AYF Senior Seminar 2013: Stand Up, Stand Together for Artsakh

90 Participants, 7 Chapters, 3 Guest Lecturers: One Cause

By Carnie Armenian

The five pillars of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF)—Cultural, Educational, Political, Social, and Athletics—represent the goals of the organization. Over the weekend of Oct. 4-6, more than 90 participants from across Eastern region, along with members from Montreal and Florida, convened at AYF’s Camp Haiastan at AYF Senior Seminar 2013, dubbed “Stand Up, Stand Together for Artsakh.”

90 Participants, 7 Chapters, 3 Guest Lecturers: One Cause

It is always heart-warming to witness Armenian youth gather around a unified cause, but the ambiance at Senior Seminar set a more meaningful tone to our great organization. Not only was it instilled in us to continue to stand in unity as the Armenian Diaspora, but the motivation and inspiration to be active members in our respective communities weighed deeply throughout the weekend.

The Central Educational (CE) Committee—made up of Narineh Abrahamian, D.C.; Tamar Alexanian, Chicago; Nairi Khachatourian, Boston; and Talene Taraksian, Providence—organized a fulfilling weekend balanced in educationals, activities, and political activism. Lecturers included Nanore Barsoumian, the assistant editor of the Armenian Weekly; Michael Mensoian, professor at University of Massachusetts-Boston; and Mourad Topalian, a former chair of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

With Artsakh as the central theme of the Seminar, Nanore Barsoumian shared stories about both Armenian soldiers and Artsakh locals, including the inspirational story of Stepanakert resident Galya, a caretaker of Artsakh’s military museum who has devoted herself to honoring her fallen son, one of our many lost soldiers. Michael Mensoian discussed the abundant resources in Artsakh and Armenia, and their importance in strengthening our homeland economically. He focused on how homegrown, Armenian products are sometimes undervalued or ignored, while products from abroad are often desired. The always inspirational Mourad Topalian spoke about two very moving topics: first, about “inside baseball” between Armenia, Artsakh, Russia, and America, discussing the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake; and second, about the passion and fire he shares with the youth to realize a free, independent, and united Armenia. Unger Topalian opened his heart and shared his words of wisdom with the participants, lighting a fire in each and every member, and stirring an eternal dedication to our organization and our homeland.

ANCA-ER Executive Director Michelle Hagopian and ANCA National Board member Steve Mersobian instructed AYF members on how to make phone calls for Congressional hopeful Peter Koutoujian. The seminar participants then led a phone banking session to help the Middlesex County sheriff get elected to Congress.

While AYF Senior Seminar spanned only a weekend, the discussions that came about ensure that our members will take what they learned and share their knowledge and aspirations with their respective chapters. The seminar ended on a high note, as members played a makeshift soccer-volleyball game, danced the traditional shourchbar to the melodies of the AYF’s very own Yerakouyn Band, and nestled by the campfire, even under the rain. It was a weekend where we not only learned a great amount, but also left our chapter “cliques” behind and bonded as a single group in fraternity.