The Most Important Thing is Not to Disappoint People: Interview with Anna Hakobyan

The activities of the "City of Smile" foundation, the smooth organization of cancer treatment for children, trips abroad, activities within the country, and responses containing both criticism and praise were discussed in an interview with Anna Hakobyan, the chairwoman of the board of the foundation and the wife of the Prime Minister of Armenia.

- Mrs. Hakobyan, as the year approaches its end, could you please tell us how the year has been for the "My Step" and "City of Smile" charitable foundations? What achievements would you highlight?

- The year has been very busy, and we have carried out numerous events in various areas. The "My Step" foundation had a turnover of 3 million 425 thousand dollars over the year. From the day of its establishment to today, the foundation has had a turnover of 5 million dollars. I consider this a major achievement for a completely new foundation. Noteworthy accomplishments include the scholarship program. This year, we worked hard to identify the professions that are important for our country and are in demand in the labor market. We had discussions with employers, set our standards, and after considerable efforts, we ultimately granted scholarships to 54 individuals to study at the best universities abroad.

Among the programs implemented, I would highlight the organization of the "Silk Note" festival through the efforts of the "My Step" foundation, which hosted world-renowned musicians, including Grammy Award winners and the Brit Award-nominated band "Jamiroquai," and famous guitarist Al Di Meola, as well as the "Parov Stelar" band. It was a significant event in Yerevan, generating a lot of positive feedback and numerous expressions of gratitude. We consider this important for cultural and tourism development.

The "Ghost" festival was also organized, which received positive responses. It went quite successfully and brought new life to the city. The festival was aimed at electronic music lovers and young people, who expressed their gratitude for the event. We plan to make these festivals an annual occurrence. In addition to these, we funded numerous cultural programs throughout the year, making it truly eventful. We continued the poverty alleviation program, and I must note that the number of benefiting families has increased. Funding for the Rehabilitation Center for Defenders of the Fatherland has also continued.

Through the activities of the "City of Smile" foundation, we covered the full treatment costs for 260 children and young individuals this year, which is our number one achievement. The support chain is comprehensive – treatment, medication, psychological services, daily meals four times a day, and medical professionals' training. We have been active in organizing events for children. These activities bring joy, foster integration, and change societal attitudes toward these children. We have reached a point where many are approaching us to propose initiatives to encourage the children. We are not alone in this mission.

We have also made progress in terms of training medical professionals and expanding international connections. The foundation is implementing a program in Armenia for the development and introduction of pediatric oncology guidelines, which involves established working groups with foreign experts. As a result of the program, we will have guidelines that will include comprehensive information from diagnosis to treatment and further care, applicable to all levels of medical personnel, as well as family members.

Recently, with our foundation's financial support, long-term central venous catheters are being placed in children with cancer at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Hospital for chemotherapy treatment. This is a more modern approach to treatment that avoids damaging the children's peripheral veins and eliminates the need for constant punctures to administer their medication. In summary, overall, I am satisfied with the work of both foundations.

- You travel often and learn about the treatment processes for children with cancer in other countries. In your opinion, what is lacking in our country, what are you striving to add, or what are your plans?

- We are working to fill the gaps. There are many issues, from attitudes to financial, technical, and infrastructural problems. For example, we do not have guesthouses to accommodate the families of these children. Wherever I have visited, medical facilities designed for children with cancer have had guesthouses. This is an essential link. Children come from different parts of the country; the families need a place to stay. It is aimed at preserving the family's integrity and providing a home-like environment. Our hospital is in very good condition, but still, it is a hospital setting, so we are striving to have a guesthouse, so the children's parents can stay. We plan to start the project for the guesthouse next year, after which we can begin fundraising specifically for that program since it will be quite expensive and a large project. Additionally, we will soon start renovating the palliative care unit for pediatric cancer. It seems that all the preparatory phases are completed, and we are currently in the contracting phase with the builder. That is, we are working in all necessary areas – training medical professionals, improving conditions, and integration. I place great importance on implementing prevention programs in future stages. We are not yet able to enter that field because there is still a lot to do at this stage. We hope that by combining our efforts with the state, we can achieve better results.

- We have many success stories in the treatment of children with cancer, but there are also cases where families facing such issues strive to take their child abroad. In your opinion, where does this distrust towards our healthcare system come from, and what can be done?

