PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel.: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian
PANEL DISCUSSION ON GENOCIDE EDUCATION TO FEATURE RICHARD HOVANNISIAN
A panel discussion on “Armenian Genocide Education: Reaching Into the
School Curriculum” will take place on Friday, September 30, at 7:30 p.m.
at Belmont High School auditorium on Concord Avenue, Belmont, MA. The
event will be co-sponsored by The National Association for Armenian
Studies and Research, Facing History and Ourselves, and the Armenian
Assembly of America.
Scheduled to take part in the panel are renowned scholar Dr. Richard G.
Hovannisian of the University of California, Los Angeles; Adam Strom,
Director of Research and Development, Facing History and Ourselves;
Margot Stern Strom, Executive Director, Facing History and Ourselves;
and Dr. Henry Theriault, Associate Professor of Philosophy and
Coordinator for the Center on Human Rights at Worcester State College
New Textbook from Facing History and Ourselves
Although there has been tremendous progress in Armenian Genocide studies
over the past several decades, the level of knowledge of even the basic
facts of the catastrophe are still not well known outside of the
Armenian community and some academic circles. A major step toward
expanding awareness of the Genocide is the publication by
Brookline-based Facing History and Ourselves of the textbook Crimes
Against Humanity and Civilization: The Genocide of the Armenians. Since
its publication, scholars of the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, and
Human Rights as well as middle and high school educators have
enthusiastically received the book.
Vital Issues to Be Addressed
The panel discussion on September 30 will serve as the introduction of
the text to the Boston-area Armenian community and provide a forum to
consider vital issues involved in getting the Armenian Genocide taught
in public schools in Massachusetts and around the nation. What are the
best strategies for introducing the Genocide to non-Armenian students
who have no knowledge of the basic facts? What are the long-term
effects of genocide education in terms of genocide prevention? These
and many other issues will be addressed by the distinguished panelists.
Richard Hovannisian explains that “this resource book is unique in its
approaches to the legacy of the Armenian Genocide. It helps students
and teachers to understand that the crime was committed not only against
the Armenians but also against all humanity.”
Margot Stern Strom writes in the Introduction to Crimes Against Humanity
and Civilization: “Soon after the founding of [Facing History and
Ourselves] in 1976, Manoog Young of the National Association for
Armenian Studies and Research approached us with the idea of creating a
study guide on the Armenian Genocide as a companion to Facing History
and Our-selves: Holocaust and Human Behavior. He and others in the
Armenian community were eager to tell the story of what was then a
“forgotten genocide.” [This] marked the beginning of our work with the
history of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.”
Following the panel discussion there will be an opportunity for the
audience to engage in a question-and-answer period with the
participants, and refreshments will be provided in a reception at the
NAASR Center nearby at 395 Concord Ave. in Belmont.
Admission to the event is free (donations accepted). Ample parking is
available at the Belmont High School building and in adjacent areas on
Concord Ave.
More information about the panel is available by calling 617-489-1610,
faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing [email protected], or writing to NAASR, 395
Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.
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Belmont, Mass.
September 9, 2005