Reshaping The Paradigm In Diaspora-Armenia Relations-ARPA Institute-Kopalyan-61320

Abstract: Defining Diaspora-Armenia relations and putting in place a mechanism which would be mutually beneficial to both the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora has been a challenge since Armenia’s independence. Dr. Nerses Kopalyan, author of the Policy Paper, “Changing the Paradigm in Armenia-Diaspora Relations: State-Centered Institutions and Transnational Governance,” addresses the multilayered factors that can enhance and develop Diaspora-Armenia relations. Proposing a paradigm shift in Armenia-Diaspora relations, Dr. Kopalyan conceptualizes three main areas: alignment of interests; state-centric institutions, and transnational governance. Noting the complexities of intra-Diaspora configurations, it is recommended that the interests of Diaspora structures, institutions, and cultural organizations become aligned with the Armenian Republic. This state-centric alignment also addresses the re-articulation of the Armenian identity within the Diaspora through the concept of constituency, where the Diasporan Armenian self-identifies and perceives one's self as a constituent of the Armenian Republic. The collective realignment of interests, the author demonstrates, allows for a more effective restructuring of Armenia-Diaspora relations, giving the Diaspora agency in influencing and affecting change in the Republic of Armenia.

Dr. Nerses Kopalyan is an assistant professor-in-residence of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His fields of specialization include international relations, geopolitics, political theory, and philosophy of science. He has conducted extensive research on polarity, superpower relations, and security studies. He is the author of World Political Systems After Polarity (Routledge, 2017) and the co-author of Sex, Power, And Politics (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016). He also authored two policy papers for the Republic of Armenia, "Transitional Justice Agenda for the Republic of Armenia" (Ministry of Justice) and "Changing the Paradigm in Armenia-Diaspora Relations (Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs). He serves as an advisor to the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs. His current research concentrates on geopolitical and great power relations with an emphasis on Eurasia. He has also done extensive work on political developments in Armenia prior and subsequent to the Velvet Revolution, articles of which are published with EVN Report.