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Home , Armenian diaspora, Repatriation

Facts &figures Law on (Art. 1,10, 12.1,Law onCitizenship(Art. 13)isavailable at: https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/51b770884.pdf Law oftheRepublic 9, ofArmeniaon Foreigners (Art. 15,16, 18) isavailable at:https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6b4ec2c.html isavailable4 Constitution at:https://www.president.am/en/constitution-2015/ 47) oftheRepublic ofArmenia(Art. elections, available inArmenianat:https://www.arlis.am/DocumentView.aspx?DocID=105967 3 TheElectionCode oftheRepublic abroad ofArmeniastipulated: Armeniancitizensresiding do nothaverightto vote inthe national 13.12 Article oftheLaw ontheCitizenshipofRepublic ofArmeniahttps://www.refworld.org/pdfid/51b770884.pdf menia, https://www.gov.am/files/docs/2219.pdf 325-328 31, էջ 2017, Հրատ., Հեղ. Եր.։ աշխարհում։ հարափոփոխ „ArmenianDiaspora inaChangingWorld“60.000. H.Hakobyan Yerevan, (2017) pages 325-328. [ tries ofdestinationmigrants: approx. 2.5million, 600.000, Ukraine 400.000, 250.000, Spain80.000, million withapproximately 1.5millionintheEU. Themaincountries ofdestinationthediaspora alsodifferent are from the top coun conducted by the researcher,to interviews the literature, the total size of thediaspora as well as the Armenian government, is close to 7 1 Itisimportant to mentionthatnumbers greatly onemigration inArmeniadueto itslong anddiaspora history. vary According 1

% ofemigrants in 2 total population

by nationality, ethnicArmenians,Armenian origin,Armenianethnicity. different translations inEnglishthelegal actssuchas: Armeniansbynationalorigin, law. However, theArmenianterm « Terminology: Theterms ‘diaspora’ and ‘diaspora members’ not defined byArmenia´snational are 3

4

inflow(USD million): Remittances asashareofGDP: 1 Diaspora engagementmapping % ofwhich in theEU ազգությամբ հայեր ազգությամբ

11.9 1,558 % Germany Ukraine USA Russia Top countries ofdestination Political rights ]; Armenian Government, 2017 Program 2017 oftheGovernmentAr ]; ArmenianGovernment, » isusedbylawmakers. Thisterm has Dual citizenship for citizensresidingabroad Right tovote innationalelections 4 Հակոբյան Հ. Հ., Հայկական սփյուռքը 21,263 47,780 101,757 527,163 2

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ARMENIA . - 6 - - 5 entitled “Ties states Diaspora” with the Armenian has been pending adoption at the Armenian Parliament Parliament has been pending adoption at the Armenian 5 defined priorities, measures and responsibilities of the Governmental defined priorities, measures 7 foresees the creation and adoption of the Law on Repatriation by the Government in on Repatriation and adoption of the Law creation the foresees Armenia does not have a diaspora engagement policy. engagement a diaspora does not have Armenia and seen as the country’s development. positive demographic hope for biggest 8 Art of Armenia Constitution 19 of the countries, Armenia has a common understanding that the diaspora has a huge potential potential has a huge that the diaspora understanding Armenia has a common countries, is the largest to its homeland. The and brings social and financial capital investor Trends: Trends: trend: verya has Armenia Overall historyrich engagement. a is it Although diaspora of than the population be two to is estimated times bigger its diaspora relatively small country, with active in engaging been quite has traditionally The Armenian diaspora of the country. the world, many of whom now around There are organisations plenty of diaspora the country. Union Soviet other Former or other Armenian cities. Unlike in Yerevan have their own branches

Homeland, and improve the demographic situation in Armenia. At the time of writing, the Standing the the time of writing, Armenia. At situation in demographic the improve and Homeland, on Repatriation work on the Law had begun to Sport and Youth, on Science, Diaspora, Education, Committee version of the draft available. but thereis currently Office law no official with the High Commissioner in the resolution of pan-Armenian issues; and supporting the establishment of the organisations of the organisations and supporting the establishment issues; in the resolution of pan-Armenian representing the Diaspora. Program Action preserve to in order of the repatriation process The law framework a regulate the legal aims to 2020. in the repatriation, consolidate promote Diaspora, comprehensive tie with the Armenian According to the Programme, the national government is in charge of creating and developing and developing creating of in charge is government the national Programme, the to According and economic educational and cultural, networks in the scientific, professional, pan-Armenian Armenia; and communities between sustainable relations building fields; other diaspora Armenian deepening and expanding Armenia- for and programmes measures and implementing adopting repatriation as a priority; and promoting strengthening considering pan- cooperation; Diaspora role and other institutions and their and educational, cultural Armenian national, spiritual, scientific since 2002 because national authorities do not want to be perceived as encouraging emigration be perceived as encouraging to because national authorities do not want 2002 since employment has to of the overseas bodies have not agreed on how the process The governmental country. in the and managed be licenced Decision No 65-A Government between Armenia and diaspora. a comprehensive cooperation achieve to in order Programme Regulation of Overseas Employment (draft) of Overseas Employment (draft) Regulation

