AGBU Press Office
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Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday,
AGBU CONVENES 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN PARIS
On February 9, Armenians from all over the world gathered in Paris to
participate in AGBU's 90th General Assembly at Les Jardins de Saint Dominique.
Convened biennially to discuss the organization's state of affairs, the event
unites AGBU members in considering contemporary realities facing the Armenian
world, celebrating AGBU's accomplishments and establishing the guiding
principles of the coming years.
An institutional tradition that has carried AGBU through more than a century
globally, the General Assembly serves to strengthen the message of the
organization, welcome new membership and celebrate accomplished leadership.
Because of recent developments in contemporary Armenian history, the Assembly
focused on how recognizing, empowering and mobilizing potential in AGBU
communities is vital for sustainable political, social and economic development
in Armenia and across the world.
"We must remain relevant and serve as champions of Armenian interests. We
should be in a constant state of evolution," AGBU President Berge Setrakian
said, addressing the Assembly. "We must ask ourselves at all times: Are we
speaking to the timely concerns of every generation? Are we addressing global
issues? And most of all, can we amplify our voice as a united people, giving
credence to the concept of being 'a small republic that is a global nation'?"
Reaching Armenians across the world and having them engage with AGBU means
recognizing Armenians for the many identities they carry. The diversity of the
members that gathered in Paris to participate this year aligned with the
shifting narrative of Armenian identity and as such, the guiding principles
measuring official membership in AGBU. "This is why our General Assembly has
just adopted an amendment to our bylaws including anyone who believes in the
values of our organization as a welcome member," President Setrakian announced,
"And now, we must find ways to reach all of these Armenians." The spirit of
finding unity in diversity and recognizing how AGBU organizes communities
across the world evolved as the underlying theme of the meeting and throughout
the weekend events.
During the General Assembly four new board members: Haig Ariyan of New York,
Nadia Gortzounian of France, Vartkess Knadjian of Belgium and Ari Libarikian of
New York.
Haig Ariyan is the president and CEO of Alex Brown and serves as head of
Raymond James Global Wealth Solutions. He had previously worked at Dean Witter
Reynolds, where he launched his career in financial services. Ariyan is a
member of the board of trustees of the Diocese of the Armenian Church and has
served as chairman of the Armenian Church Endowment Fund's investment
committee. He is also a member of the board of trustees of St. Nersess Seminary
and sits on the board of the Dadourian Foundation.
Nadia Gortzounian enjoyed a 28-year career in the pharmaceutical industry at
Merck & Co. in France and she has spent her last 15 years with Merck as
business unit director for primary care products. Appointed president of AGBU
France in October 2015 and president of AGBU Europe in 2016, she has
spearheaded the development of strategic objectives for the region. Long
involved in the Armenian community in France, Gortzounian is the treasurer and
general secretary of CCAF (Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations in
France), and a member of the board of the Bullukian Foundation in Lyon.
Vartkess Knadjian is the chief executive of Backes & Strauss. Serving as
president of AGBU Belgium from 1992 to 2005, he has also been closely involved
with Armenia since 1993, when he first started working with the Shoghakan
Diamond Factory. Knadjian is the co-founder of the Armenian Jewelers'
Association and established the Armenian Jewelers' Foundation to raise funds
for research on the history of Armenian jewelers, traders and stone merchants.
He is a partner in Lori Diamond Factory in Nor Keghi, Armenia.
Ari Libarikian is a senior partner with McKinsey & Company in New York and the
leader of the Digital McKinsey Northeast location, focused on helping a broad
set of clients across sectors develop and drive digital strategies, and
leverage operations and technology to drive business value. Prior to joining
McKinsey, he held various positions at Nortel Networks and Bell Labs focused on
developing and testing next-generation telecommunications technologies. He
currently serves on the board of the Children's Aid Society in New York.
The AGBU Council of Trustees also saw change in leadership as Vatche Manoukian,
prominent philanthropist and businessman, was announced as chairman. He will
serve alongside RA President Armen Sarkissian, Eric Esrailian, Sam Simonian,
Sinan Sinanian and AGBU President Berge Setrakian, as ex-officio member. Former
members of the Council of Trustees Sarkis Demirdjian, Louise Manoogian Simone,
Richard Manoogian, Nazar Nazarian and Karnig Yacoubian became Emeritus
Trustees.
