Yerevan, Armenia (19.09.2024) – Maira Myrogianni, Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, delivered the opening speech at the second Global Armenian Summit organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs.
The panel discussion titled “Diaspora-Armenia Collaboration: Sustainable Development & Capacity-Building” featured Vassilis Maragos, Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Bruce Boghosian, President of the American University of Armenia, Armen Chobanyan, Country Director at the Izmirlian Foundation, Lusine Yeremyan, Marketing and Communications Director at Yeremyan Group, Masis Gyumrigyan, Technical Director of Space Programs at CSIE. The discussion was moderated by Arevik Anapiosyan, Partnerships and Development Finance Advisor at the United Nations and Adjunct Lecturer at the American University of Armenia.
At the session titled “Social Impact Through Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, & Volunteering in Armenia,” the speakers included Eliza Minasyan, Executive Director of the Jinishian Memorial Program, Hayk Hayrapetyan, Founder & CEO of IMAST and Co-founder of GeekBrains, Elena Hakobyan, President of the Charitable Foundation “Hurry to Good”, Ani Jilozian, Director of Development at the Women’s Support Center, and Vanouhi Petrosyan, Principal Policy Officer at Westminster City Council and DiasPro program participant. The discussion was moderated by Arevik Hambardzumyan, Director of The Loft.
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The session titled “Armenian Cultural Reach: Highlights from Around the World” featured Jaklin Baghdasaryan, singer of the Ladaniva Band, Ani Vorskanyan, Producer and CEO of AVA Films Production Company, Lori Antounian, Orchestra Conductor and Choir Director at the Imperial Orchestra, Anahit Mikayelyan, Director of the Sergei Parajanov Museum, and Sibil, singer and co-founder of the Armenian Jewelry brand “Sibil La Reine.” The session was moderated by stage and screen actress Mariam Hovhannisyan.
At the roundtable “Diaspora-Armenia Partnerships for Education & Science” opening keynote speeches were delivered by Christine Weigand, UNICEF Representative in Armenia, Larisa Hovannisian, President of Teach Armenia, Shamam Gevorgyan, Founder and Chief Executive Director of the 405 Educational Alliance Development Fund.
The discussions were led by Alexander Plato Hakobyan, Director of Systems Innovation at Teach Armenia, Suzanna Shamakhyan, CEO at the Armenian Science and Technology Foundation (FAST), Anush Ayvazyan, Head of Educational Programs , Aram Pakhchanyan, Co-founder of “AYB” Educational Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Marina Mkhitaryan, AGBU Armenia Executive Director, Marine Khachaturyan, Educational Team Leader at AGBU Armenian Virtual College, Armine Haroyan, CEO of the Armenian Branch of the Armenian Educational Foundation Armenia, Pegor Papazian, Chief Development Officer, TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, Aren Deyirmenjian, The Armenian Missionary Association of America Representative, Sargis Karapetyan, Leading Technologies Enterprises, Alice Petrossian, Educational Consultant and Member of the Board of Directors of the International Women’s Association of Armenia (AIWA), Nanor Balabanian, Director and Founder of the “Hidden Road” Initiative, Ara Barsam, COAF Global Executive Director, Maria Khakhamyan, co-founder of “One Voice” Armenian Association of Independent Schools, Vice-Chairman of the Board, and Founding Director of the “Poqrik Ishkhan” Educational Complex.
At the session “Agents of Change: Personal Stories of Success in Armenia” speakers included Houry Gebeshian, Owner of Full Out Collegiate Recruiting, Shoushan Keshishian, Executive Director of Hub Artsakh; Sona Galstyan, Teacher at Teach For Armenia; Aimee Keushguerian, Founder and President of Zulal; Lorky Libaridian, Community health programs director at COAF, Program director at PReP, and Executive Director of LFF; and Arpa Hacopian, Operations Manager at Impact Hub Gyumri. The session was moderated by Magda Aghababyan, Founder of Hoateia.