The government has been working on a diaspora engagement policy for years but because of inter but years policy for engagement on a diaspora has been working The government priority and a high Armenia is politicized in affairs Diaspora materialised. it has not yet nal politics, issues are of the country´s instrument substantial also a of the state. Diaspora and domestic foreign agenda. at the devel implement a policy targeted Diaspora, with the Armenian together that Armenia shall, and preservation ties opment of comprehensive repatriation. Armenian identity of the and promote

7 The Government Decision No 65-A dated the 8 February 2019 “On the Programme of the Government of the Republic of Armenia” of the Government of the Republic the Programme the 8 February dated “On 2019 7 The Government Decision No 65-A https://www.gov.am/files/docs/3562.pdf https://asue.am/en/amberd/research/diaspo 8 ASUE (2015): Prospects Development the RA into Economy: Investments of Diaspora ras-investments-armenian-economy-development 5 https://www.president.am/en/constitution-2015/ AS in Armenia. CARIM-East Governance Migration. of Labour Aspects K. (2012): & Harutyunyan, on Legal Perspectives 6 Bournazian, V. at http://www.carim-east.eu/media/CARIM-East-AS2012-07.pdf Available 2012/07

• • Overview of the policy framework and legislative

2019 2023

2019 2002

ARMENIA 12 Page 6.,http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/301351468206660466/pdf/393810AM0Diasporas0contribution01PUBLIC1.pdf 11 https://www.tert.am/en/news/2019/02/12/nikol-pashinyan/2919488 10 https://www.idea.am/armenia-2020 press.am/eng/news/1000508/ Strong (2019): 9 Armenianpress Armenia-Strong Diaspora. TheHighCommissioner for Diaspora Affairs sumsupthe year. https://armen • • • • • Obstacles • • • • • language. often finditdifficult to followtheschoolcurriculumbecauseofalackknowledge oftheArmenian Language knowledge: starting anewbusinessinArmenia. hesitate becauseof theriskoflosingtheiroverseas businessandtheuncertainties surrounding and programmes alsoneeded.Potential often repatriates are businessrelocation supporting summarising andproviding detailed information inaneasily understandable manner. Mechanisms agencies provide selectinformation ontheirwebpages. However, isnooneunifiedplatform there framework repatriation: and informationLack of policy to support thelevel ofmutualtrustisquite low.below itspotential. Furthermore, diaspora isnotsufficiently relation] organized”. andwhat theestimated influencethe diaspora is.Thesystem hasineach [of state- specific country Insufficient information andtrustmeasures: competing and/or interests overlappingmandates. Overlapping mandatesandcompetencies: corruption andsettingupmechanismsofmutualaccountability. isaneedto fight there contributions beingwellspentandhaveapositiveimpactonthecountry are framework: Lack of policy their impact. their impact. programmes to studyandcompare repatriation opportunity from othercountries including In 2020, thePan-Armenian Forum willfocus on“Diaspora andRepatriation”. Itwillprovide an Armeniancy Armenian shouldwant to withthehomelandand to connect beinspired hisidentity Repatriation onrepatriation. rhetoric isthat“Every dual citizenship and inadoptinglaws Repatriation: 1999, thestate ofArmeniahasheldsixPan-Armenian Forums. educationalandcultural affairssocial, political,scientific, toArmenia.Sinceare apriority Diaspora engagement: Achievements: Armenia andArmenians. country. Armenia2030 focuses onstrategic analysisoflong-term for growth opportunities ledto strategicArmenia. Theseexercises prioritiesfor Armenia,bothinsideandoutsidethe launchedbyprominentwere diaspora development prospects Armeniansto identify for Financial and social capital: ”. 9 Armeniahasahuge diaspora insupporting interest Armeniansinobtaining

