FOCUS Madrid 2023
From July 27 to 30, a new edition of FOCUS was held, a networking experience for AGBU Young Professionals hosted by YP Madrid. 
The event brought together almost 500 young people of Armenian origin from all over the world who took advantage of those 4 days to participate in a wide variety of activities, meet and generate collaborative ideas. Sol Tabakian, Ari Adjemian, Lusine Sarafian, Andres Poladian, Madeleine Ekserciyan and Tamar Ekserciyan were the representatives of Buenos Aires.
The fundraising of this FOCUS was aimed at supporting the women of Armenia and Artsakh through the AGBU EmpowerHer program and both the activities and the conferences had the participation of members of the Central Council of AGBU Global: Ani Manoukian, Camilio Azzouz, Yegiche Manoukian and Christina Lalama, Coordinator of YP Mundial.
During the first day, an executive meeting of YP was held with the world coordinator and the coordinators of the more than 40 commissions in the world. During it, the mission and vision of AGBU and YP were discussed, and work was done on proposals and future challenges based on the general pillars of YP. Then they enjoyed Flamenco classes, to get to know the Spanish culture and the AGBU FOCUS officially began, whose theme this year is: “Armenia: from obligation to opportunity”. Together with an outstanding panel of Armenian Founders and CEOs from different sectors, made up of Aimee Keshguerian, Davit Baghdasaryan, Yeva Hyusyan and moderated by Diran Guiliguian from YP Madrid,a different approach to Armenia was explored, thinking about how to make the motherland an opportunity for the professional development of young people.
The second day was a conference, a key opportunity to exchange points of view and take advantage of ideas for the future. AGBU's global vision and its four pillars were discussed: Cultural, Educational, Humanitarian and Socioeconomic. A snapshot of the global scheme of YP was also presented, its current subsidiaries, the ones that are about to open, and workshop spaces were generated to work on collaborative ideas and new initiatives to strengthen the communities of young professionals from the diaspora and generate projects in Armenia. In addition, the finalists of the AGBU Noubar Nazarian YP innovations found (NNIF) were launched and the winner of the biennial subsidy was voted in real time among those present. They closed the day at the night club, as part of the social activities of the event.
Day number three was dedicated to FOCUS on Art, where they fused Spanish and Armenian culture, there was Armenian dance with Spanish folk music, an art exhibition, Madeleine Ekserciyan exhibited and Hayk Sukiasyan and Rubén Yessayan delighted those present with their music. To close the day, a gala dinner was held at the Aldovea Palace, where the winner of the NNIF was met.
On the last day, a farewell Brunch was held for all the Young Professionals who participated in these enriching activities. Not only do they bring new ideas and future projects for the community, but also new friends eager to work as a team.