- There are many reasons for distrust, including tradition or a so-called habit. What are we doing in that direction? We are activating international connections and interacting with the best specialists in the field. Of course, our doctors had good connections even before this, but as a result of my visits, these connections have strengthened and become more institutional. Our doctors establish contact with foreign specialists in cases of particularly difficult situations. I try to reach agreements so that when treatment is not possible in Armenia, but, for example, it is in Germany, we can transfer the child there with the most affordable options. Thus, there is close cooperation, which in some cases reduces that distrust.

- Mrs. Hakobyan, you initiated the “Women for Peace” initiative in 2018. Looking back at the work done, responses, and developments, did your expectations come true?

- Coming up with such an initiative was driven by the heart and soul; it was something one must do. If you asked me now whether I would start that campaign again, I would definitely say yes; I would do it without thinking about anything else because I consider it my duty. Regarding the responses, I must say they were very varied and interesting. First, positive responses dominate in Armenia and internationally. About 95 percent of responses have been positive. I would like to particularly highlight the response from mothers who lost their sons during military actions, which was also positive. A grieving mother says she hopes another's son does not face the same fate. For me, that is the number one justification that I am on the right path. The portion of negative assessments regarding the initiative is perhaps around five percent. I would include there the responses from Azerbaijan as well as various statements made in Armenia for political reasons that often overlap one hundred percent.

- You mentioned that the initiative is not limited to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. You even talked about the events happening in Syria, intending to urge the First Lady of Turkey to call for peace in her country as well?

- Yes, I shared my thoughts at a peace-focused meeting during the "Aurora" forum. Indeed, the initiative is not limited to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; this approach is universal.

- Let's touch upon your invitation to Mehriban Aliyeva to visit Artsakh. What motivated you to make such a statement, and do you think the key messages reached the broader public?

- The motivation was the aggressive rhetoric of the First Lady of Azerbaijan concerning me. I believe the public's reactions and evaluations regarding that proposal, that invitation, again reflect the previously mentioned proportions: 95 percent positive, 5 percent negative, and those are exclusively from associates of the former ruling authorities and individuals connected to them who often either distort my words or cut them out of context to justify their negative opinions.

- Mrs. Hakobyan, over the past year, you and your family have been in the spotlight, which has been accompanied by numerous criticisms. What do you think is the main reason for this, and how do you feel about it?

- I believe that, in all cases of government, the families of all leaders are centers of great attention, and I consider this normal. I think the wives of leaders in all countries are under scrutiny; every step, every word is followed. There is criticism, but there is also much more love, appreciation, kind words, and well-wishes. This attention is a normal phenomenon. The important thing is that we can never disappoint those who love us and pray for us.

- Does this situation somehow restrain you or your family members?

- I wouldn’t say it restrains us because we live as we always have. We do not avoid being in public places—neither our children nor my husband nor I. Whenever we have time, we continue to go as a family to the places we have loved visiting and enjoyed. In other words, we do not deprive ourselves of being around people. But there are cases where, due to being in the spotlight, you reconsider this or that step, choice, perhaps regarding clothing. There was a case where details of my clothing, or rather my bag, were photographed and discussed. It was very surprising to me, and after that, I became more attentive (smiles—editor).

- Have there been criticisms or publications directed at you that have surprised you?

- There have been many that not so much surprised me as disappointed me. For example, I traveled to Geneva on a government plane, my husband bought me a car, I traveled business class, I flew from Paris to New York on the same plane as Mehriban Aliyeva, I attended a meeting of the "Civil Contract" party’s board… there are numerous such stories. And I am always curious how these stories come about, especially those published by the media. When people exchange such information in transportation or in their building’s yard, I can understand, but when it becomes news or an article, I find it hard to grasp the logical chain of actions of the editor of that media.

- Mrs. Hakobyan, you are also criticized for traveling frequently. Do you really see the necessity in that?

- If there were no necessity, I wouldn’t go anywhere because, first of all, it is difficult for me. I leave behind planned work in Armenia, household tasks, and my children. My work schedule in Armenia is so busy that travels take time and pile up planned tasks. For example, my recent regional visits… We had been planning them for months, but they didn’t happen. That’s why they were postponed until late November and early December. Believe me, if those visits were not essential, I wouldn't be traveling so frequently. Whenever I receive an invitation, I always ask the relevant agency for their opinion on whether it is worth going or not. Expectations and anticipations vary from different visits. For example, my trip to Iceland was to participate in the "Reykjavik Global Forum: Women Leaders" conference, and I suggested that the next one be held in Armenia. Authoritative and influential women from 80 countries participated. To bring the forum to Armenia, it is important to go, to get to know, to present, to discuss. Hosting such influential women in our country is very important.

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