Repatriates and their family members, school-aged in particular, children Inorder thatdiaspora to buildmutualtrustandinsure investmentsand Participation ofDiaspora ArmeniansinArmenia´sprogrammes on TheArmenia2020 andsubsequentArmenia2030 Initiative Diaspora organisations andstate actors often have The state still lacks knowledge on “what potentials Thestate stilllacks knowledge on “what 11 Consequently, thediaspora mobilization remains 12 Thevarious government 10

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ARMENIA - - - 16 15 for young entrepreneurs of Armenian descent who wish to bring their bring to who wish entrepreneursyoung descent of Armenian for 14 , Armenia engaged its diaspora to assist in the fight against the virus. The fight against assist in the to its diaspora , Armenia engaged 13 Six start-ups received government grants of between grants $ 15,000 - $30,000. received government Six start-ups

14 http://neruzh.am/en 14 http://neruzh.am/en Concept LEAD-Armenia 15 ICMPD. at: Available Armenpress to news agency. Sinanyan 16 An interview Zareh the High Commissioner https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1000508.html 13 https://www.evnreport.com/readers-forum/armenia-combats-the-coronavirus-state-capacity-and-the-diaspora 13 https://www.evnreport.com/readers-forum/armenia-combats-the-coronavirus-state-capacity-and-the-diaspora preservation of the Armenian identity in the Diaspora. In 2018, 400 Armenian youth from 24 countries countries 24 preservation 400 Armenian youth from In 2018, of the Armenian identity in the Diaspora. part. took 28 countries youth participants 357 from in 2019, Home programme; in the Step participated This programme is organised for diaspora youth by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Af for Diaspora Commissioner of the High Office youth by the diaspora for is organised This programme homeland and its recognise their to living abroad youth Armenian for possible it make is to The aim fairs. ties and the the strengthening to of Armenia-Diaspora and thus contribute values, linguistic and cultural Step Home Step future investment scheme for Armenian banks and other financial institutions and raise on and and other financial institutions awareness Armenian banks future scheme for investment communities. investment opportunities among Armenian migrant The Republic of Armenia in close cooperation with ICMPD will launch the LEAD-Armenia project in summer project LEAD-Armenia with ICMPD will launch the cooperation in close of Armenia The Republic businesses investments, encourage the number of migration-related increase aims to The project 2020. investment instruments as a diaspora and innovative diverse develop jobs in Armenia. It will and create LEAD-Armenia project LEAD-Armenia In December 2019, the Neruzh programme hosted 80 individuals representing 47 start-ups from 17 from coun representing 80 individuals hosted 47 start-ups programme the Neruzh 2019, In December world. the tries around of 6 are eligible to apply. At least one (co)founder should be of Armenian descent. The target sectors of the of sectors should be of Armenian descent. The target (co)founder one least At of 6 are apply. eligible to will be agriculture, technologies. innovative and tourism programme The Republic of Armenia in close cooperation with the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology and Technology Armenian Science for with the Foundation of Armenia in close cooperation The Republic programme Neruzh runs the (FAST) a maximum who have lived in Armenia for 18-35 Armenia. Armenians aged to and projects ideas start-up Neruzh programme professionals’ skills and knowledge have been used to collectively manage the pandemic with national the pandemic with manage collectively have been used to skills and knowledge professionals’ authorities. During the Covid-19 outbreak During the Covid-19 of the Ministry the needs in bridging role key a the sup Health and played of Affairs Diaspora of Office care health Diaspora provide,the ground. online or on could care professionals health port that Diaspora Covid-19 response Covid-19 Effective and innovative practices and innovative Effective

