An Interview with Mr. Armen Orujyan: About ATHGO (Alliance Toward Harnessing Global Opportunities)

Michael F. Shaughnessy

Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, New Mexico 88130

ATHGO International is based in the United States. It’s mission is training, motivating, and inspiring future generations of international professionals to become decision-makers and diplomats with the skills and vision to cope with the rapid changes and challenges of the 21st century. Established in 1999, ATHGO has been awarded consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the United Nations Department of Public Information for its role in educating young people in global human rights, democratic development, economic freedom, security, and other issues of a global dimension. ATHGO International offers a practicum-based learning experiences aimed at international affairs-oriented students and entry-level professionals that introduces tomorrow’s potential policy-makers to key issues of global concern.(taken from their web site at www.athgo.org)  In this interview, Mr. Armen Orujyan responds to questions about ATHGO and it’s conferences, it’s mission and purpose.

1)      Please tell us about the upcoming conference. What is it’s main function or purpose?

The symposium in Yerevan will briefly present the UN Millennium Development Goal 8 and then move to introducing Information and Communication Technologies that may enhance and accelerate growth in developing countries.  The participants, after four days of discussions and research, will draft a resolution comprised of innovative, yet practical implementation strategies and a possible plan of action to meet the proposed goal by 2015.

2)      How long as ATHGO been in existence and what is the source of it’s funding?

The organization has been working on global issues for over seven years now.  Our funding comes from a variety of sources, predominately from private and public foundations and entities.  We receive no government funding.

3)      A difficult question, but certainly one that must be addressed. I type this on September 11^th, 2006 as we pause to mourn and remember the attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania. How can your organization possibly prepare the world so that this type of event will not occur again?

We will not claim that we have all the answers and solution to world problems.  Nor will I say that today we are able to prevent catastrophes of this nature.  September 11, 2006 taught us many lessons, however.  One particular one that I would like to highlight is the need for an open and honest dialog between global societies as to prevent germination of terrorists in the future.  We like to focus on the core cause rather than the effect.  I believe once we understand the, so-called, terrorist DNA, we will be well on our way to stopping September 11^ths of the future.  A common mistake that people make in the fight against terrorism is looking at it at face value.  To analogize, this would be similar to fighting poor health.  Taking drugs with temporary relief does just that – it alleviates provisionally.  We ought to examine and find solutions about the problem’s foundation and formation.  ATHGO opens up a dialog and highlights global issues from apolitical perspective.  Meaning, the truth and the reality are not meshed in any sort of a political manifestation and are void of a short term unidirectional political objective.  We try, to the best of our abilities, to display the whole story, the plot, and not just the end credits.

4)      Further, we have had bombings in London on the tube and buses, and apparently a plot to explode planes in mid-air en route from London to the U.S.

Most issues can be and ought to be solved with a long lasting honest dialog.  This is not to say that today’s terrorism battle should be conducted only on that front.  However, all of the military action should be complemented with an ongoing, reasonable, just, and honest dialog.  I highlight honesty, because propagating an objective and carrying a direct truthful dialog are not one and the same.  Mind you, differentiating those two events is easier said than done.  Believe it or not, military action is easier to conduct than a sincere discussion.  Military is a quick fix if you have the might. However, at the same time, solely militarily obtained security is fragile with deeper and long lasting wounds.  Many people consider military intervention as just another means of diplomacy.  It may be true.  Nonetheless, as in many things, some of the tools used may not necessarily solve the problems or bring the best results.  Our engagement has to be unified, well calculated, balanced, systematic, and on all the fronts. 

5)      Last year, you held your conference in Armenia. What was the response and how many nations attended?

We had a very successful event in Armenia last year.  The participants drafted a wonderful resolution that is complete of new ideas about meeting the UN MDG 8 by 2015.  Young individuals assembled from about a dozen of countries.  Our events, besides having the educational factor are also much entertaining and enjoyable.  The experience is enhanced with networking opportunities, social groupings, and sightseeing experiences. 

6)      Do you have “themes” to your conferences? Is there training offered?

Every event examines a current ongoing issue of regional or global scale.  Training and education is part of the experience.

7)      Currently, we are faced with problems in North Korea, Iran, Iraq and many other countries. What type of education is needed to help those countries, and to help diplomats and ambassadors work with such nations?

The leading societies should be more open and inviting.  The younger generation needs to learn that the more inviting and less threatening we are, the more these closed societies would be willing to work with us and become hospitable themselves.  We are ready to punish first and rarely do we recognize positive signs and encouraging actions from societies that are different from ours.  It is almost like child rearing. The more attention we grant to bad habits, the more of those behavior we will observe, since it produces acknowledgement and recognition.

8)      What is the nature of your relationship with the United Nations?  What exactly is the United Nation’s Global Alliance for ICT? Why is this important?

We hold consultative status with the UN NGO Section and the UN Department of Public Information.  The UN Global Alliance for ICT and Development is a new initiative that brings together UN member states, private and public entities, and the civil society to work together in order to achieve faster development through rapidly growing ICT.  Integrating Information and Communication Technologies in the developing world may significantly accelerate the development of those societies.  The assistance may cut costs, induce production, and create new jobs – directly and indirectly.

9)      Do you have a web site where readers can gain more information?

Please visit www.athgo.org for more information about the organization and our programs.

10)  What question have I neglected to ask?

A question about our future plans may be interesting.  ATHGO is planning to expand its programs worldwide by 2010.  We will host seven symposia in 2007.  Currently we are at the U.N. in New York, World Bank in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Yerevan, Armenia.  We will return to these cities and expand to Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia next year.  We will also host our first international summit in Geneva a year from now.