Born in March 19, 1960.
In 1981 she graduated from the Faculty of Biology of YSU, received a degree for biological sciences candidate in 1990, graduated from the American University of Armenia and received a master’s degree in political science and international relations in 1996, in 2000 she received a master’s degree on international development policy in Duke University, USA.
In 2000, together with stakeholders she founded “Center for Regional Development” NGO, which became the Armenian official representative of “Transparency International” international anti-corruption movement in 2001.
Died in September 30, 2010.
In our reality, there’s no lack of people, who left their priceless trace as for the formation and development of civil society, but also with their lifestyle and activities, courage and responsibility undertaken in front of the society became an example of initiating and implementing changes in the sphere of civil society, for raising the most important issues and being consistent. Amalya Kostanyan was one of such people, who with the activities she held, aimed to contribute to the creation of favorable atmosphere for the formation of political, economical and social reforms, to support the establishment of transparent and accountable governance system and to promote democratic processes, including the protection of human rights and public participation in the government of the country.
Unfortunately, today we talk about her in past form, but we remember her as a hero and a possible guide. Many people remember Amalya Kostanyan today: both friends, coworkers, civil society activists and many many other people. I’m sorry to say that I didn’t have a chance to get to know Amalya Kostanyan and her activities personally, but with the help of her friends Larisa Minasyan, Varuzhan Hoktanyan and Avetik Ishkhanyan, I managed to get acquainted with the activities that Amalya Kostanyan held, as well as with the rich herritage that she left for us today.
“Amalya was a very bright, different, interesting, energetic and happy person. She was not one of those people who would think that with a more serious face they can claim serious success. She was a much more simple, accessible, interesting and open personality. She was not afraid of expressing her opinion, because it was consistent and she always had counterarguments”, this is how Larisa Minasyan remembers Amalya Kostanyan.
And Varuzhan Hoktanyan says “Amalya was a smart, intelligent, a strong person, who could see things in a very sober way and had a good assessment approach of the situation”.
“Amalya was a unique woman, who had an extraordinary woman charm, which didn’t hinder her to be utter concerned, emotional, very active. It seemed that she was not despairing, inexhaustible public figure. Amalya always raised urgent problems of society concerning environmental protection, urban development and human rights. It was surprising, that she got involved in Political Prisoners Defense Council since 2006. Amalya had a big influence on me also, when I was tired of certain issues, she always passed me additional energy. Amalya’s death is a big loss for us: she was an important spice, a salt for us which lessened from our society,” says Avetik Ishkhanyan.
“And as a civil society activist Amalya was one of those people, who was as able to launch big activities, as well as to change the standards of activism by raising the importance of interest, volunteerism and participation in solving public problems” mentions Larisa Minasyan.
“Amalya was a very consistent person: often there are people or organizations that also raise very important, urgent problems for the society but they don’t pursue their solutions, but Amalya was steady in all cases. It was contributed by her individual characteristics as well: leadership, organizational talent, ability to unite people around her ideas” says Avetik Ishkhanyan.
According to Varuzhan Hoktanyan, “despite the fact that Amalya was involved in civic activism in various fields, however, the main part of her agenda was the fight against corruption in RA. Over the years she managed to create an ideological picture of the phenomenon in the society and its negative manifestations: both citizens and other non-governmental organizations, and authorities began to talk about corruption, to discuss the phenomenon and the actions needed to eliminate it”.
Larisa Minasyan mentions, “Another contribution by Amalya Kostanyan was that she managed to bring a new quality in dialogue and debate in our society. The other feature was that she didn’t put in front of her the issues that she could solve herself, but she defined the issues intellectually, by claiming the biggest issues and by permanently acting”.
“Amalya Kostanyan wanted to see Armenia as a country where the level of corruption would be quite low. Her life goal was to demonstrate further the need to change the state, society, citizens in a larger scale, the law should function in the society. We also strive for it”, says Varuzhan Hoktanyan.
“Her ability to unite people was surprising and at the same time praiseworthy. With her nature Amalya was not giving much compliments, in many questions she was sharp and categorical, as well as not so much compromising, but these features did not eject people from her, but united them over her values, activities, encouraged many, and she did it all with a big faith and devotion”, remembers Larisa Minasyan.
Today everybody is talking with pain and tears about the loss of Amalya Kostanyan. She passed away too soon and didn’t really see the country where she wanted to live in. And in last Avetik Ishkhanyan adds: “Why did you leave us, Amalya?”
Special thanks for the interview to:
Larisa Minasyan – Executive Director of Open Society Foundations – Armenia.
Varuzhan Hoktanyan – Executive Director of Transparency International Anti-corruption Center’s Armenian branch
Avetik Ishkhanyan – Chairman at Helsinki committee of Armenia
Nvard Margaryan
