Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for interviews with Shahnur Minasyan, Hagop Hreshtagian and Slava Mezhdoyan, who are participating in the Second Forum for Leaders and Representatives of Armenian Youth Organizations of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora, which is entitled “Future”. The forum was launched on November 27 and is organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora, the Union of Armenians of Russia, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the “Imast” (Meaning) Armenian Youth Association of Nizhni Novgorod.

Shahnur Minasyan, leader of the youth organization of the “NUARD” Cultural Union

-“NUARD” Cultural Union was established in 2001 by my father, Gevorg Minasyan in Antwerp, Belgium.

Since its establishment, the Union has carried out various programs devoted to the preservation of the Armenian identity. The Union has an Armenian Sunday School and an Armenian dance ensemble. We also publish the “Lragir” monthly newspaper, which is the only Armenian print press in the region.

In the year marking the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, we placed a cross-stone dedicated to the memory of the innocent martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. Recently, we hosted a photo exhibition entitled “The Slaughter of the Cross-Stones of Julfa” at RIX Cultural Center in Antwerp. During the exhibition, we presented photos showing the creation and barbaric eradication of the Armenian cross-stones of Julfa.

The members of “NUARD” Cultural Union always celebrate Armenian state, national and church holidays with splendor. Through the persistent efforts of the Union and with the support of RA Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium Tatul Margaryan and President-Minister of Flandria, Mr. Burzhua, the Parliament of Flandria passed a resolution on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and Flandrian parliamentarians followed up on the discussion of the issue in the Belgian parliament and achieved success. We also organize the visits of parliamentarians to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Union also opened an exhibition called “Genocide-100: We Remember and Demand” in the Parliament of Flandria.

Our goal is to engage as many young Armenians in the Union as possible.

I have participated in the “Diaspora” Summer School Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and am content with the program. During such programs, we establish new contacts, and I consider that a great achievement.

Hagop Hreshtagian-member of the Center for Coordination of Syrian-Armenians’ Issues NGO, Syria

-I moved to Armenia four years ago due to the war in Syria. As a young Diaspora Armenian, in the beginning, I faced a language barrier and had a problem with integrating into the environment. It was hard for me to make the transition from Western Armenian to Eastern Armenian, but I am not losing hope because I am overcoming the problems over time.

As you know, the Armenian community of Syria is active, and cultural life is thriving. So, I have always felt that I am in an Armenian environment, and that has helped me always remember Armenia.

I believe the forums and conferences organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora help strengthen Armenia-Diaspora relations, and this forum is no exception.

Slava Mezhdoyan-founding and active member of the “Armenian Community of Georgia” NGO, Tbilisi

-The main strategy of the non-governmental organization is to be involved in solving the issues facing the community. Throughout the 10 years of its existence, the organization has carried out large-scale activities in that direction, and this has helped make the organization popular and have a good reputation.

There are youth and other associations within the non-governmental organization. We publish the “Miutyun” (Unity) newspaper, shedding light on the activities of the non-governmental organization and the events taking place in the community.

To maintain the idea of being Armenian in the conscience of the youth, we host courses on Armenian language and history. When organizing any program, we always protect the rights and interests of Armenians living in a foreign environment.

We try to participate in the forums and conferences organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

During such forums and conferences, we first meet with our fellow partners and present each other’s joint action plans. We all understand that Armenian youth also need to make their contributions in order to increase Armenia’s reputation.

During the forums and conferences, we also have opportunities to find paths for cooperation. During the discussions, we raise different issues that we’ll try to solve together.