ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION AGBUAGBU ARMENIAARMENIA NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER Yerevan, Armenia IN THIS ISSUE ISSUE 10, OCTOBER-NOVEMBER, 2010 ♦ 86th AGBU General Assembly 86TH AGBU GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENED IN held in Buenos Aires (p. 1, 2) ♦ Vaskenian seminary - 20 (p. 3) BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA Eduardo Eurnekian named “AGBU’s Man of the Year” ♦ AGBU assists the 5th Republi- can chess olympiad (p. 3) The 86th General Assembly of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) ♦ AGBU in the 5th pan-Armenian was convened in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from October 13-17. The main issues of forum of journalists (p. 4) the GA agenda were the expansion of the Union’s programs carried out in Armenia, ♦ AVC’s increasing prominence formulation of new dis- in education process (p. 5) trict committees in vari- ♦ AVC Winter Term 2011 (p. 5) ous Armenian commu- nities of the Diaspora, ♦ AGBU Diaspora youth pro- allocation of financial grams for Summer 2011 (p. 6 ) resources for the im- ♦ Thoughts on a recent visit to plementation of the Armenia: Carl Kirakosian (p. 7) union’s programs, de- ♦ AGBU Yerevan Scouts visited velopment of the initia- Military Academy (p. 7) tives of the AGBU chapters, formation of ♦ Pan YP project in Khachik (p.8) a youth wing adjacent ♦ AGBU Yerevan YPs and Arme- to the Union’s Central nian bloggers in Karabakh (p.8) Board of Directors, as AGBU President Mr. Berge Setrakian awards prominent Argentinean- ♦ AGBU history in Russian (p. 9) well as the expansion of professional person- Armenian entrepreneur and philanthropist Mr. Eduardo Eurnekian ♦ ACO continues concerts in nel for the effective implementation of the programs. packed halls (p. 9) AGBU General Assembly started on October 13 with a concert of classical music ♦ Wisconsin Armenians help orphanage children (p. 9) hosted by the Ambassador of France to Argentina Jean-Pierre Astvadzadourian at the French Embassy of Argentina. After the concert, the delegates headed to the ♦ “St. Nerses Shnorhali” medal to AGBU headquarters on Armenia Street to attend the exhibition on the occasion of Avedis Demirdjian (p. 10) the 70th anniversary of the local AGBU Youth League. The following day, the GA ♦ Aris Atamian awarded “Na- participants were present at the AGBU Marie Manoogian Educational Institute’s pri- tional Order of Merit” (p. 10) mary class concert, toured the institution and visited the classrooms, exhibition halls ♦ AGBU school among “Best Ar- and sports facilities. menian School” winners (p.10) During the General Assembly members of the AGBU Central Board of Directors held ♦ RA ombudsman speaks at the meetings with chapter delegates discussing issues concerning the Union’s activities. European parliament (p. 11) AGBU Young Professionals from different countries also participated in the GA. Dur- ♦ First Ile-de-France-Armenia ing the meeting with the YPs AGBU President Berge Setrakian expressed his satis- Friendship Group (p. 12) faction with the growing number of the YPs and their activities in favor of their home- land. He also emphasized his determination to include youth in the Union’s admini- stration and encourage their ideas and activities. The GA sessions started on October 16 in the Buenos Aires Alex Manoogian Center presided over by President Berge Setrak- ian and with the participation of members of the AGBU Central Board of Directors. Over 200 delegates from Armenia, Austra- lia, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Russia, Switzerland, Syria, Uruguay, USA. Also present were Head of the Argentina and Chile Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Gisak Mouradian and RA Ambassador to AGBU Central Board of Directors Argentina Vladimir Karmirshalyan. at the 86th AGBU General Assembly in Buenos Aires (continued on page 2) Page 1 AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER ISSUE 10, OCTOBER-NOVEMBER, 2010 86TH AGBU GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENED... (see page 1) The Biennial Reports published in English and Armenian presented AGBU’s activities and financial over- view of the past two years. President Setrakian opened the Assembly with an encouraging speech presenting the challenges and achievements of the Union in 2008-2009. He mentioned that despite the financial difficulties all the projects of the AGBU branches and all the activities of the Union were successfully implemented. Sum- ming up the Union’s activities of the past two years AGBU Central Board member and Middle East repre- sentative Vasken Yacoubian presented four main di- rections: projects carried out in Armenia and Artsakh, education activities, chapter initiatives and youth pro- grams. The financial report of the Union was pre- sented by AGBU Central Board Treasurer Sam Simo- nian. After the reports submitted by advisers, dele- gates voted to elect Joseph Oughourlian of New York as new member of the Central Board of Directors, to replace Dr. Arshavir Gundjian, whose term as mem- ber expired, according to the AGBU by-laws provi- sions of reaching the age of 75. Mr. Setrakian thanked Dr. Gundjian for his lasting activities and Archbishop Gisak Mouradian reading Catholicos Karekin II’s pontifical dedication