On June 5th, the United AIO inaugural conference, “Building Armenia Together: Wiser & Stronger” kicked off, bringing together 20+ Diaspora Armenian organizations to build a new model for diasporic engagement and find a new way of doing projects to meet the critical needs of Armenia, now and in the future. 

Chief of Staff at the RA Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Sara Anjargolian moderated the panel titled, “The Challenge: Think Differently | Work Together | Act Urgently.” The discussion was centered around some critical questions: Why have Diaspora organizations come together now? What are the challenges that stand in the way of collaboration? How can Diaspora organizations overcome those challenges? What change do each hope to see going forward in the approach and behavior of Diaspora organizations? How can unaffiliated Armenians be brought into the mainstream of Armenian Diaspora activity?

Alongside Ms. Anjargolian, panelists included Lucy Varpetian, Charwoman of Armenian Bar Association; Hagop Panossian, President of ARPA Institute; Serj Eyvazian at Armenian Eagles Foundation; Vahe Haroutounian, President of All-ASA; Lisa Gulesserian, Member, Coordinating Committee at Zoravik Activist Collective and Anna Sargsyan, President of Peace for Armenians.