Letter: Repatriation Absent in ARF Discourse

Dear Editor,

The recent article “ARF Conference Concludes in Yerevan” (Sept. 7, 2013, Armenian Weekly) provided a general overview of the conference and the main issues concerning the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). As a member of the Armenian Youth Federation and a supporter of the ARF, it distressed me greatly to see one glaring omission from the list, and for that matter, most contemporary discussions: repatriation.

An independent Armenia has been the dream the ARF has fought for since the party’s inception, but unfortunately it seems we have been at a loss for what to do once that dream was realized. Boasting as being the strongest and most far-reaching organization in the Armenian Diaspora, it strikes me as both nonsensical and irresponsible that the primary concern of the ARF today is not to tackle the largest threat our nation currently faces. This threat is two-fold, however. As noted in the article, the first portion is combatting the socio-economic factors within the nation. But these factors can only be combatted by those living within the country.

The second portion is left mostly to those living outside the boundaries of the Republic of Armenia. Most diasporans do not perceive Armenia as a place to live; rather, they still see it as a philanthropic endeavor with limited to offer outside of nostalgia or romantic, feel-good idealism. The ARF must take advantage of its expansive reach across the diaspora to begin a comprehensive plan to alter the perceptions and collective mentality of the diaspora. This can only be done through a systematic, maintained, and long-term program. Organizations such as Birthright Armenia and RepatArmenia are on the vanguard of this alteration in perceptions. The AYF’s Youth Corps program too has created a unique opportunity for the youth of the diaspora to experience Armenia outside of the starry-eyed pipedreams it has been fed. Yet, it seems the ARF has still not noticed these new movements and is stuck perpetuating its own stereotypes and clichés.

For years, the diaspora has been mired in a charity-centric, passive, and now antiquated approach to the role it plays in Armenia. The majority of disaporans do not see Armenia as a complex, developing, and opportunity-filled country where one can successfully live (without making any sacrifices or compromises), but as a simple, sympathetic problem we need to “fix.” This approach is not only unsustainable, it is dangerous. There needs to be a new dialogue within the diaspora regarding repatriation—a deliberate change in mindset—and the ARF needs to do what it can to encourage and expedite that change. We can no longer afford to be fulfilled with devoting our time and resources to matters of hayabahbanoum alone, while considering Armenia as a summer resort in between barahantes seasons.

Nora Injeyan

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

14 Comments

  1. This is a very interesting problem. Part of this problem is marketing. Just as in business, countries need to market themselves, and decide what it is they want to promote, also within that framework when you promote something you better deliver.

  2. Dear Nora, thank you for an accurate depiction and a great analysis of the situation. The political discourse nowadays should include the need to build civil society and to struggle for the rule of law in Armenia. When political parties and the state are intertwined with the criminal oligarchy and when fundamental human rights are trampled, it is no wonder that Armenians leave Armenia. Therefore, our political discourse must change and we must work towards repatriation and democracy so Armenians can stay and prosper in our country.

    • Dear Maro Matosian,, I believe one of our major problems that we are facing today is the pessimistic view about Life in Armenia.
      For the majority of diasporans, Armenia is nothing but a country without rule of law, ruled by criminal oligarchs.
      I tend to disagree with that position. It is undeniable that Armenia has major civil problems. However, i have seen and experienced many positive aspects of life in Armenia that are truly worth to be acknowledged. Unfortunately, these subjects are always absent in our discussions.
      Categorizing Armenia as a criminal enterprise, without human rights is not only not helpful, but a major obstacle to the discussion of repatriation.
      Respectfully,
      Artin.

  3. This is not a marketing issue this is a ideology issue.. an ideology that was astronomical in it’s goal to the point where it is incomprehensible to phathom any possible way of actually procuring and establishing a western Armenia. When you’re living that type of dream it’s very similar to the person addicted to buying Lotto tickets.. it’s exciting, sounds great, it’s a good cause, everyone’s on board but good luck… what we need now is a strategy to strengthen what we have so that in 100 or 200 years the pipe dream of a western Armenia might become a reality. We have to be 5 times the size, with a very strong Army, Economy, to be able to shut up our little neighbor to the east Azerbaijan before we even think about western Armenia. So the issue I see is there is a lull in our roadmap. A dangerous void? Or an opportunity to regroup and make something of it. Let’s lay the foundation for the next hundred years now..

  4. One of the most insightful, deep articles re Armenia I have seen in a long time.

    “…but unfortunately it seems we have been at a loss for what to do once that dream was realized. “
    “Yet, it seems the ARF has still not noticed these new movements and is stuck perpetuating its own stereotypes and clichés.”

    Perhaps young AYF/ARF patriots like Nora should be added to the list of several ladies who are regular contributors to ArmenianWeekly and Asbarez. Maybe contributors like Nora then can balance the incessant negativity and doom&gloom prognostications emanating from many of those Armenian women.

