Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Telephone: (818) 500-1918
Facsimile: (818) 246-7353

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
June 20, 2009
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANC-WR and GenEd volunteer leads seminar at high school Peace Day event

Los Angeles, CA — On Friday, May 29th, the Armenian National
Committee-Western Region (ANC-WR) joined students at Valley Alternative
Magnet School (VAMS) for its 2009 Peace Day Program. The event, organized
by students for students, faculty, and parents covered several humanitarian
and social justice topics. Shant Hagopian, a recent graduate of UC Berkeley
and an ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern alumnus conducted a seminar about the
Armenian Genocide.

"Teaching the next generation about these often neglected parts of history
is extremely important,’ explained Shant Hagopian who has been an active
volunteer with the Genocide Education Project over the past two years. `In
the case of the Armenian Genocide, education is the most effective means of
countering genocide denial and turning a historic injustice into a catalyst
for social change.’

The one hour seminar for the 7th-11th grade students included a lively
question and answer session. The students, many of whom were already
familiar with the Armenian Genocide, discussed the dangers of genocide
denial as well as the importance of acknowledging and addressing all human
rights issues.

Hagopian noted that his work with the Armenian National Committee in the San
Francisco Bay Area while a student at UC Berkeley and with the Genocide
Education Project prepared him for the opportunity to work with the students
at VAMS.

The ANC-Western Region has worked with the VAMS Peace Day organizers over
the past few years to provide educational speakers for the event.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest Armenian
American grassroots community organization in the Western United States.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the
country, the ANC-WR works to promote understanding regarding issues of
concern to the Armenian American community.