PRESS RELEASE
ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
CONTACT: Patil Halajian
Tel: 416-250-9807
Fax: 416-512-1736
E-mail: zoryan@zoryaninstitute.org
DATE: May 4,
Announcing Faculty of Accredited Genocide & Human Rights University Program
Toronto, Canada – The International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights
Studies is pleased to announce its faculty for 2010. This year, ten leading
scholars from the fields of international law, political science, history,
sociology and psychology will teach an intensive two-week seminar on the
challenging and critical phenomenon of genocide. This wide variety of
specializations ensures students will learn about genocide and the gross
violation of human rights through a unique interdisciplinary, as well as,
comparative approach.
Returning as faculty this year will be: Joyce A. Apsel, Master Teacher, New
York University; Doris Bergen, Chancellor Rose and Ray Wolfe Chair in
Holocaust Studies, Department of History at the University of Toronto;
Maureen S. Hiebert, Assistant Professor, Law and Society Program, University
of Calgary; Herbert Hirsch, Prof. of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia
Commonwealth University and co-editor of Genocide Studies and Prevention: An
International Journal; William A. Schabas, Director, Irish Human Rights
Centre, National University of Ireland; Roger W. Smith, Prof. Emeritus of
Government, College of William and Mary; Samuel Totten, Professor of
Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Arkansas and co-editor of
Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal; and Major Brent
Beardsley, Chief Instructor of the Canadian Forces Peacekeeping Training
Center. In 1993 and 1994, Major Beardsley served as the Personal Staff
Officer to then Major-General Romeo Dallaire, the Force Commander of the
United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda, and was an eye-witness to the
genocide there.
The Institute is also pleased to welcome back previous faculty member Simon
Payaslian, who holds the Charles K. and Elisabeth M. Kenosian Chair in
Modern Armenian History and Literature at Boston University. In explaining
his commitment to teaching the history of the Armenian case, Prof. Payaslian
wrote, "As the prototype of modern genocides, studying the Armenian case
through a comparative approach becomes a valuable learning tool for students
to better understand other occurrences of genocide, their similarities and
differences.’
Joining the faculty for the first time will be Pamela Steiner, who holds an
MA in Government from Harvard University, an MEd in Counseling and
Consulting Psychology, as well as an EdD in Developmental Psychology, both
from the Graduate School of Education, Harvard University. Dr. Steiner
practices as a psychotherapist and specializes in working with individuals
who have a trauma history. For twelve years she was a Clinical Instructor in
Psychology at Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Steiner was a
co-founder of the Program on International Conflict Analysis and Resolution
at Harvard’s Weatherhead Center of International Affairs (1995-2003). She
has experience in conflict resolution and reconciliation efforts with
different groups, including Israelis and Palestinians, Armenians and Turks,
and Germans and Jews. Currently she is a Senior Fellow with the Harvard
Humanitarian’s Initiative, where she directs the Inter-Communal Violence and
Reconciliation Project. The project’s primary purpose has been to contribute
to an improvement in the relationship between Turkish and Armenian
communities.
Upon being invited to the program this year, Dr. Steiner wrote, `My primary
role in my work is as a facilitator of dialogue. As such, I do not make
known my beliefs, convictions, or point of view on issues that are fraught
between the communities with whom I facilitate. Rather, I acknowledge
realities undisputed between parties and certainly speak of issues of mutual
concern, such as the effects of past trauma in today’s relationship, of
those effects on historical cycles of violence and revenge, and to
approaches and methods for inter-communal healing. I am looking forward to
presenting these ideas and my experience at the Zoryan program.’
`It is an honor for me to be working with these instructors, who bring their
own special subject expertise and steadfast dedication to education and
raising awareness to make this course such a unique and wonderful experience
for all,’ said Prof. Roger W. Smith, Director of the Genocide and Human
Rights University Program. `One of the elements that makes this program
different is not only the level of interaction between the students and the
faculty, but also the interaction between faculty members in certain of the
sessions,’ he added. `Moreover,’ he continued, `faculty members make
themselves available outside of class and especially like to maintain
communication with students even after they have graduated and are well into
establishing their own careers.’
The program, accredited by the University of Toronto, which takes place in
Toronto from August 2 to August 13, 2010, will appeal to a wide variety of
students interested in various cases of genocide, their comparative study,
as well as broader issues of human rights. Applicants must be current
university students with three years or more of successful undergraduate
experience. Limited scholarships are available for qualified students. The
deadline for application is May 31, 2010. International students are
strongly urged to apply as soon as possible to avoid delays obtaining a
visa.
The syllabus, registration information, faculty biographies, and more are
available on the program’s web site, For further
information, contact the International Institute for Genocide and Human
Rights Studies (A Division of the Zoryan Institute), 416-250- 9807,
admin@genocidestudies.org.