MAY 30 PLENARY LECTURE

The New Imperialism: Old Problems, New Challenges
The prevailing force driving world affairs remains the domination of small countries by large, powerful interests. This is manifested currently through superpower rivalries across the globe, US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the increasingly aggressive and exploitative nature of capitalism. The program's three distinguished speakers will elucidate the structure of imperialism as it affects the people of the world today and suggest alternatives for resisting it.
Panelists: Tariq Ali, David Barsamian, Neil Smith

MAY 31 CONFERENCE PANELS

1) Changing Gender Roles in the Diaspora
This panel examines gender roles in the Armenian Diaspora, with an emphasis on women: Specifically, it looks at how the roles and activities of women have changed over time, and what possibilities exist for continuing change in a progressive direction. [abstracts]
Panelists: Nancy Agabian, Florence Avakian
Discussant: Nora Armani
Moderator: Doug Geogerian

2) What Would a Global Armenian Progressive Agenda Look Like?
What does progressivism mean in an Armenian context? How are Armenian issues framed/framable by larger political debates? This panel seeks tentative answers, stressing ways to tie Armenian issues to a larger political field that can bind Armenians together around the globe. [abstracts]
Panelists: Armineh Arakelian, Antranig Kasbarian, Pedro Mouratian
Discussant: Nubar Hovsepian
Moderator: Levon Chorbajian

3) The ADL and the Armenian Genocide: Pursuing Common Goals Through Grassroots Activism
This panel looks at the recent controversy surrounding the Anti- Defamation League and its complicity in denying the Armenian Genocide. Based on the experiences of Armenian and Jewish activists, the panel addresses the successes, challenges, and obstacles in building a genuine coalition involving Armenians, Jews, and other progressives who work toward common goals. [abstracts]
Panelists: Sevag Arzoumanian, Laura Boghosian, Joey Kurtzman, Jack Nusan Porter
Moderator: Khatchig Mouradian

4) Foreign Assistance to Armenia: Toward Prosperity or Dependency?
Does foreign assistance help or hinder Armenia's progress? In what ways? This panel will address these questions by examining the agendas pursued and the methods deployed by states and agencies in tendering aid to Armenia. The panel will also look at specific cases that yield insight into the track record of assistance programs. [abstracts]
Panelists: Levon Chorbajian, Karen Hakobyan, Markar Melkonian
Discussant: Elizabeth Chouldjian
Moderator: Dikran Kaligian

5) Student Panel: New Work of an Activist Bent
This panel presents new work by students who seek to infuse Armenian issues with progressive, activist viewpoints and methods. The group will examine contemporary issues of cultural genocide: linguistic and cultural disintegration and identity; student activism on monument destruction; and problems with victimhood and pain as a central element of culture. [abstracts]
Panelists: Celina Agaian, Lori Janbazian, Zohrab Sarkissian
Moderator: Sossi Essajanian

6) Unrest in Armenia: New Seeds of Democracy or Destabilizing Acts?
The recent elections in Armenia -- and the ensuing unrest - have been a source of widespread controversy: many have asked whether the Armenian government suppressed genuine civil discontent among the disenfranchised, or whether it sought, rather, to stem efforts aimed at destabilizing the country. This panel seeks to address but ultimately move beyond this dichotomy, analyzing what is at stake for different social strata who seek democracy and social justice in Armenia today. [abstracts]
Panelists: Armineh Arakelian, John Hughes , Simon Maghakyan
Moderator: Kim Hekimian-Arzoumanian

7) Closing Plenary: Coalition Building Among Dispossessed Peoples
This panel looks at possible coalition-building strategies for dispossessed peoples -- including, but not limited to the Armenians.   It also looks at those issues that can unite or separate the Armenian Cause from other, similar movements.
Panelists: Tariq Ali, David Barsamian, Nubar Hovsepian
Moderator: Antranig Kasbarian