    “stuck perpetuating its own stereotypes and clichés”: Indeed.

    And possibly more articles such this by fresh (AYF/ARF) thinkers can then shake the Diaspora ARF leadership out of their comfortable slumber and reflexive finger pointing, and compel them to start doing what is best for Armenia – regardless of their other considerations.

    The fact that it took someone not in leadership position to point out such an obvious, glaring omission should convince even diehard supporters of the status quo that drastic change is needed.

    The last paragraph was the best:

    {“For years, the diaspora has been mired in a charity-centric, passive, and now antiquated approach to the role it plays in Armenia. The majority of disaporans do not see Armenia as a complex, developing, and opportunity-filled country where one can successfully live (without making any sacrifices or compromises), but as a simple, sympathetic problem we need to “fix.” This approach is not only unsustainable, it is dangerous. There needs to be a new dialogue within the diaspora regarding repatriation—a deliberate change in mindset—and the ARF needs to do what it can to encourage and expedite that change. We can no longer afford to be fulfilled with devoting our time and resources to matters of hayabahbanoum alone, while considering Armenia as a summer resort in between barahantes seasons.”}

    If only ARF leadership would read it with an open mind and take its message to heart.

  5. Very well said Avery:
    I had heard so many of these “exaggerated horror stories” in the 90’s, that I was disgusted with Hayastan and had resigned myself to dying in the diaspora. I truly imagined that if I landed in Hayastan, I would be accosted by members of these so-called “criminal gangs” and robbed of my belongings (or my life).
    It took a near-death accident in Ottawa to convince me that I should go and see this utopic land of ours for myself before dying. I did so in 2002, and stayed. We now own a house on top of the mountain in Yeghegnadzor and live with our brethren in complete security and share their struggle and contribute our little drop towards social progress and economic growth (in that order).
    Of course there are still many problems in Armenia. Of course we should continue to struggle to up-hold the rule of law, stamp-out corruption, move towards a more balanced income distribution in Armenian society. Most importantly, we must continue to aim towards “social progress”.
    We have come a long way since I first set foot in Armenia in 2002. I have never seen so much change in any country where I have worked, in such a short lapse of time. Unfortunately we have not succeeded on the income distribution front. We have not succeeded in fulfilling the “economic aspirations” of the people of Armenia, who have lived through a supposedly egalitarian communist Soviet society for 3 generations and who, like all of us in the Diaspora, want to experience the pleasures of the “consumer society” that we have been experiencing in the West.
    In my opinion, the people who decide to leave Armenia are “economic migrants”. Freedom of expression is very prevalent here and I see published articles in the local press that one would never dream of seeing in Canada.
    However, if one looks at the economic data with an open mind, even if we confiscated all the wealth of the so-called Hayastanci Oligarchs and distributed it equally to the resident population, we would still not be able to fulfill their dreams of consumerism. This is because we are a land-locked country, with hostile neighbours and a good part of our GDP has to be devoted to “defense”.
    Right now, my neighbor who works for the local “milicia” department is worried about loosing her job, because the “public service”, in its move towards efficiency and effectiveness, is cutting positions, so that they can afford to increase the salaries of those remaining. They did that in the school system to raise the salaries of teachers 8 years ago.
    Because the private sector investment is not keeping-up with the demand for high-paying jobs, people are forced to migrate, and I am sorry to say, publicly available data show that Armenia lives mainly from remittances, not/NOT like this letter seems to suggest, from charity sent by the western diaspora, which is insignificant in macro terms.
    When our western Diasporans criticize the Government of the RoA for allowing some of its assets to be purchased by Russian interests, I ask them: How much of your “investment portfolio” is in Armenia? Why aren’t YOU investing in Armenia?
    I join Ms. Injeyan in asking you all: Why aren’t you in Armenia?

  6. Hopefully Nora moves there, goes to university, gets a job, and sets an example of a “Tebi Hayastan” movement. The issue does not lie with the ARF alone – Armenia together must make it attractive for ALL Armenians to go back and welcome all with open arms, not look at diasporans as odars, Arab-Armenians, Americanized Armenians etc. I truly beleive the ARF welcomes all Armenians to Armenia, but does the rest of Armenia? Or are the diasporans just an ATM machine for the country – thank you for your money, now go back where you came from. The ARF’s recent meeting seemed to pinpoint specific issues and find a solution for them, rather than discussing a million topics generally.

