Gathering of AGBU Buenos Aires committees at AGBU Center, Buenos Aires
On November 12, 2024, the newly installed president of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Sam Simonian completed a nine-day landmark tour of key cities in South America, reinforcing the organization’s mission to foster cultural, educational, and social development across the AGBU global network. The tour was the first leg of what will be a year-long itinerary of in-person visits with select AGBU chapters and entities worldwide.
Visits took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Montevideo, Uruguay, and São Paulo, Brazil where Simonian met with a host of local and national leaders, accompanied by his delegation, including Sylva Simonian, new AGBU Council of Trustees member Elie Akilian, AGBU Central Board member Lena Sarkissian, AGBU Strategic Advisory Council member Sevahn Simonian, and AGBU Young Professionals (YP) Manager Christina Lalama.
Before embarking on the trip, Simonian explained: “Following the best practices of AGBU leadership, I am eager to establish in-person touchpoints with our AGBU local communities—to listen, learn and get to know them in their own environment. This will help better acquaint me with the challenges and opportunities of this region, as we look ahead to the future. I also want to reassure the local leaders that AGBU’s global leadership is in their corner, not only to help them reach their local goals but also to help them fulfill our strategic vision for the organization worldwide. This is a good time to align ourselves with the broader movements and major trends in society and reset AGBU priorities accordingly.”
Argentina Visit
In Buenos Aires, Simonian was welcomed by Argentine government officials and members of the Armenian community, where he reaffirmed the importance of local cultural programs, Armenian schools, and youth engagement activities. He also commended the community for its resilience, dedication, and active contributions to Armenian identity.
The trip fortuitously coincided with the 50th anniversary of AGBU’s Instituto Marie Manoogian (IMM), giving the delegation an opportunity to take part in the school’s celebrations. The team was gratified to meet with Buenos Aires City Mayor Jorge Macri, who spoke at the celebration. In his congratulatory remarks, Macri said, “You Armenians often thank Argentina for welcoming your ancestors, for integrating them, for embracing your people. But I want to thank the Armenians for making Argentina what it is today.”
While in Argentina, the agenda was punctuated with high level meetings with the Buenos Aires Chapter committee members and those from IMM to discuss curriculum and new developments in education.
Sarkissian, an education specialist and Central Board advisor to the AGBU education department, met with IMM high school Principal Marco Martin and Ana Salgado, the director of the kindergarten and primary school, and Rector Juan Balian, as well as members of the teaching faculty and the school board’s educational committee.
Sarkissian later reported that the discussions were very productive. “Three priorities were identified by the school, which we are pleased to know are being actively pursued. First, IMM is looking to increase English language fluency among students. They also recognize the need to maximize the integration of innovation and technology into the school curricula. With regard to enrollment, they would like to increase the student population by as many as 100 students,” Sarkissian noted, adding that she imparted to the IMM leaders that the Central Board is seeking to ensure that each AGBU educational institution reaches a standard that assures financial sustainability and student success as well as reinforces community engagement and contribution.
At the same time, Simonian sat in on the IMM English, Armenian and computer programming classes in session, engaging directly with the students. On the cultural front, he and his team attended an exhibition of artwork created by IMM alumni, on display on the school’s premises.
Throughout the Buenos Aires visit, Simonian and his team interacted with Armenian youth from scouts and sports groups (where he joined a soccer game in progress) to students and young professionals.
They met with the Liga de Jóvenes, YP Buenos Aires and Antranik Scouts at the AGBU Buenos Aires Center, followed by a meeting with the AGBU Buenos Aires Executive Board and Committees, led by Chair Antonio Sarafian. That evening, they were treated to a traditional Armenian dinner at the acclaimed Restaurant AGBU in Villa Crespo, a 47-year-old non-profit venture benefiting IMM’s annual senior trip to Armenia and a favorite among mainstream patrons and tourists alike.
