The Second Pan-Homenetmen Youth Conference
The Second Pan-Homenetmen Youth Conference
The strategic plan adopted by Homenetmen in 2011 paid special attention to a segment of the organization that, after participating in Homenetmen as a scout or athlete during their teenage years, often feel "inactive" after turning 18. As a result, they drift away from the organization and only return after a significant break—either to serve administratively in their affiliated union or as parents, guiding their children back to the environment where they grew up and were shaped.
To address the issue of members’ “inactivity” and harness the potential of young people aged 18 to 35, the 10th General Assembly of Homenetmen decided to create an environment within the organization to bring together former scouts and athletes aged 18 to 35, enabling them to contribute their professional skills, expertise, and organizational interests to Homenetmen’s initiatives.
In parallel, it was decided to organize youth conferences every four years to engage closely with Homenetmen’s youth, hear their concerns and challenges, and understand their perspectives on the present and future of Homenetmen. Four years ago, in May 2019, the first youth conference in the organization’s history was held in Athens. Four years later, in April 2023, the second youth conference took place in Nicosia, closely examining the issues affecting Armenian youth in general, specifically Homenetmen members, in light of modern challenges while striving to find new solutions and create new areas of activity.
The conference included an official opening ceremony, plenary and working sessions, visits to national institutions, and social activities.
THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
The official opening of Homenetmen’s Second Youth Conference took place on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 10:00 AM, with a formal ceremony broadcast live on the organization’s Facebook page.
The opening ceremony was followed by a reception. After a short break, the conference began its sessions at noon in the hall of the Semeli Hotel in Nicosia.
CONFERENCE KICKOFF
In his opening speech, Yeghpayr Vatche Nadjarian, the Chairman of Homenetmen’s Central (Executive) Committee, emphasized that youth has always been and remains at the core of all Homenetmen initiatives. He highlighted the significant role young people play in the organization’s activities. Over the past four years, Homenetmen has been developing a specialized youth program, set to be finalized at the 13th General Assembly in October 2023. This conference, like the previous one, serves as a platform and an opportunity for young members to express their concerns and ensure their voices are heard at the General Assembly. Delegates from the conference will be elected to convey the proposals and ideas discussed in the sessions to the General Assembly.
Following the agenda, the conference participants introduced themselves, sharing their backgrounds within Homenetmen and their professional education. It was revealed that the average age of attendees was 23.7 years. Delegates from various regions were represented at the conference:
Eastern United States – Lilia Yousefian, Narod Keyvanian
Australia – Masis Ghazarian, Sarin Zaitounian, Zepure Gulboyan
South America – Sofia Torkomian, Hagop Tutushian, Karine Dermarkarian
Greece – Mariam Tsinarian, George Selimian
Lebanon – Armen Yeghiaian, Shahan Nadjarian, Eva Ghazarian
Homenetmen-HASK – Aren Reisian
Homenetmen-France – Gassia Vekilian
Marseille – Méliné Derboghosian (the only participant who also attended the first youth conference in Athens in 2019), Haig Minassian
Södertälje – Nancy Khachadurian, Garig Vartanian
Almelo – Razmig Aramian
Tbilisi – Janet Baghdasarian
Cyprus – Barrett Kazandjian, Alex Kazandjian, Karpis Chilingirian, Dzovinar DerBedrossian, Vana Habeshian.
Additionally, members of Homenetmen’s Central (Executive) Committee and the coordinators of the Youth Conference were present, including Yeghpayrner Vatche Nadjarian, Vicken Avakian, Oshin Piroumyan, and Kouyr Taline Ordoghlian. From the host region, members of Homenetmen-HEM Cyprus Solitary Committee included Yeghpayrner Sarhad Demirjian (Chairman) and Hagop Kazandjian (Secretary). Kouyr Rubina Nalbandian from Homenetmen’s South America Regional Committee was also among the attendees.
On this occasion, Yeghpayr Sarhad Demirjian, Chairman of the host region’s Executive Committee, delivered a welcome speech, wishing success to the conference proceedings. In his address, he stated:
"During this conference, we will all remain faithful to the organization’s principles and adopt programs that will contribute to the education of Armenian youth. These programs will help them grow with national consciousness and serve their people and homeland with devotion. Let us all do our fair share in this conference—with selfless sacrifice, unwavering faith, and steadfast commitment. These values have allowed Homenetmen to overcome obstacles for over 100 years, guiding its steps toward progress and goodness, and instilling hope and self-confidence in successive generations."
Following the speech by Yeghpayr Demirdjian, the conference established its steering committee and elected members for the promotional and ballot-counting committees.