to the Union, highly praised his role and decrees addressed to Bedros Piandarian and Ruben Keshishian merit in national and public activities and wished him good health and vigor. Eight members of the Central Board were re-elected for a four-year term. In his speech RA Ambassador to Argentina Vladimir Karmirshalyan spoke about the historic importance of the AGBU foundation and its activities. Souvenirs and letters of gratitude were given to Regine Bazarian, Hakob Chamikian, Elizabeth Gyozukarayan and Antonio Sarafian by AGBU President Berge Setrakian for their continuous dedicated service to the Union. Finally, Archbishop Mouradian surprised all the delegates by reading Catholicos Karekin II’s pontifical decree addressed to Bedros Piandarian, long time financial director of AGBU Central Board of Directors in New York, and a second decree addressed to Ruben Keshishian, AGBU Central Board member and chairman of AGBU Buenos Aires Chapter, and decorated them with the St. Nerses Shnorhali medals. Closing the assembly President Setrakian highly praised the work of General Assembly organizing committee, coor- dinating bodies, members of the Buenos Aires chapter. After the adoption of the GA resolution, with Archbishop Gi- sak Mouradian’s prayer, the General Assembly concluded its sessions. On October 16, the presentation of the Spanish translations of Margaret Atjemian-Ahnert’s “The Knock at the Door” and a book on Armenia cuisine took place within the framework of the General Assembly. After the meeting, the delegates went to the land adjacent to Alex Manoogian Cultural Center and laid the foundation stone of the new “General Antranik” scout center. One of the most memorable evenings of the 86th General Assembly was the official gala-dinner held at the Four Seasons Hotel on Friday, October 15, during which renowned Argentinean-Armenian entrepreneur Eduardo Eurne- kian was honored. Armenia’s Ambassador to Argen- tina Vladimir Karmirshalyan delivered the welcoming address of the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. Greeting all the participants of the General Assembly, Mr. Sargsyan congratulated Mr. Eduardo Eurnekian praising his patriotic initiatives and investments in Homeland. A word of blessing and congratulation was also sent by Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians Karekin II. His Holiness emphasized AGBU’s close ties with the Homeland and the Armenian Apostolic Church, and congratulated Mr. Eurnekian on being named “AGBU’s Man of the Year” praising his service to Homeland and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. AGBU, which has always encouraged philanthropy and active involvement in Armenian community life, AGBU President's wife Mrs. Vera Setrakian honoring the Pertjuhi Emirian Elementary School students with the AGBU flag honored Eurnekian in appreciation of his commit- ment to bettering the lives of Armenians. Setrakian made Eurnekian an honorary member of the Central Council of the AGBU, which received a standing ovation and lengthy applause. Eurnekian humbly announced that he is just doing his duty for his people in Argentina and in Ar- menia. For the video material please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD6UWMCSwg4 Page 2 AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER ISSUE 10, OCTOBER-NOVEMBER, 2010 TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VASKENIAN ACADEMY CELEBRATED IN THE MOTHER SEE OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN On November 4, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presided over a cele- bration dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Vaskenian Theological Academy at Lake Sevan. The celebration was held in the Pontifical Residence of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Present for the celebration were AGBU Council of Trustees member and benefactor Karnig Yacoubian and his wife Anahit Yacoubian of Canada, AGBU President’s wife Mrs. Vera Setrakian, Mr. Vah- ram Nersissian of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese of Armenia, a member of the Supreme Spiritual Council, State representatives, Members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See, students of the Gevorkian and Vas- kenian Seminaries and many guests. "The Academy is one of the great victories of the 20th century in our national life. For us the Academy is the past, the present and the future", Rev. Fr. Gevorg Saroyan, Dean of the Vaskenian Academy, stated in his speech. During these 20 years, the Academy has produced 142 graduates: 2 Bishops, 4 Archimandrites, 11 Reverend Mr. and Mrs. Karnig and Anahit Yacoubian and Mrs. Vera Setrakian Fathers, 50 priests and 75 deacons. during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Vaskenian Seminary At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Armenian Pontiff extended his message of blessing. He extended his words of appreciation to the administrative and professorial staff, to the seminarians and to the graduates of the academy. "The mission of each spiritual institution is to train and educate the God-loving, Church-loving and patriot offspring. I should pray, ask and wish that our spiritual seminaries nurture priests who will justify the hopes of our nation and realize the oath which will glorify the name of His Holiness Vasken I of Blessed memory.