A little over a century ago, the people of Armenia fell victim to the first genocide in the twentieth century at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. An estimated 1.5 million people were systematically extinguished and thanks largely to the kind acts of others from a variety of nationalities, religions and ethnic groups, the remaining 300,000 Armenians escaped annihilation. Dispersed to all corners of the earth, our ancestors not only survived…they thrived.
Today, we are ten million strong, with communities in nearly every country on earth. We have gone on to excel in business, science, the arts and academia. But while many of us have achieved success outside of our homeland, Armenia itself has struggled for decades.
In the last year we have witnessed incredible change. More than ever since the Genocide over one hundred years ago, Armenia seems poised to realize its true potential. The Velvet Revolution not only awakened Armenians in the homeland to the power of their collective voice, but also planted a seed among many members of the diaspora on the importance of reconnecting to their roots. Our country is positioned to grow economically over the coming years, is home to a burgeoning IT and tourism industry and a growing start-up and entrepreneurial culture that has the potential to elevate Armenian innovation onto the world stage.
Last week, our community gathered with friends and families to remember the tragic events of a century ago. We do so at the dawn of a new Armenia—one which holds great promise for the next generation and one which restores our rightful position as a cradle of civilization, never forgetting our roots or what brought us to where we are today. We are at yet an important crossroad, and what we do next should reflect our ongoing renaissance from a nation devastated by genocide.
Now is the time for Armenians around the globe to harness the power of the diaspora and inspire the next generation to remain connected to the homeland.
We have always been a proud people, but now it is just not Armenians alone that see the incredible potential of this small, landlocked nation at the foot of the Caucasus. The Economist honored us last year as its “Country of the Year” for Armenia’s ability to institute reform and new leadership without spilling a single drop of blood. As they noted, Armenia, “an ancient and often misruled nation in a turbulent region has a chance of democracy and renewal.”
Now is the time for Armenians around the globe to harness the power of the diaspora and inspire the next generation to remain connected to the homeland. Individuals, businesses, civil society and the government all play a role in ushering in a new dawn for the country and for driving pride among our global Armenian communities on what it means to “be Armenian.”
As a member of the diaspora, I can say our duty lies in educating our families on the rich culture and history that traces our nation back thousands of years. Books and photographs don’t do justice to the wide range of emotions that come from experiencing Armenia firsthand. As younger generations of Armenians in the diaspora grow farther apart from their roots, we need to continue nurturing this momentum to ultimately integrate pride into the fabric of who we are as individuals—no matter where we live.
Business and government play equally critical roles in creating the right opportunities for Armenians to thrive, while also establishing a unique environment that inspires individuals to visit and experience our nation for the first time. That is why I am joining a group of Armenian leaders in the diaspora and thought leaders from around the world to host the inaugural Aurora Forum this October.
Through a series of action-oriented events and discussions, we will convene some of the world’s most influential individuals from the fields of humanitarianism, business, technology, science, sustainability, education and health. At a time of global uncertainty and conflict, we see reason for optimism for the future and will bring together the international community’s foremost innovators to inspire tangible change and personal responsibility among people, businesses and governments.
The Aurora Forum will be a meeting about action, not just dialogue like so many other global forums. We believe that we all have a personal stake in the progress of humanity, and that this shared responsibility is to be embraced. Organizations such as IDeA, FAST, Scholae Mundi, UWC Dilijan, Ameriabank and the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative will all come together to build upon this momentum and create unique experiences for global Armenians to fulfill their collective potential.
Through the Aurora Forum, we hope to foster innovation and actionable ideas, not just for Armenia but for other regions of the world contending with their respective challenges. As an entrepreneur and member of the diaspora, I have long believed in the potential of Armenia. That feeling is reinforced each time I set eyes on Mount Ararat and recognize what it represents—our rich culture, our diverse past and our optimism for the future as the nation of second chances. These are attributes that epitomize what it means to be Armenian and ones that will surely be embraced by others when they join us in October for the Aurora Forum.
Noubar Afeyan
Latest posts by Noubar Afeyan (see all)
- The Aurora Forum Will Capitalize on Armenia’s Potential - May 2, 2019
I warmly share your views and wish to join you in making any contribution I can toward your stated goals.
As an Armenian American who’s lived in France for the last 27 years, I’m reading this article from Yerevan. I’ve been in Armenia for the last week and could not agree more with what I’ve just read. Armenia is at an important crossroads and there’s a palpable energy not only in the capital but in the villages where a renaissance is underway. I am horrified, however, by the propaganda that comes out of Azerbaijan, which, for example, claims that Yerevan and certain churches and cathedrals with Armenian inscriptions were once part of ancient Azerbaijan and must be returned. Armenians are referred to as the “enemy” and the propaganda machine starts disseminating fake news in kindergarten classes. This is taking a toll on our people’s psyche. Our guide today even referred to a potential “cultural genocide” for the second time in our history. Unfortunately, little, if anything, is being done by NGOs, leaders outside of Armenia, or big business to thwart this nonsense. Azerbaijan has oil and gas so anything goes. This issue needs to be addressed and greater awareness for it created. The Aurora Forum could play a role. Where will the forum be held and what are the exact dates?