Varak Sisserian | American University of Armenia (original) (raw)

Other Docs by Varak Sisserian

Preserving Armenian identity in Lebanon and in those countries where traditional Armenian diaspor... more Preserving Armenian identity in Lebanon and in those countries where traditional Armenian diaspora institutions exist has been much easier than in Russia. Given the fact that Russia is hosting the largest number of ethnic Armenians? it is utterly important to understand the root-causes and implications for high degree of assimilation of Armenians in Russia? Naturally many factors weigh in the above-mentioned divergent outcomes of Armenians identity preservation in various countries. A big portion of these factors is predetermined by the realities of particular host country (political system, history and geography and etc), and are beyond the influence of Armenian communities of both Lebanon and Russia. However, the research conducted in these two countries showed, there are also factors that influence identity preservation that are within the scope of influence of Armenians. This research sets to claim that the existence of effective and interconnected web of institutions is one of the key reasons behind the success of Lebanese Armenians in keeping their identity strong and thriving. On the contrary, the lack of such sustainable institutions and the experience of sporadic mobilizations have been the characteristic features of the Russian Armenian communities. Based on the lessons learned from the experience of Lebanese Armenians institutions the research has developed a set of policy recommendations that can hopefully enhance the capacity of Russian Armenian institutions and increase the effectiveness of identity preservation efforts in Russia. Some of those recommendations, naturally, are targeting those institutions that exist in various Armenian communities of Russia. Consolidation of Armenian institutions and synchronization of their activities, as well as experience sharing within and beyond Russian Armenians, will positively affect identity preservation efforts among Armenian communities in Russia. However, taking into account the importance of the matter as well as the existing structures and opportunities, (re)organization and institutionalization of Russian Armenians should attract greater attention of the other actors as well; pan-Armenian institutions such as Armenian Apostolic Church and pan-diasporic organizations should do more to assist the efforts of Armenians residing in Russia. Most importantly the Armenian state should have more proactive role in mediating the existing grievances, mistrust and lack of institutional resources in Russian Armenian communities, especially taking into account the fact that there are a number of state institutions mandated with that task, Ministry of Diaspora being the main one.

Papers by Varak Sisserian

Diaspora Studies, 2016

The article examines and compares the institutional structures of Armenian diasporas of Russia an... more The article examines and compares the institutional structures of Armenian diasporas of Russia and Lebanon with the intention of identifying factors that could explain the diverging outcomes in institution building and identity preservation in these communities. The study also aims to contribute to the current understanding of how different diasporic communities of the same diaspora can have discrepancies in terms of their characteristics, institutional structures and policy outcomes. Based on the existing theoretical literature, the article explores the main factors that influence the characteristics of particular communities, including discussion of conditions in the hostland, the origins of community as well as the level of institutionalization of diasporic organizations. The article also explains the role of each of these factors and triangulates them with the results of in-depth interviews conducted with the representatives all core diasporic institutions in both countries. Con...

Preserving Armenian identity in Lebanon and in those countries where traditional Armenian diaspor... more Preserving Armenian identity in Lebanon and in those countries where traditional Armenian diaspora institutions exist has been much easier than in Russia. Given the fact that Russia is hosting the largest number of ethnic Armenians? it is utterly important to understand the root-causes and implications for high degree of assimilation of Armenians in Russia? Naturally many factors weigh in the above-mentioned divergent outcomes of Armenians identity preservation in various countries. A big portion of these factors is predetermined by the realities of particular host country (political system, history and geography and etc), and are beyond the influence of Armenian communities of both Lebanon and Russia. However, the research conducted in these two countries showed, there are also factors that influence identity preservation that are within the scope of influence of Armenians. This research sets to claim that the existence of effective and interconnected web of institutions is one of the key reasons behind the success of Lebanese Armenians in keeping their identity strong and thriving. On the contrary, the lack of such sustainable institutions and the experience of sporadic mobilizations have been the characteristic features of the Russian Armenian communities. Based on the lessons learned from the experience of Lebanese Armenians institutions the research has developed a set of policy recommendations that can hopefully enhance the capacity of Russian Armenian institutions and increase the effectiveness of identity preservation efforts in Russia. Some of those recommendations, naturally, are targeting those institutions that exist in various Armenian communities of Russia. Consolidation of Armenian institutions and synchronization of their activities, as well as experience sharing within and beyond Russian Armenians, will positively affect identity preservation efforts among Armenian communities in Russia. However, taking into account the importance of the matter as well as the existing structures and opportunities, (re)organization and institutionalization of Russian Armenians should attract greater attention of the other actors as well; pan-Armenian institutions such as Armenian Apostolic Church and pan-diasporic organizations should do more to assist the efforts of Armenians residing in Russia. Most importantly the Armenian state should have more proactive role in mediating the existing grievances, mistrust and lack of institutional resources in Russian Armenian communities, especially taking into account the fact that there are a number of state institutions mandated with that task, Ministry of Diaspora being the main one.

Diaspora Studies, 2016

The article examines and compares the institutional structures of Armenian diasporas of Russia an... more The article examines and compares the institutional structures of Armenian diasporas of Russia and Lebanon with the intention of identifying factors that could explain the diverging outcomes in institution building and identity preservation in these communities. The study also aims to contribute to the current understanding of how different diasporic communities of the same diaspora can have discrepancies in terms of their characteristics, institutional structures and policy outcomes. Based on the existing theoretical literature, the article explores the main factors that influence the characteristics of particular communities, including discussion of conditions in the hostland, the origins of community as well as the level of institutionalization of diasporic organizations. The article also explains the role of each of these factors and triangulates them with the results of in-depth interviews conducted with the representatives all core diasporic institutions in both countries. Con...