A significant report recently released by Policy Forum-Armenia, a collective of economists, political scientists, journalists, legal experts and others from 10 countries, calls on Armenia and Diaspora to seek to reclaim common philosophical ground that has been eroded by political/civil upheaval of 2008 and by the ongoing debate of Armenia-Turkey rapprochement.

Its release unfortunately overshadowed by the dramatic vote of the U.S. Congress committee on House Resolution 252, the PFA report contains thoughtful, academic observations and reaches conclusions that offer timely application as the whole of Armenia face challenges that demand unified response.

While unsympathetic in its criticism of politics, policies and apathy that has led to current strained or distanced relations, “Armenia-Diaspora Relations: 20 Years Since Independence” also serves up suggestions on turning the tide of current discontent.

“The successive administrations in Armenia since independence have effectively stripped the nation of the rewards for its victories: the modern-day examples of audacity, perseverance, and success of unseen proportions,” says the report in blistering condemnation. “Something that could have empowered and served the foundation for the ‘new history,’ has been turned into a liability of major proportions.

“The Diaspora did not seem to mind that: the ‘old history’ was still too strong in their minds and hearts and they were not about to let that be replaced by something else. An opportunity given to the nation by its best—the Leonids, Montes, Shahens, and Tatouls of the world and countless others, who still carry the wounds of the Karabakh war and the memories of the short but epic reconstruction that followed—was effectively allowed to be lost by politicians in Armenia and largely unsuspecting-but-effectively-complicit Diaspora.”

Founding member of PFA David Grigorian (Washington, D.C.) told ArmeniaNow that the impetus for the report (and of the think-tank’s related forum two weeks ago) is response to existing misunderstandings that will either fester further divicevness or, met full-on, might be turned into positive growing pains.

“Diaspora at present is too fragmented. Positions of the traditional parties and organizations are too far apart to expect any meaningful cooperation among them even on issues of critical importance,” Grigorian says. “Their positions vis-a-vis Armenia have in recent years been based on outdated notions and concepts and are unpopular among the citizenry in Armenia, creating resentment on their part. Yet, the premium on acting together is higher than ever before, given the challenges facing the nation on developmental as well as national security fronts. It is for this very reason that PFA’s report focuses on the notion of, and the mechanisms for, collective action as part of its main recommendations for going forward.”

The move forward is the topic of one of the (48 page) report’s five chapters, in which PFA concludes:

“Despite frequent statements by Armenian politicians regarding intentions to tap into the Diaspora’s potential, this has not gone beyond rhetoric and the Diaspora has been largely unable to effectively contribute to Armenia’s political, economic, and social development. ...

“Twenty or so years of assistance of all kinds by and large have not translated into sustainable development and progressive policymaking in Yerevan.

“In an age of globalization and transnationalism, when physical borders are less significant and networks are becoming as important as any other ingredient of economic development and national security, Armenians around the world have a clear comparative advantage.

“With some innovative thinking, liabilities can be turned into assets and the nation can again be as united as it wants to be . . .”

For a PDF of the report and video of the recent forum go to: www.pf-armenia.org. Or click here for the PDF.