YOUTH INVESTMENT ENTREPRENEUSHIP HEALTHCARE

ARMENIA components: ofcompatriots andreturn livinginthediaspora.the repatriation Theprogramme consists ofthefollowing demographic challenges byencouraging The programme willstart in2020 andwilltackle thecountry’s Repatriation Support Programme opment process, promoting Armenia-Diaspora partnership andcontributing to ‘reverse brain drain’. programme. 2020, running for at least 12 months. The Office of theHigh Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs funds the A pilotsub-project organising internships for youngspecialistsfrom thediaspora willbelaunchedon1July 24 workers youngcommunity from sixcountries participated intheproject. The programme aimsatpromoting leadership, community organisation community andcohesion. In2019, Young Leaders Training Programme 19 For each euro invested, aeuro isgivenbythestate https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1001611.html? 18 Diaspora-Armenian specialistscanparticipateinArmenia’s governance: newproject coming soon”available at: https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1000508.html? theHighCommissioner Aninterview Zareh17 Sinanyan newsagency. to Armenpress Available at: • • • • • • • • development aswellto improving thedemographic situation. economic in Armeniaandimplement their business ideas, contributing thereby to the country’s Small andMedium BusinessGrants (1 +1) introduction ofappropriate legal, financialandorganisational programmes administrated bythe State; Housing assistance andmortgage lendingrates for andtheirfamily repatriates members through the Language courses for andtheirfamily repatriates members; Providing information for andlogisticalsupport andtheirfamily repatriates members; 18 Itaimsto and knowledge invest the experience ofthediasporainArmenia’s experts devel 19 toresources to enablerepatriates investtheirfinancial 17 -

RETURN YOUTH

ARMENIA - - - https://www.gov.am/en/staff-structure/ https://www.mfa.am/en/mission https://www.mfa.am/en/mission At sub-ministerial level At At ministerial level ministerial At { { { { National institutions • well as at strengthening pan-Armenian targeted programmes, and at providing support for repatriation support for and at providing programmes, targeted well as at strengthening pan-Armenian The Ministry of Armenia from cooperation. of the Republic and enhancing Armenia-diaspora of Diaspora these functions until its abolishment in June 2019. performed 2008 Under the Prime Minister’s office, the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs aims at devel aims Affairs for Diaspora Under the Prime Minister’s Commissioner office, of the High the Office development, partnership policy the state on Armenia-Diaspora as and coordinating implementing oping, Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs for Diaspora Commissioner of the High Office https://www.e-gov.am/decrees/item/20354/ https://www.gov.am/en/diaspora-affairs/ vision and laws governing those areas. vision and lawsthose areas. governing Based at the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, the committee activities centre on science, of Armenia, the committee of the Republic Based at the National Assembly tele press, radio, culture,education, youth, sports, information, repatriation, relations diaspora, the with Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Diaspora, Youth and Sport Youth Diaspora, Education, Culture, on Science, Standing Committee http://www.parliament.am/committees.php?do=show&ID=111201&lang=eng The ministry plays a key role in maintaining relations with Armenians living abroad and strengtheningThe ministry co relations in maintaining living abroad with Armenians role plays a key with friendly and partner countries. operation Ministry of Armenia Affairs of Foreign The PM’s office aims to reaffirm pan-Armenity Republic of Armenia and as a priority reflecting the of the new reaffirm toaims office The PM’s relations. of Armenia-Diaspora context of Armenia in the policy by the Government of the Republic pursued Prime Minister’s Office of the Republic of Armenia Prime Minister’s of the Office • Diaspora related institutions related Diaspora Annex: Actors List of

ARMENIA tion, includingeducationgrant for Armeniandiaspora. in Lisbon,Portugal. Itsmainpurposeisto improve oflife charity, quality through art, science andeduca Founded byaprominent Armeniandiaspora member, Gulbenkian,thefoundation was established in1956 Calouste GulbenkianFoundation humanitarian programmes. for projects contributing to thesocio-economic development ofArmenia the manychapters andmembers oftheorganisation inEurope andbyhelpingto develop andfundraise ops pan-European activities to the AGBU further mission by bringing together, andmobilising supporting non-profit organisation devoted to upholdingtheArmenianheritage. AGBU coordinates anddevel Established in2009 inBelgium, Armenian General Benevolent UnionEurope(AGBU Europe) Diaspora organisationsinEurope March 2020March Edited by: Written by: 22 http://www.ccaf.info 21 https://gulbenkian.pt/en/ 20 http://www.agbueurope.eu andtheState thecommunity asliaisonbetween bodies. serving the collective of and the toArmenian community viewpoint on mattersrepresent of public policy, while of theArmenianGenocideperpetrated bytheOttoman Turkish Governmentin1915,to defend theinterests CCAF Conseil deCoordination des OrganisationsArméniennesdeFrance Development activities 22 - was created withthemainobjectiveofcoordinating activitiesto fightthedenial intra-community EUDiF Dr OlgaRGulina 20 AGBU Europe istheEuropean armoftheinternational AGBU, thelargest 21 Find out more at

1956 Portugal www.diasporadevelopment.eu 2009 Europe 2001 France

through educational,cultural and - -

ARMENIA