PFA Second Annual Forum

Armenia-Diaspora Relations: Future Endangered?

Call for Proposals

On October 10, 2009, the foreign ministers of Armenian and Turkey signed two protocols entitled the “Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations” and the “Protocol on the development of bilateral relations”. The period between the announcement (August 31, 2009) and the signing witnessed significant and wide-spread demonstrations in the Diaspora, with limited public resistance in Armenia. Yerevan’s handling of the process that preceded the signing of the protocols appears to have deepened the divide between the Diaspora and the establishment in Armenia. The fragmented opposition in Armenia is yet to form a common view on the issue, all while the establishment is still struggling with challenges of legitimacy resulting from the fraudulent elections in February 2008 and May 2009.

To provide an opportunity for public policy professionals to discuss Armenia–Diaspora relations—perspectives on and approaches to the present-day challenges facing the Armenian nation—Policy Forum Armenia announces a Forum to take place on Sunday, February 28 through Tuesday, March 2 in Washington, DC. The event will feature a keynote speech on Armenia-Diaspora relations.

Topics of interest for the Organizing Committee include:

• Benefits and drawbacks of the protocols
• Concerns of legitimacy and the signing of the protocols
• Licking the wounds and looking ahead: An optimist’s agenda
• People of Armenia vs. its governments: Who should Diaspora pledge its allegiances to?
• Globalization and transnationalism: Are Diaspora-Armenia relations stuck in the past?
• Legal, developmental, and moral reasons for Diaspora’s engagement in Armenia
• Traditional Diaspora leadership: Out of touch, out of vision, or out of integrity?

How to Apply

Interested young professionals should submit a 1-page proposal on their topic by January 15 to forum(at)pf-armenia.org with a subject “Second PFA Forum.” Successful applicants must submit their full position papers (5,000 word limit) by February 15, 2010.