On Tuesday, over 100 members of the Armenian-Australian community attended the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia's (AYF Australia) inaugural Panel Discussion held at The Urban in St Leonards. Panellists answered pre-sent web questions, as well as questions from the audience, reaching consensus on a number of points surrounding the topic 'Beyond Recognition' of the Armenian Genocide.
The panel, mediated by ANC Australia Communications Officer Mr. Haig Kayserian, was made up of respected community members, including Ms. Gladys Berejiklian (NSW Member of Parliament for Willoughby), Mr. Varant Meguerditchian (President of ANC Australia), Mr. Greg Soghomonian (Political Advisor), Mr. Sassoon Grigorian (Former Senior Advisor to NSW Premier), Mr. Vicken Babkenian (Director of Australian Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies) and Mr. Kevork Sarhad Tufenkjian (Chairperson of AYF Australia Chairperson).
Questions to panellists included 'Will Obama use the G word?', 'Is US recognition enough?', 'What about Federal Australian recognition?', 'Is Armenia ready for open borders?', 'Will land be returned?', 'Is the diaspora community prepared for goals post recognition?'.
In summing up the event, panel mediator Mr. Kayserian said: "Panellists obviously felt recognition is closer than it has been in 94 years due to the rise of liberals in Turkey, Barack Obama's standing as a human rights advocate, Armenia-Turkey relations and scholarly, high-profile condemnation of Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide.
"But a concern is that recognition on its own will not satisfy the diaspora community."
He added:"Panellists were also in agreement that Armenian Genocide recognition will not mean Armenians around the world, and in Australia, will fall apart because a major goal has been reached."
This sentiment was echoed by panellist Mr. Soghomonian.
"Armenians always rise to the challenge and I believe we will rise to this challenge when it presents itself," he said.
The panel discussion was a tremendous success according to all concerned and is an initiative AYF Australia will repeat in the future.
"Half the room was filled with youth and this is the target market for AYF Australia," said Chairperson, Mr. Tufenkjian. "We are very encouraged by the attendance and participation of our audience and have heard the message loud and clear that such events must form a part of the community's permanent landscape."