The Steering committee members were Masis Ghazarian (Australia) and Narod Keyvanian (Eastern United States) as chairmans, Shahan Nadjarian (Lebanon) and Nancy Khachadurian (Södertälje) as secretaries.
The promotional committee consisted of Zepure Gulboyan (Australia), Aren Reisian (Homenetmen-HASK), Garig Vartanian (Södertälje), Eva Ghazarian (Lebanon), and Karine Dermarkarian (South America).
The Ballot-Counting Committee included Razmig Aramian (Almelo), Hagop Tutushian (South America), and Gassia Vekilian (Homenetmen-France).
Following this, a video prepared by Homenetmen’s Central (Executive) Committee’s Promotional Committee was presented. The video featured five Homenetmen participants who had been elected at the previous youth conference and later took part in Homenetmen’s 12th General Assembly. They shared their insights and experiences, highlighting the valuable and educational aspects of their participation.
The featured participants were Njdeh Meguerditchian (Lebanon), Tro Atolikian (Canada), Shahan Atmajian (Western United States), Sevag Ketendjian (Lebanon), and Silva Arslanian (South America).
CONFERENCE DISCUSSIONS
During the final part of the first session, Yeghpayr Vatche Nadjarian, chairman of Homenetmen’s Central (Executive) Committee, delivered a PowerPoint presentation on "Homenetmen’s Mission: Past and Present."
Participants were then divided into four working groups to conduct a SWOT analysis of Homenetmen—identifying its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The groups worked separately and then presented their conclusions to the conference.
Following a lunch break, Archbishop Khoren Doghramadjian, Catholicosate Vicar of the Cyprus Diocese, joined the conference as a guest of Homenetmen’s Central (Executive) Committee.
Later in the afternoon, at 4:00 PM, Archbishop Khoren Doghramadjian delivered a presentation on "The Challenges and Expectations of Armenian Youth." Yeghpayr Hagop Kazandjian, secretary of Homenetmen-HEM Cyprus, discussed "How Well Do Homenetmen’s Structural, Organizational, Educational, and Promotional Approaches Align with the Expectations of Today’s Youth?" Both presentations sparked engaging discussions among the participants.
The first day of the conference concluded at 6:45 PM.
INTRODUCTION TO HOMENETMEN’S YOUTH GUIDE
On Saturday, April 29, the second day of the conference, participants began with an introductory session on Homenetmen’s Youth Guide.
Yeghpayr Oshin Piroumyan, a member of Homenetmen’s Central (Executive) Committee and head of the youth activities, delivered a PowerPoint presentation on "The Framework of Homenetmen’s Youth Activities: A Discussion on the Youth Guide."
In his presentation, he explained the motivation behind creating a youth environment within Homenetmen, along this line, outlined the decisions of successive General Assemblies along this line, and described the process of developing the Youth Guide. He also highlighted that while the Youth conference and Youth Guide are distinct initiatives, they are interconnected, both aiming to unite and utilize the potential of former scouts and athletes aged 18 to 35 for the organization’s growth.
Next, Yeghpayr Vicken Avakian, Secretary of Homenetmen’s Central (Executive) Committee, editor of "Marzig," and youth activities coordinator, presented a PowerPoint discussion on "Homenetmen’s Youth Guide and Opportunities for New Fields of Action." He addressed the profile, interests, and needs of today’s youth, highlighting the innovations and initiatives that can attract, engage, and mobilize young members.
Both topics sparked in-depth discussions among the participants. Divided into working groups, they analyzed the Youth Guide in specialized sessions and later presented their proposals to the conference.
During the lunch break, Vartkes Mahdessian, the representative of the Armenian community in the Cypriot government, visited the conference participants. In the afternoon session, he delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the history and present state of the Armenian community in Cyprus. He shared valuable insights on the formation of the Armenian population on the island, the damages suffered due to the Turkish invasion of 1974, and the communities’ subsequent recovery and resurgence in the following years.
After the presentation by State Representative Vartkes Mahdessian, the conference moved on to its final agenda items, which included reviewing general proposals submitted by participants and conducting elections for Homenetmen’s 13th General Assembly delegates.
According to a decision by Homenetmen’s Central (Executive) Committee, three youth participants could be selected as observers through a simple majority vote. However, no candidate secured the required number of votes. As a result, the Central (Executive) Committee decided to invite the top three candidates with the highest votes. Since there was a tie for the third-highest vote count, the final number of invited delegates was four: Hagop Tutushian (South America), Armen Yeghiaian (Lebanon), Nancy Khachadurian (Södertälje), and Sarin Zaitounian (Australia).
After two days of sessions, the conference concluded on Saturday, April 29, at 5:00 PM, with a commemorative group photo and a performance of the song "Haratch Nahadag.”