{"id":6620,"date":"2015-10-24T20:13:06","date_gmt":"2015-10-24T20:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/?p=6620"},"modified":"2015-10-24T20:13:06","modified_gmt":"2015-10-24T20:13:06","slug":"anca-wr-grassroots-conference-galvanizes-hundreds-to-pursue-hye-tahd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/?p=6620","title":{"rendered":"ANCA-WR Grassroots Conference Galvanizes Hundreds to Pursue Hye Tahd"},"content":{"rendered":"

CENTURY CITY, Calif.\u2014On October 23-24, more than 600 community leaders and members, scholars and activists gathered at the iconic Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel for the 3rd Armenian National Committee of America \u2013 Western Region Grassroots Conference<\/a> to continue their active pursuit of the Armenian Cause.<\/p>\n

The conference kicked off Friday evening with welcoming remarks by ANCA-WR<\/a> chairwoman, Nora Hovsepian, Esq., who enumerated some of the recent ANCA<\/a> initiatives, stating that the conference was designed to educate and empower its participants to become a more dominant force in advancing the aspirations of the Armenian Nation.<\/p>\n

Grassroots committee member and long-time activist Nora Yacoubian introduced the evening\u2019s Film & The Arts panel, which was an on stage interview with author and actor Eric Bogosian conducted by playwright and attorney Aram Kouyoumdjian.<\/p>\n

The talk centered on Bogosian\u2019s recent book, \u201cOperation Nemesis: The Assassination Plot that Avenged the Armenian Genocide.\u201d During the engaging one-on-one, Bogosian described in great detail some of the challenges he faced while working on the book, and highlighted his persistence to have this important story told, advancing this chapter in Armenian history in non-Armenian, mainstream literary circles.<\/p>\n

During the interview, Bogosian reflected on the Armenian Genocide Centennial, stating, \u201cWe dreaded that there wouldn\u2019t be enough attention on the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide\u2026and I have to credit the ANCA for really being the driving force of making sure enough attention was given to it.\u201d Bogosian also embraced his Armenian identity, declaring, \u201cWe are not better than others. We are incredible.\u201d Bogosian received the ANCA-WR Arts & Letters Award at the organization\u2019s annual Gala on Sunday.<\/p>\n

A long line for Bogosian\u2019s book signing session followed the evening\u2019s presentation where conference attendees had the opportunity to meet the author and actor. The success of the first day was later celebrated at a welcoming reception organized by the Grassroots Conference committee in the Olympic ballroom of the hotel.<\/p>\n

The five panels on Saturday became an interwoven narrative of the fundamentals of Hye Tahd, with an informative presentation on present-day struggles facing Armenians in Turkey, including the burgeoning youth movements that among other things were demanding the return of Camp Armen to the Armenian community. Just two days after the conference, news came that the protesters\u2019 efforts had succeeded, and that Camp Armen was indeed being returned to its rightful owners. Presentations were also made on the Hidden Armenians\u2014their struggle to emerge from the shadows and into the Armenian reality. This was followed by a discussion about the immediate needs and action items for Hye Tahd, using the 166,000-strong March for Justice on April 24 in Los Angeles as a departure point. Legal experts presented thought-provoking premises on pursuing the Armenian Cause through the international legal system, while elected officials representing local, state and federal offices, discussed the ways in which Armenians can engage to play a more integral role in politics. A powerful panel on the imperative of adapting to and adopting new\u2014more effective\u2014means of communication to conform with changing times encapsulated the message and brought to a close the 2015 ANCA-WR Grassroots Conference.<\/p>\n