NEW JERSEY: Representatives of Armenia Revolutionary Federation Bureau, Central Committees and Armenian National Committees (ANC)s from the Americas and Australia gathered in New Jersey for a weekend conference to further the Armenian Cause.
The conference addressed the broad range of advocacy challenges and opportunities facing Diasporan communities in these regions, as they work toward a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide, security for the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, autonomy and socio-economic development for the Javakhk region of Georgia, and a stronger Republic of Armenia.
Among the strategies considered during the in-depth seminars were those to counter Turkish denial of the Armenian Genocide, overcome Ankara’s ongoing efforts to obstruct justice, and move toward Turkey’s acceptance of state responsibility and undertaking for a fair, comprehensive and lasting resolution of this crime against Armenians and humanity at large.
The conference explored new avenues to defend the right to self-determination of the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and ensure its security, socio-economic development and international status.Â
The participants also discussed means for advancing the right of the people of the Javakhk region to local self-governance, political autonomy and socio-economic development within a democratic and federated Georgia.Â
Important consideration was given as well to the support required for the development of the Republic of Armenia, including the advocacy required for establishing bilateral cooperation & development programs between various countries with significant and active Armenian communities and the Republic of Armenia.Â
Conference participants also exchanged ideas about emerging common issues in view of strengthening the influence and activism of the Armenian communities in the Western hemisphere, including ways to increase the youth’s involvement in the public & political life of their countries at all levels (local, provincial/state and federal).
The Conference provided a forum for the attending community leaders to share best-practices and to develop new approaches to strengthen community advocacy capacity, to utilize creative organizing tools, and to implement new technology and social media strategies to further support the achievement of ANC goals.
The New Jersey conference is part of a worldwide series of ARF consultations. ANC conferences for the regions of the Middle East and Europe were held at the end of last year, in Beirut and Paris respectively.
Representing Australia at the conference was ARF Australia Tro Committee member Haig Kayserian and ANC Australia Executive Director Varant Meguerditchian.
