President Sarkissian was present at the inauguration of the Orbeli Center: Think-tank can be successful if it maintains its independence and freedom

President Armen Sarkissian and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian participated today at the official inauguration of the Orbeli research and analytical center in Yerevan.

President Sarkissian congratulated and wished all the best to the Center and noted in particular that Orbeli center has a very interesting and promising start and a brilliant name which is compelling not only domestically but also at the international level.

Armen Sarkissian expressed readiness to share his longtime experience and connections in this area. The President said that similar, as they are called at international level, think-tanks have many features such as analytical, consultative, public opinion shaping, scientific, research, educational, and others.

“Think-tanks have deep historical roots,” President Sarkissian said. “They can be very different also in their administrative structure. They can have links to government, state, political parties, can be independent, can be linked to universities, or scientific centers, independent centers, etc.

This is not a new phenomenon since consulting has always been there, regardless of pharaohs, or Tigran the Great, but the best examples from the ancient world, are of course, the Greek think-tanks. I am speaking about philosophical schools. Those schools had enormous influence on the public of Athens and ancient Greek towns. Not only influence they had but also they were fundamental, shaping a philosophy, mentality and culture which had become the foundation of the ancient Greek state.

Speaking of the directors of the first think-tanks, I believe the list is huge, and should probably start from Aristotle, Plato, and others. Keep in mind that even Alexander the Great took classes in one of those philosophical think-tanks.

In the 21st century there is a great spectrum of think-tanks, of enormous quantity. In the United States their number exceeds 2000 working in different areas. India and China have close to 500, then come the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and others. They are ranging from state-sponsored think-tanks to universities, independent entities, and those related to non-governmental structures.

One thing is clear: All these structures become successful and influential if they adhere to certain principles, and dedication to democracy is one of them. The Greek experience is a very clear example.

The second and third principles are independent mind and freedom. Regardless of who the founder is, a think-tank can be successful if it maintains its independence and freedom.”

Speaking about Orbeli center, President Sarkissian noted that it is a very important initiative for Armenia.

The President said that the best indicator of Orbeli’s success will be not only its independence, even though created by the state, but at the same time if it becomes a catalyst for other similar centers, creating in Armenia a culture of international level which is in great demand. “Let me bring a very simple example: in international politics, along with the interstate relations, there is a so-called, state to think-tank notion. It can be diagonal, which means that the state is working not only with a state structure but also with think-tanks working in the state sector, and horizontal which means a think-tank in one country cooperates with a think-tank in other state. A good examples of it is present in today’s Armenia.”

Hailing the initiative of creating such center and wishing every success, President Armen Sarkissian invited the leadership and experts of the center to participate at the Armenian version of the renowned international conference Chamonix Summit of Minds which will take place in June in Dilijan. The conference will be held under the auspices of the President of Armenia.