The parallel session “Armenia’s Current Landscape: Education, Health & Social Welfare” featured speakers Zhanna Andreasyan, RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports; Anahit Avanesyan, RA Minister of Health; and Narek Mkrtchyan, RA Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. The session was moderated by Volodya Musheghyan, news anchor at the Public TV Company of Armenia. Meanwhile, the parallel session “Armenia’s Current Landscape: Economy, Infrastructure & Technology” included speakers Gevorg Papoyan, RA Minister of Economy; Gnel Sanosyan, RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures; and Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, RA Minister of High-Tech Industry. This session was moderated by Roza Khachatryan, journalist at the Public Television of Armenia.
The session titled “Investing in the Homeland: Opportunities for Diaspora” featured Narek Teryan, RA Deputy Minister of Economy, Anushavan Simonyan, Managing Partner at Amber Capital Armenia, Arthur Mikaelyan, Chairman of the Angel Investor Club of Armenia, and Victoria Aslanian, CEO of Golden Grape ArmAs LLC. The session was moderated by Samson Avetian, CEO of Eqwefy and AICA.
The session “Diaspora as a Bridge: Connecting Armenian Exports to Global Markets” featured Alexander Gevorgyan, Head of the Chair of the Henry George School of Social Sciences and Economics lecturer at St. John’s University Tobin College of Business, Aram Sbenjian, President and co-founder of Lorens NYC, Emma Arakelyan, Founder and CEO at Orion Worldwide Innovations, Vahram Mirakyan, Co-founder and President of Mantashyants Business Club, Sirvard Atanesyan, Regional Manager of TUMO Center for Creative Technologies. The session was moderated by Sergey Tantushyan, Business Strategy and Effective Communication professor at AUA.
The session titled “Insights from Small & Medium Businesses in Armenia” featured Aline Masrlian, Founder of Haleb Stores, Hayk Yeranosyan and Sirarpi Lerane Khojabaghyan, Co-founders of Tonir Wedding Village, Arevik Vardanian, Operational Director of Lemonade Fashion; Nareg Sfeir, Co-owner of Gustav and Pablo restaurants; and Arpi Mouradian, Public Relations Coordinator at Van Ardi Winery. The session was moderated by Magda Aghababyan, founder of Hoateia.
The session titled “Armenia as a Growing Technology Hub & Opportunities for AI Development” featured Raffi Krikorian, Chief Technology Officer of Emerson Collective, Hrant Khachatrian, YerevaNN Laboratory Director, Founder of DataFest Yerevan, Adviser at Intelinair, Perouz Taslakian, AI Research Scientist, Research Lead at Service Now Research. The session was moderated by Raffi Kassarjian, CEO and Principal Advisor at Sensyan LLC.
The session titled “Armenia as a Rising Tourism Destination” featured Mary Badalyan, Co-Funder & Member of the Board of Directors at EventToura Event Tourism Development Fund, Shahane Halajyan, Executive Director of HIKEArmenia, Tigran Harutyunyan, Founder of Myler Mountain Resort, Annie Davtyan, Commercial Director at TaTever Ropeway, Katerina Danekina, Deputy CEO of the Green Rock Management Group. The session was moderated by Gayane Kocharyan, Expert in Tourism Development & Promotion of Armenia in the Russian Market.
During the Global Armenian Summit, an expo highlighting development opportunities across Armenia’s regions was held. Each region showcased its programs and potential with dedicated booths, while local producers exhibited their products. In parallel, representatives from each region gave individual presentations.
The second working day concluded with an event marking the five-year anniversary of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs. High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan outlined the Office’s activities and accomplishments, underscoring the ongoing development of Armenia-Diaspora relations and the importance of maintaining a constructive dialogue.
At the event, program beneficiaries of the Office delivered speeches, and letters of appreciation were presented to various Armenian ministries and partners, including the Izmirlian Foundation, H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, the Jinishian Memorial Foundation, and the Armenian Missionary Association of America, among others.
The day concluded with a special reception hosted by H.E. Mr. Olivier Decottignies, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia, and Madame Bahar Shoghi, in honor of the Armenian community in France. Ambassador Decottignies and High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan both delivered speeches to the attendees.
Evocabank is the summit’s main partner, with the “Armenpress” State News Agency serving as the information partner.
