Seta's Armenian Blog: Dr Dikran Abrahamian

Thursday, 22 November 2018

Dr Dikran Abrahamian - Keghart.com

Urgent Call for a Democratic Process in AGBU

11th October 2018

President of the AGBU Mr. Berj Setrakian
Officers and Members of the Board of the AGBU
55 East 59th Street, New York City, NY 10022-1112
United States of America
Honorable President and Members of the AGBU Central Board,

We, a group of dedicated but concerned members of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, hereby address this urgent letter/appeal to the President and Central Board of the AGBU. This letter is being sent confidentially, prior to its public release planned for November 15th, 2018. It has been formulated to express our collective thoughts and convictions, and its signatories have signed it in a

personal capacity, even though a great many of our fellow members and colleagues from AGBU Chapters around the world share our concerns on the matters we raise below.

The current momentous changes underway in our homeland have provided Armenians everywhere with a new burst of energy and a desire for introspection. In both Armenia and the Diaspora at large, there is an urgency to improve the effectiveness of national institutions and organizations, and ensure that the most vigorous democratic procedures are enforced fully and honestly. In line with this, we call upon you to urgently consider a number of issues that we believe require immediate redress so that the ABGU can rise to the challenges precipitated by current events, and avoid the errors and omissions that have cast a shadow over its glorious history in recent decades. Whilst we hold the AGBU’s multifaceted innovative programs, as well as the work and dedication of its senior leadership, in high regard, we are of the opinion that the organization must undertake internal reforms that will allow it to become an institution that adheres to the principles of transparency, accountability and democratic process. Indeed, the principles of the Velvet Revolution that has swept energy into Armenia must flow through the rest of the Nation and the AGBU as well. >> Read more....