On November 25, the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund’s “Telethon-2021” took place. During the 24th “Telethon,” 12 million 351,000 US dollars in donations and pledges were raised.
Two days after the fundraiser, on November 27, the 30th meeting of the Board of Trustees of the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund took place. By the unanimous decision of the Board of Trustees, Haykak Arshamyan was re-elected to the position of Executive Director of the Fund for a three-year term. Let us recall that he has held the position of Director of the Fund since 2018.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” spoke with Haykak Arshamyan about his re-election, the results of this year’s fundraising, upcoming programs and other issues.
– Mr. Arshamyan, are this year’s Telethon results satisfactory? If possible, list the names of a few major donors.
– Of course, we are satisfied with the results. This year’s Telethon results exceeded the amounts raised in 2019. I do not compare with 2020, because making a comparison with that year would not be appropriate, since last year’s fundraiser was exceptional and connected especially with the war. The “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund had prepared an accountability film, which was shown on the Public Television on the very day of the fundraiser; the goal was primarily to be accountable to the donors, to the entire Armenian nation, about what enormous work the Fund had carried out during this one year and what large-scale programs it had implemented and is implementing in Armenia, Artsakh and, why not, the Diaspora.
As for your question about what major donors there were, I must say that we have not yet received the list from the USA. We have major donors, but we are not talking about millions of dollars. There are major benefactors from both the USA and Canada who have pledged from 50 to 300 thousand US dollars.
– You were re-elected as Director of the Fund a few days ago. Will you maintain the working style adopted from the beginning, or will there be revisions?
– First of all, the Fund’s charter must be amended and brought into line with today’s legislation, because that law is already old. We have been working in that direction for a long time. I think that after the recent meeting, we will start working on the charter more intensively and will amend it. The Fund’s main strategy, which we adopted in 2018, I believe is very relevant, namely the balanced development of Armenia, the Diaspora and Artsakh. Our activity in Artsakh has become more intensive; we have increased the number of our programs there almost tenfold. I am sure you are aware that the “Telethon” was held under the title “Viable Border Communities.” The Fund must focus on development programs for the border communities of our homeland. Especially Syunik, the entire eastern part of Gegharkunik, Artsakh, Tavush. In Gyumri we will carry out housing construction; we will try to build 100 apartments there by the end of next year.
– Last year, an unprecedentedly large amount of money was donated to the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund, due to the 44-day Artsakh war, but there were various criticisms. The Fund’s transparency was called into question. What do you say about this?
– From the first day of the war until the end of 2020, an amount equivalent to 182 million dollars had come into the Fund’s accounts, and later it increased again. That includes the amounts from the marathon carried out by the local body in the USA. Our accountability film fully reflects the work done; in addition, the Fund has constantly kept the public informed about its ongoing work through its Facebook page, website, and also press releases. Every month it sends an electronic report to at least 100 thousand donors. All those donors who wanted to learn about the Fund’s activities have entered our pages and become informed. All sources are open, if there is a desire to find out. And if there is a constant desire to criticize, that is another matter.
We have done everything to deliver open and transparent information; it is another thing if a person has no desire to read that information.
– In that case, what were those criticisms due to?
– I think it was about the 52 billion 700 million drams (about 107 million dollars) donated to the Republic of Armenia through the Government. There were various rumors and false publications claiming that those amounts went to bonuses, but making direct statements is one thing, finding evidence is another. Soon the Board of Trustees will issue a statement that will show the debate around the amounts donated to the Government. Everyone will learn what steps we have taken regarding the spending of those amounts.
– In your assessment, has trust in the Fund decreased or not?
– Let us go back a little. Years ago, was there trust in the Fund or not? This question presupposes that there has been the highest trust in the Fund for 20 or more years. When, by the decision of the Board of Trustees, the amounts collected during the war were donated to the Government, is that it, has distrust arisen? And what was the trust in the Fund in the summer of 2018? I would say there was no trust at all. I became convinced of this myself when I went to the Fund on October 1 and had meetings with many structures and individuals, donors, both in Armenia and the Diaspora. The Fund, thanks to the members of the Board of Trustees, also received that vote of confidence in due time.
I think it is at least not right to call into question the Fund’s activities on the basis of the doubts and statements that have appeared in the media. The Fund is a non-political structure, and its mission is humanitarian programs. It is above politics and outside politics. Of course, the trust that the Fund had gained during the war does not exist now, and that is normal, because after the war there is generally a problem of trust among all of us; it is not only about the Fund or the Government. I think we should all start trusting and loving each other again, because it is that lack of love and trust that brings, leads to such a situation.
We present the fundraisers made to the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund over the last 4 years.
At “Telethon-2017,” 12 million 505,456 US dollars were donated to the Fund:
At “Telethon-2018,” 11 million 109 thousand 633 US dollars were donated to the Fund:
At “Telethon-2019,” 10,235,847 US dollars were donated:
At “Telethon-2020,” 22 million 990 thousand 898 dollars were donated to the Fund: The 23rd nationwide fundraising-telethon of the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund bore the title “Unity, Strength, Faith.”
