How the Aspen Institute Kyiv Helped Launch the Aspen Movement in Armenia
Sometimes, large-scale ideas begin with small but inspired steps. This was the case with the emergence of the Aspen idea in Armenia. Vahe Melikyan, the “Values and Society” seminar alumni, initiated the first Socrates Seminar in Armenia with the support of the Aspen Institute Kyiv. His passion for the Aspen idea evolved into an aspiration that brought Armenia and Ukraine together to create a space for dialogue and exchanging ideas.
The spreading of Aspen idea among Armenian society
Vahe Melikyan participated in the “Values and Society” seminar of the Aspen Institute Kyiv in 2017. He was so impressed by the experience that he decided to establish a similar space for leaders in Armenia.
However, the idea of holding a seminar took time to emerge. The first step was to form a group of people who shared his vision. Furthermore, it was necessary to inform potential participants unfamiliar with Aspen Institute’s activities about their significance.
Together with Alina Shkliaruk, Director of Seminar Programs at Aspen Institute Kyiv, they engaged participants from Armenia in international and regional seminars held in Ukraine between 2017 and 2019. Eventually, a community of Armenian alumni emerged. This group became the driving force behind the first Socrates Seminar in Armenia.
Founded in 1996, Socrates Seminars connects a global network of over 10,000 alums from more than 45 countries. The Armenian seminar, titled “Order Amid Chaos: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Technology, Business, Culture, and Society,” focused on how digital technologies are transforming interactions and reshaping leadership, productivity, and everyday life.
The Role of the Aspen Institute Kyiv
The Aspen Institute Kyiv played an important role in launching the project. The Aspen Institute’s Kyiv team shared the methodology for organizing seminars and helped adapt programs and reading materials. In addition, it held a test event, which is described in more detail below.
Elliot Gerson, Executive Vice President of Aspen Institute (USA), was key in this process. He attended events organized by the Aspen Institute Kyiv and supported the initiative in Armenia. During the first seminar in Yerevan, he shared his impressions:
“Having been present at and inspired by Aspen Institute Kyiv since the birth of the idea of Aspen in Ukraine, it was exciting — and indeed inspiring — to be in Yerevan for this historic Seminar. Indeed, it reminded me of one of the earliest aspirations of the Aspen Institute Kyiv: to offer the Aspen Idea to other Eastern European countries in the region. And I was not surprised how contagious that idea had proven in Armenia”.
Challenges on the Path to the Seminar
The first seminar, planned for 2020, did not take place. The reasons included difficulties in recruiting participants, but primarily the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which postponed all in-person events until 2020. Additional political and military challenges, including the escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh, further delayed progress.
In 2021, the first test event — a mini-seminar and public panel discussion with Ukrainian speakers — was finally held in Yerevan. Representatives of the Aspen Institute Kyiv participated in the event, including the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Kyiv, Yuliya Tychkivska; the Director of Program Development, Denіs Poltavets; Chair of the Supervisory Board of the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Hennadiy Zubko; and the General Director of “Väderstad Ukraine,” Vitaliy Filatov. The initiative’s presentation at the Matenadaran, a museum of ancient manuscripts, was a significant milestone.
The 2024 Seminar
The seminar was scheduled in Armenia on March 2, 2022. However, due to the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the team from Kyiv, which was involved in organizing and conducting the seminar, was unable to attend.After prolonged delays, the initiative culminated in a full-fledged three-day Socrates Seminar in October 2024. Armenia collaborated with representatives from the Aspen Institute (USA), the Aspen Institute Kyiv, and the Aspen Institute France to make the seminar possible. American moderator William Powers, the Ukrainian team, and French representatives worked together to organize the event.
Elliot Gerson summarized his impressions of the event:
“As to the Aspen Socrates Seminar itself, I was incredibly impressed by the strength, experience, and diversity of the Armenians around the table and their commitment to principles of dialogue around fundamental issues and questions about how to build better societies and, in particular, a better Armenia. Armenia is an important (and as I had never been, so I can add beautiful) country, situated in a challenging neighborhood with very talented people and a singularly committed diaspora. I will be proud to see how Aspen magic expands there.”
Plans for the Future
A seminar alumni community is forming in Armenia and plans to organize regular events. Leadership seminars and engaging new participants in the community remain priorities for Armenian leaders.
The Aspen Institute Kyiv will continue to support Armenian colleagues, sharing their experiences in the seminar organization. This story exemplifies how ideas can resonate across cultures and contribute to the development of responsible leadership worldwide.
Together, we create a space for dialogue and change!
