hub Armenia. Each provided deep insight on the issues 
surrounding starting a business in Armenia and the importance of promoting 
cultural tolerance between Diaspora and Armenia, as well as integrating female 
entrepreneurs into the start-up economy. 

The afternoon session picked up on the topic of women, focusing squarely on 
trending women’s issues, both in the global context and specifically relating 
to Armenia. AGBU Central Board Member Arda Haratunian moderated the discussions 
by high profile female leaders in various fields: Astrid Panosyan, Entrepreneur 
and Politician (LREM); Emma Arakelyan, Author and NYU Professor; Valerie 
Toranian, Director of La Revue des Deux Mondes and former editor-in-chief of 
Elle magazine in France; and Isabelle Capron, Vice President of Icicle Shanghai 
Fashion Group. 

Picking up on the many threads of ideas and concepts that emerged throughout 
the panels, President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian took to the podium to 
describe his vision of Armenia in light of the rapid succession of smaller 
evolutions that continue to transform the landscape of “Start Up Armenia” in 
ways previously unimagined. He noted that, at the end of the day, these quantum 
leaps of technological wonders must be mastered to remain consistent with our 
national morals and values. 

The conference concluded with presentations on AGBU initiatives and 
partnerships. AGBU Armenia Executive Director Talar Kazanjian on what the 
organization is doing to spur entrepreneurism among women in Armenia. She was 
followed by entrepreneur and founder of Hyetech Europe Armen Verdian and 
Digital Transformation Lead at Brenntag Haik Khanamiryan, who spoke about AGBU 
Europe’s Goriz Leadership program, designed to help young leaders collectively 
represent the Armenian identity as global citizens. 

In addition to the all-day conference, other opportunities for dialogue and 
idea exchange were organized for AGBU network representatives and Young 
Professional attendees. These adjunct events included a workshop for the AGBU 
regional leadership with Central Board members and two forums for Young 
Professionals to exchange ideas.
 
As the GA weekend concluded, participants prepared to leave Paris with a 
broader understanding of just how much the Armenian world is empowered by, and 
in turn, inspires the rest of the world. “After four full days of thoughtful 
reflection, stimulating conversations, celebrations and recognition of so many 
exemplary individuals in our midst,” President Setrakian said, “there is no 
doubt that AGBU is ready to take the next big leap into the future as a united 
force for good— across our communities, throughout Armenia, and in the world.”

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit 
organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, 
cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a 
difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the 
Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: 
to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. To learn more visit 
www.agbu.org.

Eduard Nalbandian: