By CRRC-Armenia International Fellow Agnethe Ellingsen
On February 6, 2012, Anastasia Baskina, current International Fellow at CRRC-Armenia, held a work-in-progress presentation on her research project “Syrian Armenians in Armenia: Pathways and Barriers to Integration”. The event aroused a vivid interest and attracted most relevant stakeholders currently working on Syrian Armenian refugee issues in Armenia, such as UNHCR, Ministry of Diaspora, UNISDR, as well as representatives from Syrian-Armenian diaspora, local NGOs, students, and media outlets. The CRRC office was filled to capacity and created a positive atmosphere to discuss this essential but still mostly uncovered issue.
On February 6, 2012, Anastasia Baskina, current International Fellow at CRRC-Armenia, held a work-in-progress presentation on her research project “Syrian Armenians in Armenia: Pathways and Barriers to Integration”. The event aroused a vivid interest and attracted most relevant stakeholders currently working on Syrian Armenian refugee issues in Armenia, such as UNHCR, Ministry of Diaspora, UNISDR, as well as representatives from Syrian-Armenian diaspora, local NGOs, students, and media outlets. The CRRC office was filled to capacity and created a positive atmosphere to discuss this essential but still mostly uncovered issue.
The Armenian diaspora in Syria
before the hostilities counted to be between 60 000 and 80 000 people, some of
which fled to Armenia following the warfare. According to the official sources,
currently there are about 6,500 Syrian immigrants of Armenian descent residing
in Armenia. The main objective of Anastasia’s research was to identify major
barriers to integration of Syrian Armenians in Armenia, as well to examine
measures undertaken by the government, civil society and international
organizations to address the issue. The study incorporated policy analysis and in-depth
interviews with relevant stakeholders and Syrian Armenians, including life examples
of troubles and difficulties faced.
As the research is still in
progress, and the topic is an unexplored land so far, Anastasia strongly encouraged
the listeners to discuss and review the first findings. The audience used this
excellent opportunity to interact and exchange experience and opinions concerning
the results. Moreover, an assessment of stakeholders’ actions fired up a debate
among the audience from all sides. Furthermore, certain concerns regarding relationship
between Armenians and Syrian Armenians in Armenia, the role of the Apostolic
church, aid distribution, as well as media coverage of the situation were also covered
by the discussions.
Eventually, CRRC was proud to
conclude the event as probably for the first time the Syrian-Armenian community
members and the stakeholders had a chance to face each other in a convenient
environment to debate, interact, and exchange opinions across sore
points and the big question about what an eventual “New Syria” will bring for
the Syrian Armenian Diaspora, especially in the aftermath of the Arab spring in
the Middle East.
We are looking forward for
Anastasia’s final results and the discussions which hopefully will follow up
her upcoming publication!
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