Goriz Leadership Development

Goriz is a signature AGBU leadership development program based in Europe that identifies driven professionals of Armenian descent and helps them optimize their leadership and communications skills among their international peers.

Modeled after the best practices of world-class leadership training methods, Goriz offers each annual cohort masterclasses with world-renowned speakers, in addition to workshops, peer-to-peer exchanges, and networking opportunities. After these intensive trainings, alumni are encouraged to apply their learning to projects in the Republic of Armenia.

The GORIZ Network and Impact

As global Armenians, Goriz alumni have the opportunity to apply their real-world experience to initiatives designed to boost the socio-economic development of the Republic of Armenia. In other instances, they can serve as ambassadors to raise awareness in their own countries of urgent issues and causes taking place in the homeland.

One example is YERIA (Youth of Europe for the Recognition of Artsakh), a new initiative established during the 2020 Artsakh War. A delegation of Goriz alumni, along with journalists and public figures, traveled to Armenia and Artsakh to observe humanitarian and political realities on the ground and report their observations and findings to their local governments and media.

What to Expect

Each cohort meets for a mandatory 2-day gathering in a given year in a different location in Europe and Armenia.

Sessions include an array of activities:

• Keynote speech on Meaningful Leadership
• Keynote speech on Leading with Virtues
• Assessment of personalized strength finder
• Group and individual exercises to help overcome fears and build confident mindsets, recognize inherent strengths and identify what triggers can undermine them; and learn how to pause in moments of conflict.

Through Goriz, participants gain meaning in their leadership style, uncover inherent strengths and develop strategies to actively using them toward a common cause.

Past Lecturers and Advisors

Goriz participants gain insights from diverse thought leaders representing an array of professional backgrounds, but with one common goal: to drive the prosperity of the Armenian nation.