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The Armenian Weekly; Volume 74, No. 5; Feb. 9, 2008
AYF section:
1. Armenian Weekly Welcomes New AYF Page Editor
2. The Task Ahead
3. AYF Convention Sets Course for 2008
4. AYF Protests Wexler, Promotes Graber
5. AYF Participates in IUSY World Congress
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1. Armenian Weekly Welcomes New AYF Page Editor
The Weekly welcomes new AYF page editor Serouj Aprahamian to its editorial
staff. Aprahamian will work with the Weekly editor and the AYF chapters in
the Eastern Region to provide the AYF page with fresh news, features and
photos each week.
Aprahamian recently graduated from American University with a Master’s
Degree in international relations. He has long been involved with the AYF
and has held executive positions in both the Orange County, Calif., and
Washington, D.C. AYF chapters. In 2005, he served as the coordinator of
"March for Humanity"-a 215-mile march in commemoration of the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian genocide. He has also twice directed the AYF
Summer Internship Program in Yerevan, Armenia. He currently lives in
Washington, D.C., and directs the ANCA’s Capital Gateway Program.
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2. The Task Ahead
What is to be done? This has been the indelible question burning inside
concerned citizens of all stripes since the beginning of time. For Armenian
youth living in the United States, this continues to be an especially
important question; one that is, too often, left unanswered-or, worse yet,
not even asked.
There are plenty of issues we face that beg this question and require an
adequate response. How can we maintain our culture, achieve justice for the
crimes committed against our people and contribute to the development of
Armenia? These are only a few of the many questions the AYF has grappled
with throughout its three-quarters of a century of existence.
We have sought to answer such questions with not only words but countless
deeds and actions. As we continue to provide answers through our centralized
events and programs, our work in local communities, and the dedication of
our grassroots membership, we also seek to think of new ways to best reach
our goals and adapt to changing conditions.
This page will strive to carry on this legacy by doing three very important
things: remembering the past, reporting on the present, and contemplating
our future. It will recall the important lessons passed down to us from our
history, inform readers of what is being and can be done in various
communities, and stimulate thought on critical issues facing the Armenian
youth of today.
We not only plan to ask what is to be done, we plan on showing what the AYF
is doing and where we want to see ourselves and our nation in the future.
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3. AYF Convention Sets Course for 2008
On Dec. 26, 2007, AYF delegates representing eleven chapters from across the
Eastern U.S. came together in Warwick, R.I. for the 74th Annual AYF-YOARF
Convention. Over the next five days, these delegates carefully evaluated the
performance of the AYF throughout 2007 and made decisions effectively
setting the direction of the organization for the coming year.
Some of the key issues decided upon at this year’s Convention included
improving ties with AYF sister organizations and alumni, working more
closely with Camp Haiastan and reinvigorating the work of chapters on the
local level. "My personal vision is to strengthen the individual chapters
and return the AYF to a grassroots organization," said Anthony Deese, the
newly elected Chairman of the AYF-YOARF Central Executive. "For too many
years, the organization has operated ‘top-heavy’ with many large regional
initiatives and few strong local activities. Through field-working, this
year’s CE will facilitate the chapters’ leadership to take the steps
necessary to change this."
Another major topic at Convention was the fact that 2008 will mark the 75th
anniversary of the AYF. There was a great deal of discussion regarding how
to commemorate this major milestone. "We intend to celebrate and remember
the years past and the members that made the organization such a success,"
said Lauren Da Silva, a returning member of AYF-YOARF Central Executive. "We
will use this opportunity to educate members (and non-members) on some of
the major accomplishments of the AYF."
In addition to AYF members in attendance, representatives from the AYF
Olympic Governing Body, Camp Haiastan, the ANC Eastern Region, the AYF
Western U.S. Central Executive, ARS Eastern Region and the ARF Central
Committee were also on hand to observe and offer their remarks. Knar
Kitabjian, representing the AYF Western Region, underscored the importance
of her participation saying, "Discussing matters with our ungers in other
regions allows for an exchange of ideas and solutions within the AYF.
Because of my participation at the East Coast Convention, I feel a greater
dialogue has begun between the CE’s from both coasts."
