AUA Hosts Second International ETICA Conference on Hope and Trust in Times of Crises

YEREVAN  — On June 22 and 23, the Horizon Europe ETICA project, based at the Center for Ethics in Public Affairs within the Turpanjian Institute of Social Sciences at the American University of Armenia (AUA), hosted an international conference titled “Hope and Trust in Times of Crises.” Organized in collaboration with the International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP), the Armenian Philosophical Academy, and Yerevan State University (YSU), the event brought together over 70 global scholars with diverse perspectives, ranging from Western, Eastern, and African philosophical traditions, to investigate the very possibility of trust and hope in the face of the multiple crises facing our globe.

The conference marks the second major international gathering organized by ETICA, led by European Research Area Chair, Professor Maria Baghramian, who also serves as vice president of FISP. Participants included members of the FISP Board and Steering Committee, representing national philosophical societies from around the world, making this a landmark occasion for philosophical exchange in Armenia. Additionally, the conference brought together distinguished guests from different international and national institutions, and among them included Anna Hakobyan, executive director of the MyStep Foundation.

The event commenced with opening remarks by Professor Baghramian and Professor Heisook Kim, president of FISP, who welcomed participants and emphasized the profound relevance of the conference’s themes.

In her remarks, Professor Baghramian emphasized the significance of hosting a FISP meeting in Armenia for the first time as a landmark step toward internationalizing Armenia’s contributions to philosophy. She also expressed her gratitude to the keynote speakers and international participants who traveled to Armenia to share their insights.

The opening was followed by three concurrent parallel sessions, during which researchers presented their work on a variety of topics. The first day also featured a keynote address by Dr. Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, professor at YSU and French University and member of the Armenian Academy of Philosophy, who spoke on “The Role of Education in Conflict Prevention.”

Day one concluded with an evening reception, during which AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian delivered welcoming remarks to the participants and guests. “We are honored to host scholars from some 25 different countries and intellectual traditions, including from Armenia, who have gathered to reflect on two ideas that are at once deeply philosophical and profoundly practical. We hope this conference creates a unique opportunity to share and explore new ideas, strengthen existing partnerships, and build new connections across philosophical traditions,” he remarked.

The second day continued with parallel research sessions and culminated in a closing keynote address by former President of FISP, Professor Dermot Moran of Boston College, on “Empathy and Trust in a Time of Crisis.”

The conference concluded with a dinner, providing the participants a final opportunity to interact in an informal setting.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.