The Forum Tackles New Frontiers

Everything you need to know about the 5th Edition of the Global Citizen Forum on Oct 10-12, 2019

It’s the 10th of April— which means that the 6-month countdown to the 5th edition of the Global Citizen Forum in Yerevan has officially begun. 

Although our team is fiercely proud of the work we’ve done so far, we are just as anxious for all the work and preparations that lie ahead. It isn’t a simple task to gather the world’s most prominent personalities in the same place, at the same time. But for a cause that is as significant as spearheading the dialogue for the future of human mobility and unlocking the power of migration—our focus, dedication and energy are on full-blast.  

Within the next 6 months, we want to bring you aboard on this journey with us. We want you to be part of every important step leading up to the Forum, discover Armenia with us, get to know our team members, and learn more about our partnerships and collaborations.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Global Citizen Forum so far:

THE COMMUNITY 

The Global Citizen Forum is more than just an event. It’s a movement. With a community united through the bonds of global citizenship, we are creating a network of select individuals and organizations that are ready to invest their time and resources to improve the state of migration and mobility for future generations.  

Our movement is empowered by heads of state, government representatives, international organizations and diplomatic bodies, academics, philanthropists, world famous artists and performers, extraordinary athletes, entrepreneurs, innovators and creators. Learn how you can define and fuel the wealth of our global network and community by becoming a member. 

THE THEME 

We are more inspired than ever with this year’s theme, New Frontiers. We chose technology as the focus of the 2019 Forum because of its immense transformational power in our modern world, and its capacity to solve some of the greatest challenges that humanity faces today. Within this platform, understanding the essence of migration and the tools needed to recognize freedom of movement as a core component of global citizenship, we aim to inspire, invoke, and empower lasting change for the next generations of global citizens. 

THE VENUE 

Built at the beginning of the 20th century with hypnotizing domes and arches, the grandiose Yerevan Opera Theatre will become the home of this year’s Forum. The opera building was designed by the Armenian architect Alexander Tamanian, which consists of two extravagant concert halls that have showcased world-renowned singers, instrumentalists, dancers, and artistic directors from throughout the world, including those from the Armenian diaspora. 

“It is a great honour for me to be taking the Global Citizen Forum back to the land of my forefathers,” said Armand Arton, founder of the Global Citizen Forum. “We are delighted that the President of Armenia has become the Forum’s patron and co-host. Hosting the Forum at the Opera Theatre in Yerevan will be very special, and I think everyone will truly enjoy the energy and experience of this wonderful place.”   

THE DIALOGUE 

Built on a community of global champions committed to the mission and vision of equal distribution of global citizenship, the GCF schedule will be divided within five adaptive loops, which we like to think of as building blocks of the modern-day global village.  

Global Governance: This loop will look into our ability to trigger policy changes to solve the challenges faced in global citizenship such as forced migration and displacement, climate change and equal representation. Through this loop, we discuss the ways in which governance and policy-making is evolving in order to keep up with rapid development and innovation. 

Technology: Technology is changing the way the world evolves, whether in respect to identification, policy and regulation, artificial intelligence, security measures, education, and social awareness. Through this loop, we aim at enhancing access and education of young migrants and refugees across the globe. 

Culture: The concept of borders is completely obsolete in the context of art, music and sports. The level of connectedness these spheres provide should serve as a role model for the level of mobility people should have access to. Through this loop we aim to raise the voice of global citizenship zooming into its rights but also underlining the responsibilities it carries along. 

Mobility: Within this loop we will focus on the current migration processes and the challenges, opportunities, and failures that exist within this space. Access must be a universal right for all where the power of positive governance, technologies and creativity are only a few of the tools that can help us move in that direction. 

Sustainability: Within the sustainability pillar, we focus on the deeply intimate relationship between the global challenges today and their repercussions of tomorrow. Governments, businesses and individuals, all play a fundamental role in the perception and approach of sustainable global citizenship. We all have the responsibility to adopt best practices and sustainable methods—be it through state-run projects or policies, through impact investment and profit with purpose, or through the personal choices we make daily.

THE INITIATIVES  

The Global Citizen Forum will additionally be supporting local charitable initiatives on children education and development in collaboration with Yerevan, My Love and the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) which is providing tens of thousands of children in rural Armenia access to a world-class education – from cutting-edge technologies that revolutionize learning to English language programs that promote linguistic fluency. 

With many exciting announcements coming your way, you’ll want to stay up to date with our stories in the next following months! We look forward to bringing you on this spectacular journey to GCF in Yerevan.