A series of insightful and thought-provoking conversations with renowned journalists and thought leaders will delve into challenges confronting media and society today.
Friday, May 31
♦ Breaking Taboos: Stories Beyond the Text
1 p.m.: Many vital topics, from obstetric violence to premature births, palliative care to menopause, are often left out of the public discourse in Armenia. The importance of having honest conversations aimed at promoting understanding and awareness about these issues cannot be overstated. Featuring stories that challenge taboos surrounding these subjects is at the heart of journalism. Come and listen to the writers tackling these stories.
Panelists:
Ani Gevorgyan
Hranoush Dermoyan
Gayane Mkrtchyan
Lilit Avagyan
Moderator: Gohar Abrahamyan
*In Armenian with simultaneous English interpretation
↳At NCA, Sayat-Nova entrance
♦ Responsible and Ethical Reporting on Refugee Issues
2 p.m.: Ethical reporting on refugee issues is crucial, as journalists shape public perceptions and policies. By providing accurate, balanced, and compassionate coverage, journalists highlight human stories and respect refugees’ dignity, privacy, and agency, while avoiding sensationalism and harm. This approach raises awareness, challenges stereotypes, and advocates for refugees’ rights.
On Stage:
Alia Malek
Kiri Atri
Moderator: Karena Avedissian
* In English with simultaneous Armenian interpretation
↳At NCA, Small Theater
♦ Armenian Documentary Storytelling
3 p.m.: Armenian documentary filmmakers have been changing the landscape of the genre in recent years, registering successes globally. This panel, featuring young documentary filmmakers, will delve into the evolution of the genre, exploring the challenges and the transformative shifts taking place in the current post-truth and post-war environment.
Panelists:
Angela Frangyan
Garegin Papoyan
Nairi Hakhverdi
Moderator: Vigen Galstyan
*In Armenian with simultaneous English interpretation
↳At NCA, Sayat-Nova entrance
♦ Recording Memory
This panel will explore the vital role of storytelling in preserving personal narratives and collective history. Featuring representatives from StoryCorps, renowned for capturing and archiving diverse voices, the discussion will examine the power of recording memories to foster empathy, understanding and inclusivity.
4:30 p.m.:
Guests:
Patty Devery
Emily Janssen
Moderator: Andrew Lehren
*In English with simultaneous Armenian interpretation
↳At NCA, Sayat-Nova entrance
Saturday, June 1
♦ Session for Local Journalists
11 a.m.: Explore how firsthand experience gained by Armenian journalists through international exchanges and collaborations can enrich the media landscape in Armenia. Panelists, who have benefited from opportunities to learn from established news organizations abroad, will share insights and discuss the impact of experience-sharing on enhancing journalistic practices in Armenia.
Panelists:
Hranoush Dermoyan, EVN Report
Arshaluys Barseghyan, Media.am
Anush Mkrtchyan, RFE/RL
Moderator: Dr. Lawrence Pintak, WSU
*In English with simultaneous Armenian interpretation
↳At NCA, Small Theater
♦ National Security and Capacity Building
1 p.m.: In the aftermath of the 2020 Artsakh War, and particularly in light of the Azerbaijani incursion into Jermuk in 2022, it became evident that Armenia had to both rebuild its security architecture and change its thinking on security. Scholars and experts specializing in security studies and international relations will assess Armenia’s security landscape, discuss potential approaches to augment Armenia’s security capabilities and mitigate nascent threats, and provide data-driven insights on the ongoing recalibrations in Armenia’s security environment.
On Stage:
Dr. Nerses Kopalyan
Dr. Anna Ohanyan
James R. LeMay
*In English with simultaneous Armenian interpretation
↳At NCA, Sayat-Nova entrance
♦ Visualizing Realities: Creative Storytelling
4:30 p.m.: From illustrations to VR and filmmaking, there are creative ways through which to tell compelling stories. Distinguished panelists will delve into their experiences documenting civil war, forced reeducation camps, and repressions, shedding light on the innovative and sometimes unconventional approaches to storytelling.
Panelists:
Ben Mauk
Molly Crabapple
Michael Goorjian
Moderator: Andrew Lehren
*In English with simultaneous Armenian interpretation
↳At NCA, Sayat-Nova entrance
♦ VR: Civil Unrest [MIC Program]
6 p.m.: Civil Unrest is a VR simulation of a journalist’s experience covering a progressively violent protest. The training set is crafted for frontline journalists to help navigate high-stakes situations. The experience will be made available to a limited number of non-journalists for the first time during the EVN Media Festival. The aim is to start a conversation between media and their reader, bridging the gap between the journalist and the citizen through the medium of a shared experience in a safe space.
Facilitators:
Artur Papyan
Roubina Margossian
↳At NCA, Small Theater
Sunday, June 2
♦ Culture Is (a) Right [CSN Program]
11 a.m.: Experts from Armenia and Georgia will discuss the complex dynamics of culture and media as crucially important dimensions for fostering resilience and democracy. They will reflect on the current situation in both countries, analyze the transformations of cultural life, talk about the perception of cultural rights within the societies, discuss memory politics, and finally — share how cultural rights and media narratives can serve as catalysts for reconsolidation and strengthening democracy in the region amid current challenges.
Panelists:
Tigran Amiryan
Sona Karapoghosyan
Maya Mateshvili
Natia Mikeladze
Andranik Shirinyan
Moderator: Sheila Paylan
*In English with simultaneous Armenian interpretation
↳At NCA, Sayat-Nova entrance
♦ Resilience: Whole of Society
3:30 p.m.: When surrounded by aggressive neighbors, smaller democratic states evolve by integrating their social and governmental structures into a comprehensive security system, bolstering their resilience. This holistic approach, involving both state and society, strengthens their ability to withstand threats and navigate through crises. This panel, which includes representatives from the business community, IT sector, civil society and academia will look at the mechanisms through which societal structures can be mobilized and harnessed to increase resiliency both during times of peace and amid security threats.
Panelists:
Dr. Nerses Kopalyan
Raffi Kassarjian
Artur Papyan
Naira Sultanyan
Moderator: Maria Titizian
*In English with simultaneous Armenian interpretation
↳At NCA, Sayat-Nova entrance
∼ Please make sure to reserve your seat! ∼
Registration is free.
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