Armenian Assembly participates in UCSD Holocaust Living WorkshopMay 4, 2010 - 11:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) participated in the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Holocaust Living History Workshop symposium "From Racism to Genocide: Towards a Hate-Free Campus" last month as part of its efforts to raise awareness about the importance of genocide prevention and the dangers of denial. Hosted jointly by the UCSD International Affairs Group and the Hillel Center, the event explored examples of racism in the 20th century that led to mass murder and genocide. It marked the first in a series of seminars held on campus to encourage greater sensitivity and awareness among the student body on issues relating to everyday cases of racism and genocide. Moderated by Marina Triner, Program Coordinator for the UCSD Holocaust Living Workshop, the symposium featured the Assembly's Western Region Director Yeghig Keshishian, who focused on the Armenian Genocide, and examined discriminatory laws and regulations in the Ottoman Empire that fostered intolerance and legitimized racially motivated actions based on certain long-held stereotypes. "The experience of the Armenian Genocide is paramount to any discussion of genocide, intolerance, and hatred. It is a tragic story, because of its present denial by the modern Republic of Turkey, the successor state of the Ottoman Empire responsible for the genocide," stated Triner. "Including the story of the Armenians in the present discussion of racism on the UCSD campus was so important to me, because the Ottoman Turks relied on the use of certain stereotypes to fuel their genocidal campaign, and because denial is still occurring, even in the U.S." The program closed with a moving and personal account by Holocaust survivor Agatha Ehrenfried who explained how hatred creates major disruptions in society which, in turn, are used to legitimize acts of violence and the devaluation of human life. Program Coordinator Triner also touched on the problem of denial and why it is important to confront it. "Denial is always the easy way out for those whose lives have not been touched by tragedy, but it is acknowledgment, both for the Armenian case and for our own, that could bring about change and a healing of the soul for all who have ever been impacted by acts of hatred. I am thankful that the Armenian experience will be shared on our campus and hopeful that it will teach us to speak the truth and to recognize our own biases, large and small, in our everyday lives," stated Triner. The Armenian Genocide The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Moody's upgrades IDBank's rating Moody's has upgraded ID Bank CJSC's (IDBank) long-term local and foreign currency bank deposit ratings to Ba3 from B1. U.S. “very clear” with Azerbaijan: “It’s time to make peace with Armenia” James O'Brien has said that the United States is “very clear” with Azerbaijani that it is a time to make peace with Armenia. Destruction of Armenian heritage raised at PACE Member of the Armenian delegation to PACE, MP from the “I Have the Honor” bloc Hayk Mamijanyan delivered remarks at a PACE session. PACE adopts resolution on Armenia's commitment to reforms PACE welcomed the electoral reforms implemented by Armenia in accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission. |