We need to develop minimal and maximal concepts and programs. The minimum is the preservation and evaluation of the existing state. The maximum is that which can be reached in principle and can be achieved in practice.
Convention Participant
In my opinion the best way to unite the diaspora and particularly the younger diaspora is to connect them physically through amazing events and experiences and with purpose. This logically makes sense before trying to unite through purpose alone. Through travel events throughout the world disparate members of our culture come together for fun, unity, and entertainment, and at a cost lower than a regular vacation while supporting Armenian business and causes. It is gaining momentum with millennials and gen z and I would like to share progress and combine efforts if it supports your goal #5, to: Transform the relationship between Armenia and the Diaspora into one based on mutualism and trust.
Rob B., USA
Signatory
Մենք պետք է ունենանք մեկ գաղափար ու մեկ ռազմնավարություն, թե ուր ենք ուզում գնալ։ Կարող ենք ունենալ այս մեկ փաստաթուղթը, բայց կարող ենք նաև ունենալ այդ մեկ նպատակին հասնելու տասը ճանապարհ։
Համաժողովի մասնակից
Everyone from the Diaspora and Armenia should become the PR ambassador of Armenia to the world.
Convention Participant
I am sure biotechnology has been considered as one of the prospective directions for building the future in Armenia. I hope it would be possible to create a group that could connect scientists working in different universities and companies with scientists in Armenia to discuss what kind of help is needed and what can be built together.
Here is what I could bring to table:
Part of my job is to develop monoclonal antibodies for research and diagnostic purposes in medicine. I could help establish a similar laboratory that could serve the local needs, to start with.
Maybe some of the companies, producing commercial antibodies would choose to open an R&D and manufacturing laboratory in Armenia, if we have well trained personnel.
This might seem to be a very small-scale endeavor, but it will boost the research and clinical science.
Another suggestion is to create a group that would help connect local science to business. The potential of students in Armenia and abroad could be utilized. I have an idea of a project:
The copper mining is one of the major components of our industry. New, more eco-friendly methods of precipitating copper from ore are being utilized worldwide. Bioleaching is one of them; it is essentially using bacteria to precipitate copper (or other metals) from low metal containing ore. Usually, the companies patent the consortium of bacteria.
Scientists from ArmBiotechnology in Yerevan (please see the reference below) have isolated a consortium of bacteria from ore in Kapan that can efficiently be used for this purpose. We could use student engineers to create bioreactors for mining copper from leftover ore by bioleaching, thus employing local people and cleaning the environment.
Susanna B., USA/Armenia
Signatory
There should be online platforms for training Armenian teachers.
Convention Participant
Ես միգուցե չկարողանամ ապրել Հայաստանում, բայց որպես հայ իմ պարտականությունն է իմ մասնագիտական գիտելիքներն ու անձնական ռեսուրսներն ուղղել ի նպաստ Հայրենիքի։
Համաժողովի մասնակից
An Armenian is a person with a value system. When he actively participates in certain processes to achieve his goals, then he is already a political person, a committed person. An Armenian is a person who should be able to benefit those around him, regardless of whether there are Armenians around him or not.
Convention Participant
Only the state can unite the efforts of all Armenians, regardless of party, place of residence, and other circumstances. No public organization is able to do that. Our unification should be through the state mechanism. There is no other option.