After successfully completing its various agenda items, the Convention
concluded with the election of the 2008 AYF-YOARF Central Executive. The
following members were elected to this year’s CE: Anthony Deese of
Philadelphia, Lauren Da Silva of Greater Boston, Antranig Megerdichian of
New Jersey, Jim Kzirian of Philadelphia, Mher Janian of New York, Razmig
Tchaghlasian of New Jersey, and Melineh Ounanian, also from New Jersey. This
seven-person team will serve as the supreme administrative and
representative body for the AYF-YOARF Eastern Region in 2008. They look
forward to setting in motion the course for another successful 75 years.
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4. AYF Protests Wexler, Promotes Graber
Armenian-American activists and human rights supporters from throughout
Florida gathered on Jan. 12 in front of Sanborn Square in Boca Raton to
simultaneously protest the policies of Congressman Robert Wexler (D-Fla.),
and to support the candidacy of his main Democratic primary challenger,
Benjamin Graber.
The rally was organized by the AYF and co-sponsored by the ANC of South
Florida, the Armenian Student Association, and the Cyprus Action Network of
America (CANA). It was the latest in a series of actions organized by the
AYF to put pressure on Wexler for his virulent opposition to the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Over 200 anti-genocide activists and Graber supporters took part in the
rally, as they chanted slogans and held up signs reading "Vote Graber in
2008" and "Down with Wexler." Phil Nigon, an AYF member in attendance,
commented on the event’s success saying, "It was very encouraging to see
such a strong showing from the local Armenian community in Florida. With
continued activism, I have no doubt that come November, another genocide
denier will be removed from public office."
The rally in Florida comes just a few months after the Providence
"Vartanian" AYF chapter confronted Wexler in October with a protest in
front of a Brown University auditorium where he was scheduled to give a
speech. Wexler, who co-chairs the Congressional Turkish Caucus, has been
visibly caught off-guard by the rising tide of discontent against his
pro-Turkish positions. The Armenian and Greek communities in his district
have been especially keen on mobilizing to have his seat replaced by Mr.
Graber.
"Our activists in Congerssman Wexler’s district are ready for change, and
congressional candidate Benjamin Graber has proven to be the right man that
will represent us in Washington," commented ANCA-Eastern Region executive
director, Karine Birazian. "The AYF and ANC of South Florida, along with
other ethnic organizations, will work hard in the coming months to see that
Ben Graber is elected."
To find out more about Graber’s campaign for Florida’s 19th Congressional
District seat, visit
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5. AYF Participates in IUSY World Congress
The AYF recently participated in the 27th World Congress of the
International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), held in the Dominican
Republic from Jan. 25-27, reported the ARF Bureau Youth Office.
The Congress was called to order with over 150 delegates representing 68
countries, including Armenia. Among the keynote speakers during the Congress’
opening session were leading Dominican presidential candidate Miguel Vargas
Maldonado and Secretary General of the Socialist International (SI), Luis
Ayala.
The AYF took part in the three-day Congress with two delegates, Vache
Thomassian of the Western Region of the U.S. and Harout Manougian of Canada.
As a full-member of the IUSY, the AYF participated in various regional panel
discussions and electoral decisions of the Congress. The two delegates also
introduced a resolution calling for the peaceful settlement of the conflict
in Nagorno-Karabakh.
When the resolution was brought up, Thomassian took to the floor of the
plenary session and stressed the importance of having the Congress call for
peace in Nagorno-Karabakh, stating, "It is important to reaffirm people’s
right to self-determination and at the same time condemn belligerent
rhetoric from the government of Azerbaijan." However, it was ultimately
decided that the resolution would not be voted on and instead was sent to
the Black Sea regional committee for discussion.
Thomassian and Manougian took advantage of their off time at the Congress to
hold discussions and build cordial relations with various delegations
participating from around the world. In particular, warm ties were
established and with the French, Belgian, Danish, Tibetan, Burmese and
Kurdish contingencies.
The Congress concluded with the election of a new IUSY international
governing body, consisting of Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand) as President and
Yvonne O’Callaghan (Ireland) as Secretary General.
IUSY is the youth counterpart to the SI and is made up of over 140 youth and
student organizations working to enhance principles of democratic socialism,
equality, human rights and social justice. For more information about IUSY
please visit
www.graberforcongress.com.
www.IUSY.org.