  7. I wholeheartedly agree with Nora and Avery and Antoine.
    When I started spending 50% of my time in Armenia nearly 20 years ago I was basically one of about 100 total (maximum) Diasporans who were doing the same. It was a very intimate club-like atmosphere full of visionaries, dreamers and do-ers. Many of them were involved in setting up NGOs, small businesses, advising various government agencies. For our group, the environment was full access, extremely open, exciting, and we were all full of hope — we were there to build a fantastic dynamic nation. For the locals — it was depressing at best: there was no electricity, no water, no gas, no cars on the street, and lines for everything. But the locals embraced us and our willingness to help and we were taken in like long lost family.
    We saw the circumstances as nothing more than a temporary situation that was endemic to the beginnings of a new nation.
    20 years later, some of us are still here. I moved here permanently 12 years ago to run the tourism development agency to promote Armenia as an international tourism destination. When we started the agency there were 40,000 incoming tourists. By the time the ATDA was folded into the National Competitiveness Foundation there were over 750,000 incoming tourists!
    In terms of development, Armenia has come a long way since the days of no electricity. But naturally Armenia has growing pains– pains that will be greatly alleviated if there were more optimists and visionaries moving here from the diaspora and planting their roots here.
    Thankfully we have a healthy growing group of repats from all over the diaspora. They are hardworking and eager to grow Armenia’s potential. The bottom line is this:
    the more immigration we have (more repats), the larger marketplace for Armenia, AND a larger hard working, law abiding, God fearing constituency of citizens who are determined to build their dream homeland.
    Seriously consider a move to Armenia, and arm in arm we CAN redirect to a path for Armenia that leads to a brighter future.

    • Nina Jan:
      You, and the others, who came here in the early dark years, have been an inspiration to me and many of us.
      Your pioneering work in tourism development commands the respect of all those who can now remain in Armenia thanks to incomes generated from ‘quality’ tourism.
      Your creative designs and ideas for handicrafts and the publication of children books (The Legend of Dilijan) are a bright manifestation of your intellect and hayrenasiroutyoun.
      Քեզ երկայն եւ առողջ կյանք:

  8. Armenians as a whole are given to be easily convinced,apt to accept whatever is given to them info-wise.
    While I respect the good work meant and done by many repatriates,organizations(Armenian -style,many many, but on scales that will fade aaway when establishmen ts such as the National Competitivness foundation take centre-stage. In brief small fry disappears.What newly established REPAT.am (come to life by an ex vice Ministre of Diaspora-Ministry,for reasons known to him )does is paltry,very poor as to what a Diaspora planned and organzied A NEW REPATRIATION , on large scale might accomplish with a NATIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND.In this connection please refer to my previous posts as to establishing it.It does have antecedent, the one organized by the Diaspora in 1945, when over sa HUNDRED THOUSAND ARMENIANS from the middle East mainly repatriated to soviet Armenia.I am all for those samll individual ones as well, such as the subject matter is drawing attn to, but it is one thing to make a very small move as compared to a HUGE ORGANZIED ONE.Please….do not take this as negative critique.Quite the contrary.I do appreciate work done-even on small scale-but with good intentions.Not to hamper or frenar(spanish) brake the one that could be a Naationally supported one and to outperform the present immigration from Armenia.The Diaspora does have the cñlout and the possibility(economically as well) to achieve this SECOND REPATRIATION I speak of. Otherwise the present shows that nothing tangible has been done to curb the unfortunate immigration-outflow from RA….
    best hasgcoghin

  9. recently I was in Armenia for my grandson baptism and my granddaughters participation in the homenetmen games .I saw a city which was vibrant,lively,inviting,and very enjoyable in many ways,but all I heard from Armenians who have never been there constently complaining about every little thing they have not encountered,go ther spend money enjoy this wonderful country from where we all came from and stop bitching, I am not ready to repatriate to my fatherland and I give credit to all who have ,I will continue to visit this country again and again,and enjoy all those nights in Yerevan,and all the small villages and sites it has to offer, to some one who appreciates truly a beautiful land,please stop looking at the negative and look at all the things it will offer to anyone who loves his homeland.

  10. Very good Article!
    Though I don’t think the finger should be specifically pointed at one or another organization, but rather all of them. Not only ARF, but all other parties and organizations should use their reach to the Diasporans (and a small reach/expansion is NOT an excuse) to promote a closer relation with the Homeland (with all the aspects and meanings you have in mind) and ultimately, REPATRIATION.
    I have been living in Artsakh for over 3 years now. My husband moved in Artsakh in 2004 (at a time when mobile phones were only working at the corssroad near our building, and when there was water only once or twice a week), and in spite of a lot of difficulties, he is still here today.
    Have a look at our story on the Repat Armenia website:
    http://repatarmenia.org/eng/armen-and-cristina-rakedjians/#.Ukkm7Yanoaw

    Back to the article, I especially liked and agreed with the last sentence:
    “We can no longer afford to be fulfilled with devoting our time and resources to matters of hayabahbanoum alone, while considering Armenia as a summer resort in between barahantes seasons.”

    Regards,
    Cristina from Artsakh

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