Page 16 - DIVA_1_2018

INTERNATIONAL

sake of their people. So, it is an organization that has a know if you are aware of this, but, for instance, in the
certain spirit of volunteerism, though many people do ancient city of Jerusalem where the Judeo, Christian and
not understand that volunteering gives satisfaction. It is a Muslim civilizations stood, about 25% of the ancient city
legacy that we carry within us and carry on. Unfortunate- belongs equally to the Muslims, which number roughly
ly, we are a little too scattered, and everyone expects a 1.4 billion in the world; 25% to the different Christian
lot from us. Soldiers die on the battlefield, families must denominations (except the Armenians); 25% to the Jews;
be helped, those who are hit in Iraq and Syria must be and 25% belongs to the Armenians! This little nation of
helped, and there are so many other situations that re- 10 million controls 25% of the old city of Jerusalem!
quire our assistance. We do our best. This goes back centuries. When we invite people to visit
Jerusalem we tell them that even if you have 1/4, 1/8 or
Q: How do you help Armenian families who are 1/16 Armenian blood in your veins, you belong to the
stranded in Syria or in Iraq? Armenian community, and thus you are co-owner of a
Where there is a will, there is a way. They are helped civilization. We want the new generation to feel proud
with humanitarian and relief programs, food, medicine of its origins.
- all that is necessary for everyday life. For others, we try
to create job opportunities. For instance, some of those Q: From what fraction of ancestry do you consider
who leave Syria are farmers. The Armenian authorities someone Armenian?
have given them arable land in Armenia, and the Asso- As long as there is a small drop of Armenian blood! To
ciation has provided them with tractors and other types be a member of our Association, you do not need to be
of agricultural equipment and they have been successful an Armenian. We are open to everybody. Anyone who
in starting a new life. This is only one example among believes in Armenian values can join.
many. We have set up health facilities where these people Those with 1/4or 1/8 of Armenian blood are often much
can get medical care. We have a partnership with UNI- more attached to their roots than the others. This is the
CEF. As we are a most transparent organization, other direction we follow, because we must take into account
international organizations welcome the opportunity to the social reality of our new emerging communities and
work with us. see what we can do. Being Armenian is not an end in it-
self. We encourage, as much as possible, every Armenian
Our concern consists also of how to help Armenia main- who succeeds within or outside the Armenian world to
tain its population and limit the effects of immigration. promote the values we represent.
The diaspora has helped new generations to live and in- To sum up, we try to do something for our people and our
tegrate into the communities wherever they are, but at the ethnic, cultural, religious and historical heritage, even if
same time we do not wish for them to cut themselves off it is only a drop in the sea....
from their roots in assimilating. This is our biggest chal-
lenge, if I can put it this way. For example, the Armenian Leaving Mu Berge Setrakian office we must admit that
language is very important, but today it is no longer the we are very impressed not only by what we have learned
only source for maintaining an identity. A large majority but also by his dedication to all his volunteer work in ad-
of the diaspora's children no longer speak the Armenian dition to his busy law practice.
language and, as a result, different alternative programs
have been set up. We try to inculcate in the new genera-
tion a pride in belonging to the Armenian nation. I do not

14 DIVA INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAT