What is Lebanon? A memory of that most vibrant of 20th century Armenian diaspora communities. Beirut, a mythically beautiful Paris of the Middle East. An indestructible Phoenix that rises each time from the ashes. A shattered illusion of something that had long been crumbling. A prime example of criminal destruction of a beloved country by an avaricious, selfish, cowardly elite. A home so important that it must be rebuilt, must be reshaped, must be fixed, whatever the costs. These are not questions but conflicting ideas held by many people, often simultaneously by each individual.
We bring together 4 young people in or from Beirut to present their thoughts about the present and future of Lebanon, discussing psychological, political, social aspects of the current crisis. Tatiana Der Avedissian will moderate the panel as they discuss how the Lebanon of a now mythical past might be transformed into a new space of social justice, safety and equality for all its citizens and residents. How can Lebanon be rebuilt so that we do not have to add “again”.
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Shahen Araboghlian, a 21-year-old Political Science/International Relations graduate of the Lebanese American University (LAU) is working towards an MA in Multimedia Journalism as a Graduate Program Scholar there. He has formerly worked for h- pem.com , the Hamazkayin Armenian cultural platform, as management assistant and SMM, freelanced with Rerooted Archives, and is an occasional contributor at the Armenian Weekly. Recently he finished a volunteering opportunity with Nor Luyce NGO of Gyumri, Armenia. His interests revolve around language, migration, as well as labour and social movements.
After his BA and Masters in Theater studies, Mike Ayvazian decided to take his inclinations towards social work with vulnerable populations a step further and studied expressive arts therapy (and social change) psychodrama and clay field therapy around Europe and the Mediterranean. A professional in the field since 2010, he also trains individuals and corporates and teaches acting and cultural subjects in schools and universities. Mike is the co-founder of “Astharté - Association de Thérapie par les Arts Expressifs”, an NGO committed to social change.
Sarine Karajerjian (MA in Environmental Policy Planning) is a Special Projects and Grants Manager, working with the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Former coordinator and founder of the AGBU Young Professionals- Lebanon, she founded the Rotaract Club of Sahel Metn in 2001 and co-managed a national tobacco-free campaign. Sarine has written articles on women refugees in Bourj Hammoud in Syria Deeply and on trauma and exile of Syrian refugee women in Lebanon.
Shoushan Keshishian recently received an M.A. in Post-war Recovery Studies from the University of York where she was an Al-Tajir Scholar, after studying Political Science/International Affairs at the Lebanese American University. She is founder of the Beirut Recovery Resource Guide, created a few days after the Beirut Explosion to respond to the needs of victims and volunteers. Currently, Shoushan is based in Armenia working as a specialist at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her interests include peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and sustainable development.
Tatiana der Avedissian, an Armenian Institute trustee, joined The Economist Group as business development manager. She previously worked for the Guardian and the Spectator. Tatiana is completing her executive education in public leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and is the London ambassador for their women's network and co-chair of the W3D (women in defence, diplomacy and development) Network. Aside from her voluntary work with the Armenian Institute, Tatiana also serves as trustee and vice-president for Alkionides UK.
