The busy month of June

Somehow it has gotten to be the end of June and I realize that I haven't posted all month! Sorry about that! Things here have been busy in my last full month in Armenia...

Earlier this month was a giant sociology conference--the 39th World Congress of the International Institute for Sociology--which had the ever-so-enlightening title "Sociology at the Crossroads." There were some really awesome things about this conference, and some really ridiculous things, and it was great for learning about corruption firsthand. I'm not going to get into speculation about who specifically was pocketing money or getting kickbacks...I'll just tell you the facts as I know them and let you draw your own conclusions.

But before I get into all that, I'd like to mention the awesome parts! Like having lunch with Immanuel Wallerstein and his wife! There were some really interesting talks too. At one of the sessions Professor Derluguian chaired, I got to hear Vadim Volkov speak! And at the session I went to on migration, I was one of three people other than the speakers who actually stayed to the end, so I got to ask my question and have actual discussion with people! And then of course on Saturday was Immanuel Wallerstein's talk which was really interesting to listen to!!

But as for the organization of the conference.....

They were expecting about 600 people to come to this conference from all over the world. The full program, with descriptions of the sessions, etc, was a gigantic pdf file that my computer did not like to scroll through. An extremely wide range of topics were scheduled to be covered...from the world economic crisis to the significance of toasting in the Caucasus to environmentalism in South Korea to a mathematical analysis of the 'Caucasian identity' (no, really!)

Now these 600 people were expected to pay their own way, pay for their own lodgings, and pay an approximately $350 participation fee (more to present). Needless to say, 600 people did not show up. Only about 150 did. But it still had the potential to be (and in some ways it was) a great event.

A number of my student-researcher friends and I wanted to attend the conference, but we were at a loss as to what we should register as. Students? So-called 'accompanying persons'? And how could we avoid paying for hotel booking assistance? We live here! We don't need a room in the Golden Tulip! Well, after asking around, (well, I asked Professor Derluguian who talked to Immanuel Wallerstein and Craig Calhoun...) it was determined that local students, ourselves included, should be let in to the conference sessions without paying. (Obviously this would not include attending the opening reception or congress dinner, but we didn't much care about that...we were in it for the academic enlightenment.)

So we come to the first day of conference sessions. My friend and I arrive at the door of the university, completely by chance, at the same time as Professor Derluguian's wife. And the security guards aren't letting any of us in. They said they wouldn't let in anyone who didn't have the proper nametag/lanyard/registration. But the registration table was inside on the second floor! After several phone calls to Professor Derluguian and some heated discussion in Armenian (thanks, Arusiak!) we were allowed to go up to the registration table. Where...we were still told that we could not be allowed in. Eventually, we ran into the person who was organizing the conference from the Armenian end, and she recognized us, and let us in....so in the end we got nametags that just said "visitor". But this did nothing to help all of the other local students who wanted to go....

In protest against this, Immanuel Wallerstein threatened to give his talk on the steps of the university if they didn't let students in....in the end, he gave a second talk on Sunday afternoon specifically for students.

So...you'd think that with the high registration fee and exclusive entrance, there would at least be some benefits, right? Like, for instance, translators? Because while most of the presentations were given in English, some were given in Russian, and not everyone could understand English, and not everyone could understand Russian. (But they probably could have gotten away with just translation into English and Russian, since everyone pretty much knew one or the other) But no...there was not a translator in sight. Even at the much much smaller conference I attended in October they had simultaneous translation--to and from three different languages! But here? No translators whatsoever...

I'm not going to even get into the whole Hyur Services (a tour company) issue....suffice it to say they were hired to serve refreshments in between sessions, to organize tours at exorbitant rates, and to book hotel rooms at even more exorbitant rates.....
(really, according to the laws of supply and demand, if you're booking hotel rooms in bulk, you would expect a discount, not a price hike!)

So yeah. There were some definite issues.

But nevertheless I did enjoy the sessions I listened to and I made some important contacts!!

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Last weekend was nothing special to report. I was attempting (unwillingly) to learn contract law.

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On Friday, I went to the university where my Armenian teacher teaches to attend the graduation for all the students there. In the beginning it was awkward because I didn't see any of the people I knew from his class (I had run into one girl as she was leaving and I was coming, but that didn't help me any!) But then later I met one of the Iranian girls whom I had talked to before, and who speaks perfect English, so I ended up hanging out with her. Of course with so many Iranians gathered there was some talk about the elections....the main conclusion seemed to be that while the protests, arrests, etc might not be successful in changing who's in power right now, at least it has taught the people not to blindly trust what their government tells them....

Also it was rumored that someone from the Iranian embassy was there to....keep an eye on this gathering of young Iranians.

But for the most part it was an apolitical event. Certificates were handed out, speeches were made (mostly in Armenian, and mostly incomprehensible to me...), and then there was a talent show. Because no event is complete without one. People sang, read poems, acted out skits...it was really quite entertaining. And then the "disco" started....but as it was really hot in there and I hadn't had lunch, I decided at that point to make my exit. But it was fun! :)

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As for yesterday's mountain climbing adventure....another post will be coming soon!