At the Assembly, French politician Patrick Devedjian was honored with the
Boghos Nubar Award, the highest honor AGBU bestows upon community members who
elevate others and work tirelessly in service of society. From lawyer to
minister, parliamentarian to mayor, and now president of the Hauts de Seine
General Council, Devedjian was recognized for his prominent career as an
attorney, ceaselessly championing human rights throughout his 35 years of
public service. "The son of an Armenian father who survived the Genocide
himself, Patrick has created an impressive career throughout his years of
public service but has never abandoned the mantle of defending the voiceless,"
began AGBU President Setrakian, "His work honors the legacy of the victims of
the Armenian Genocide, and the strength of both the survivors and the freedom
fighters of the Armenian cause." 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
trivialisation of all events classed as genocide, crimes against humanity, war
crimes or slavery punishable crimes. 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.
Esteemed community leaders 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 recognized
by executive leadership in front of an audience of peers, celebrated for their
valiant efforts in serving and maintaining the spirit of AGBU. Tamar Khabaian
was distinguished for her impassioned service as head secretary of the Syria
Central Committee and Educational Committee, overseeing the Health Care
Committee, the Editorial Board of the Hayatsk publication, and the Emergency
Relief Body in Syria. Regarded as the "armeniapedia" of the AGBU Brazil chapter
and a vital figure in organizing their Armenian volunteer kitchen, Monica
Nalbandian was celebrated as one of the longest serving members on their board
and an exemplar of service. Chair of AGBU Melbourne since 2003, Maral
Tchorbadjian was recognized for establishing a presence in and building
networks across her city, all while being instrumental in raising funds and
mobilizing her community members to build a brand-new facility. With almost
three decades of service, Herminé Duzian, the AGBU Diaspora Youth Programs
Chief Coordinator in Armenia and Europe, was honored for her boundless efforts
in engaging youth and connecting new generations to their identity.
Along with community leaders and active citizens in the Armenian world, 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. Serving a thriving and dynamic community of Armenians in
Argentina, the AGBU Buenos Aires chapter was recognized for its impeccable
dedication to excellence and outreach to their local community. Particularly
notable was their Armenian Restaurant initiative. Both a fundraising operation
and a meaningful social gathering, the restaurant is renowned in Buenos Aires
and the money made by the youth staff goes towards their annual trip to
Armenia; to this day, over 900 young Armenians from Buenos Aires have visited
the homeland because of this unique initiative. AGBU Buenos Aires Chair Ruben
Kedikian accepted the award on behalf of the chapter.
Both YP Greater New York and YP Northern California were celebrated for over
two decades of galvanizing the newest generation of leadership in the Armenian
world with their dynamic spirit of service and activism. YPGNY Chair William
Nazarian and YPNC Chair David Ojakian were present to accept the awards on
behalf of their groups. From coordinating unique fundraising opportunities to
programming original educational forums, these YP groups distinguished
themselves as communities that can be mobilized when nurtured. To continue to
facilitate this growth and participation worldwide, all YP groups were
officially recognized as permanent entities of AGBU at the General Assembly,
with language reflecting their new status in the by-laws.
While the Assembly celebrated past achievements by honoring these dynamic
community leaders, members were also encouraged to look to the future. "We've
been called upon to navigate uncharted waters that require flexibility,
ingenuity, vision and above all, unity. Finding a solution is no simple task.
But one part of the answer is clear," President Setrakian explained. "We, here
in this room are in a position to provide. We must provide opportunity. We must
provide a forum for growth. And we must provide a means to engage all Armenians
across the globe and speak to the interests of the new generation."
As the 90th General Assembly came to an end, participants left Les Jardins de
Saint Dominique with evidence that AGBU is evolving with its community,
embracing progressive definitions of Armenian identity, while honoring its
centuries-old tradition of empowering Armenians worldwide.
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.