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INTERNATIONAL

was reformed and founded new
branches in Armenian-populated
regions of the Near East, Greece,
France and the US and organized
villages, schools, etc.
After the death of Boghos Nubar
in 1930, oil magnate and promi-
nent Armenian figure Calouste
Gulbenkian took over the presi-
dency of AGBU. During the
Second World War, the AGBU
headquarters moved from Paris
to New York, owing to the Nazi
occupation. In 1942, Arshak
Karagheusian became the fourth
President of AGBU.
AGBU's activities aimed at na-
tional preservation became more
focused during the post-war pe-
riod, especially during Alex Ma-
noogian's tenure between 1953
and 1989. AGBU expanded and
became the biggest and most in-
fluential Armenian diaspora or-
ganization in the world. In 1954
Alex Manoogian founded the
Alex and Marie Manoogian Cul-
tural Fund, and the construction
and development of a number
of educational and community
establishments were funded by
The organization itself has gone through phases. It was Mr. Manoogian over the next several years, practically in
not created in response to the genocide, but earlier in every Armenian community in the diaspora.
1906. This is not an organization that was created by the Today, AGBU has chapters in 74 cities in 31 countries
people for the people; it was initiated mainly for the per- around the world, with 69 districts and chapters and 33
petuation of the Armenian identity at that time. groups of Young Professionals spread worldwide in the
Its founder, Boghos Nubar was the son of the prime min- US, Europe, the Near East, South America and Australia.
ister of Egypt, who in the 1890s had also been Minister AGBU has 24 schools and funds more than 16 educa-
of Justice and Minister of Finance. As early as between tional institutions.
1906 and 1912, AGBU was providing the villagers of In 1989, Louise Manoogian Simone, the daughter of Alex
Western Armenia with seeds, agricultural instruments, etc. Manoogian, became the President of AGBU. This gave a
to help them stay on their land. It established schools and new life to the strengthening of ties between the Arme-
orphanages in Western Armenia, Cilicia and other Arme- nians of Armenia and the diaspora. In 1988, immediately
nian-populated regions of the Ottoman Empire. In 1914, following the Spitak earthquake, AGBU organized the
AGBU had 142 branches in Western Armenia, Cilicia, transport of food, clothing and medicine to the disaster
the US, Argentina, Europe and Africa. zone. In 1990, AGBU opened a representative office in
The First World War and the Armenian genocide were turn- Yerevan, restarting its activities and humanitarian assis-
ing points for both the Armenian nation and AGBU. tance in Armenia after a 50-year absence. AGBU carries
In 1914, Boghos Nubar left Egypt and moved to Paris. out projects aimed at and contributing to the development
Despite huge losses in different chapters of the organi- of the country and the relationship between Armenia and
zation, AGBU managed to render tangible help to the the diaspora.
genocide survivors. AGBU established a large number I am the 6th President in the 112 years of the organiza-
of orphanages and camps for women refugees. In the tion's existence. All of my predecessors were extraordi-
years following the genocide, AGBU became involved nary patrons, the greatest Armenian benefactors of the
mainly in taking care of orphans. After the war, AGBU last century who gave their love and patronage for the

INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAT - DIVA 13