ANCA EASTERN REGION DIRECTOR CONTINUES TO "EDUCATE, MOTIVATE, AND ACTIVATE" STUDENTS

DeFacto Agency
May 15 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 15.05.08. DE FACTO. In continuation with the New Jersey State
mandate on genocide education, Armenian National Committee of America,
Eastern Region (ANCA-ER) Executive Director Karine Birazian presented
a series of lectures to The Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest,
New Jersey and Chatham High School in Chatham, New Jersey on the
topic of genocide.

"It is always a true honor to be invited to speak at local high
schools. The impact we can make by educating students on this important
human rights issue is vital to the prevention of the crime genocide,"
commented Birazian.

In mid April, the Academy of Holy Angels invited Birazian to be a
part of their annual Awareness Day, where this year, the title of
the one-day workshop for students was called "Think Globally, Act
Locally." Students were able to select from a variety of workshops
pertaining to global issues and problems our society faces and ways
to take action. Birazian’s topic entitled "Never Again?" touched
upon genocides that have occurred throughout the 20th century and
the ongoing genocide today in Darfur. Students also gained insight
on how they can get involved and take action.

Jennifer Cucchisi, a social studies teacher at the school commented:
"It is important that every generation learns about genocide in order
to achieve the goal of "never again." Some students may not want to
hear about it, they may turn their heads at the pictures, but the only
way to stop genocides from happening is to make sure that everyone is
educated on the horrors of them. The pictures and stories, however
graphic they may be, are necessary and they help us to ensure that
what happened during these senseless slaughters is never forgotten."

On May 7, 2008, Birazian also spoke to the students at Chatham
High School at their annual Holocaust Remembrance Program where she
presented on the history of the Armenian Genocide and the current
battle in Congress on trying to pass legislation recognizing this
atrocity.