In addition to attending an AGBU Buenos Aires awards ceremony and meeting with AGBU leaders, educators, and program participants, Simonian engaged with high-profile figures, dignitaries, and public officials in the Armenian and mainstream Argentine spheres. This included Argentine business magnate and philanthropist Eduardo Eurnekian and nephews Martin and Hugo, in addition to representatives from other Armenian organizations such as the Tekeyan Cultural Association, St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, and the Armenian Institutions of the Republic of Argentina (IARA). Meetings with diplomatic officials included the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Marc Stanley and Armenian Ambassador to Argentina Hovhannes Virabyan, as well as High Commissioner of Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, also visiting the country from Armenia.
Representatives and leaders from the AGBU Cordoba chapter, led by Secretary Claudia Torcomian, in addition to its Liga de Jóvenes and recently launched Young Professionals group, traveled the long distance across the country to personally welcome Simonian to Argentina and present their ideas to bolster youth development and connect Armenian youth regionally.
Uruguay Visit
The first order of AGBU business in Montevideo was a tour of the AGBU Uruguay Center and a work session with Uruguay’s National Administration of Public Education (ANEP). Simonian, Sarkissian and Akilian discussed the joint projects of AGBU X ANEP with Aldo Rodriguez, the ANEP director of language policies. Rodríguez made a presentation to the delegation about these and other initiatives under consideration. AGBU Montevideo is also exploring ways to reorganize and maximize the impact of the resources available to implement them.
The Armenians of Uruguay have been hailed as highly influential in the country’s educational system, most notably through the efforts of AGBU Uruguay. To date, the national government has incorporated the Armenian language into the curriculum country-wide and has developed a series of books to teach Armenian as a foreign language called Luys yev Armen.
The next day they met with the AGBU Uruguay committee, chaired by Jose Geozucaraian, followed by a visit to Armenian Ambassador to Uruguay Mariam Gevorgyan at the Armenian Embassy.
Brazil Visit
After meeting with Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil Bishop Narek Berberian at the Armenian Cathedral of St. George and visiting its Armenian school, Simonian and his team enjoyed a welcome lunch with AGBU Brazil board members and Armenia’s Youth Chess Team, which was in town to compete in the FIDA Youth Chess Championships. The Chapter hosted a dinner in Simonian’s honor with representatives of all of Brazil’s AGBU committees and other Armenian organizations in attendance as well as the Ambassador of Armenia to Brazil Armen Yeganian and Brazil’s Secretary of Science, Technology, and Innovation of the State of São Paulo Vahan Agopyan. On the last day, the delegation visited the AGBU facilities for a working meeting with AGBU São Paulo Chair Avedis Markossian and AGBU committee members about future possibilities.
Throughout the South American tour, Simonian expressed appreciation for the unwavering support of local Armenian communities in the region. He also encouraged continued collaboration and solidarity in meeting broader Armenian initiatives, emphasizing the role of innovation and technology in enhancing Armenian causes globally. He shared insights from AGBU programs focused on STEAM education and digital arts, underscoring how connecting innovative platforms are essential for connecting Armenian youth worldwide, thereby fostering a shared cultural identity.
Impressions and Appreciation
Upon his return to the United States, Simonian praised the hard work and effort by the local hosts for making his mission to the region so rewarding and inspiring. “This first visit to the Latin-American Armenian community reflected well on AGBU’s longstanding commitment to empower local Armenian communities worldwide. The enthusiasm, vibrancy, thoughtfulness, and talent demonstrated throughout our tour stands out as a model of what can be accomplished when good ideas are driven by open minds and shared visions of the future. I cannot thank everyone enough for the warmth, hospitality, and goodwill that they extended to us. It’s an experience we will cherish, and we look forward to further engagement, collaboration, and productive in-person exchanges like these.”
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. To learn more visit www.agbu.org.
ORER.EU
Delegation at welcome lunch with Armenia’s Youth Chess Team, São Paulo
