Armenian Cause 2.0 conference focuses on vital issues

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian American community leaders and grassroots activists from across the United States converged in the nation's capital for a long weekend of inter-active advocacy training, networking, and Congressional visits as part of the Armenian National Committee of America's (ANCA) Armenian Cause 2.0 conference.

"We are tremendously encouraged by the enthusiasm of Armenian Cause 2.0, and look forward - in cooperation with our regional offices and local chapters - to harvesting the ideas and energy of this truly unique conference to more effectively advance the views and values of our community," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We were especially gratified to see the conferees - who represented a remarkable level of diversity in terms of age, background, affiliation, and geography - all brought together by a shared commitment to working together toward our community's shared aims and aspirations."

Over 200 veteran activists and political novices joined together for the four-day conference from communities across the country - ranging from traditionally well represented states such as California, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey to new ANCA outreach states including South Carolina, Nebraska, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama.

The formal program began with a panel discussion and question and answer session featuring former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans and ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian on the state of Armenian American advocacy and the opportunities and challenges the community faces in helping to shape U.S. policy toward Armenia and the region.

Subsequent break-out sessions focused on reversing Turkey's confiscation of Armenian Churches; efforts to expand Armenian American participation in the 2012 elections and a special focus on using social media to expand the reach of Armenian American advocacy.

Conferees were invited to participate in an extended question and answer session with ANCA Western Region and Eastern Region leaders including George Aghjayan, Nora Hovsepian, Berdj Karapetian and Steve Mesrobian.

The educational and training portions were augmented by a series of social and networking opportunities including a guided tour of the Woodrow Wilson House.

A group of the conferees also had an opportunity for an off-the-record discussion with Assistant Secretary of State Phil Gordon.