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INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR GENOCIDE AND HUMAN RIGHTS STUDIES
(A Division of the Zoryan Institute)
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]
www.genocidestudies.org
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: George Shirinian
DATE: April 15, 2005
Tel: 416-250-9807
Genocide Awareness Ad To Appear in US News & World Report
Cambridge, MA - April is the month for commemoration of the genocides of the
Armenians, Jews, and Rwandans. In pursuit of awareness of human rights and
the prevention of genocide, the International Institute for Genocide and
Human Rights Studies (A Division of the Zoryan Institute) (the IIGHRS) has
prepared a full-page ad in the April 25 issue of US News & World Report.
This weekly, one of the most influential national news magazines, with a
readership in the millions, will be on newsstands on April 18.
A descendant of survivors of the Armenian Genocide, who wishes to remain
anonymous, has made the ad possible "in memory of millions of voices
silenced by genocide." This was done with a special gift on the occasion of
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
He explained, "In 2003, I lost both of my mother's parents - in their late
90's - two of only a few remaining survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
Their stories of what they experienced and their journey haunted me for many
years. I promised them that I would not forget those stories. As the idea
of this commemorative ad came forward in my mind, I had difficulty - mainly
due to the healing of the personal trauma of their stories - in determining
the best way to communicate this message. I also wanted to make absolutely
certain that every fact in the ad is credible and can be substantiated. That
is why I was drawn to the IIGHRS (A Division of the Zoryan Institute) for
help."
The IIGHRS, which deals with genocide and human rights studies, saw an
opportunity to satisfy the sponsor's interest in having his personal message
expressed in a manner that also promotes awareness of all genocides, the
enormity of their destructiveness, the universality of his trauma, and the
need for the prevention of genocide.
The ad's headline paraphrases a famous quote from Edmund Burke, "All it
takes for evil to win is for good people to do nothing." The center of the
page depicts a compelling photograph of a survivor of the Armenian Genocide,
taken by Ara Oshagan and Levon Parian. The ad then refers to several cases
of genocide and the fact that genocide continues to occur. The phrase "Déjà
vu?" links all those with the genocide that is taking place right now in
Darfur, Sudan.
"I am very moved by the message of this advertisement," declared Lora
Otajian, one of the graduates of the Genocide and Human Rights University
Program, and a Research Assistant at the Institute. "In the eyes of the
survivor's photograph, I recognize the pain of so many survivors of other
genocides. It makes me realize, as the descendant of survivors of genocide,
that my pain is shared by others."
"I encourage all those concerned about the universal issues of genocide and
human rights to buy one or more copies, for yourself, for family members,
for friends," declared Amanda Duncombe, Coordinator of the Genocide and
Human Rights University Program, "as we are told that if sales are brisk
enough, the issue will even be reprinted. This will show publishers that
there is a large and eager audience interested in learning more about the
Armenian experience and ultimately how to prevent genocide."
The ad concludes with the invitation, "Learn how you can make a difference,"
and directs readers to a specially created web site,
www.genocidestudies.info, which elaborates on this message and contains
information and additional sources of information on genocide.
The Zoryan Institute is the first non-profit, international center devoted
to the research and documentation of contemporary issues related to Armenian
social, political and cultural life. To this end, the Institute conducts
multidisciplinary research, publication, and educational programs dealing
with Armenia, the Armenian Genocide, and Diaspora, within a universal
context.
(A Division of the Zoryan Institute)
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]
www.genocidestudies.org
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: George Shirinian
DATE: April 15, 2005
Tel: 416-250-9807
Genocide Awareness Ad To Appear in US News & World Report
Cambridge, MA - April is the month for commemoration of the genocides of the
Armenians, Jews, and Rwandans. In pursuit of awareness of human rights and
the prevention of genocide, the International Institute for Genocide and
Human Rights Studies (A Division of the Zoryan Institute) (the IIGHRS) has
prepared a full-page ad in the April 25 issue of US News & World Report.
This weekly, one of the most influential national news magazines, with a
readership in the millions, will be on newsstands on April 18.
A descendant of survivors of the Armenian Genocide, who wishes to remain
anonymous, has made the ad possible "in memory of millions of voices
silenced by genocide." This was done with a special gift on the occasion of
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
He explained, "In 2003, I lost both of my mother's parents - in their late
90's - two of only a few remaining survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
Their stories of what they experienced and their journey haunted me for many
years. I promised them that I would not forget those stories. As the idea
of this commemorative ad came forward in my mind, I had difficulty - mainly
due to the healing of the personal trauma of their stories - in determining
the best way to communicate this message. I also wanted to make absolutely
certain that every fact in the ad is credible and can be substantiated. That
is why I was drawn to the IIGHRS (A Division of the Zoryan Institute) for
help."
The IIGHRS, which deals with genocide and human rights studies, saw an
opportunity to satisfy the sponsor's interest in having his personal message
expressed in a manner that also promotes awareness of all genocides, the
enormity of their destructiveness, the universality of his trauma, and the
need for the prevention of genocide.
The ad's headline paraphrases a famous quote from Edmund Burke, "All it
takes for evil to win is for good people to do nothing." The center of the
page depicts a compelling photograph of a survivor of the Armenian Genocide,
taken by Ara Oshagan and Levon Parian. The ad then refers to several cases
of genocide and the fact that genocide continues to occur. The phrase "Déjà
vu?" links all those with the genocide that is taking place right now in
Darfur, Sudan.
"I am very moved by the message of this advertisement," declared Lora
Otajian, one of the graduates of the Genocide and Human Rights University
Program, and a Research Assistant at the Institute. "In the eyes of the
survivor's photograph, I recognize the pain of so many survivors of other
genocides. It makes me realize, as the descendant of survivors of genocide,
that my pain is shared by others."
"I encourage all those concerned about the universal issues of genocide and
human rights to buy one or more copies, for yourself, for family members,
for friends," declared Amanda Duncombe, Coordinator of the Genocide and
Human Rights University Program, "as we are told that if sales are brisk
enough, the issue will even be reprinted. This will show publishers that
there is a large and eager audience interested in learning more about the
Armenian experience and ultimately how to prevent genocide."
The ad concludes with the invitation, "Learn how you can make a difference,"
and directs readers to a specially created web site,
www.genocidestudies.info, which elaborates on this message and contains
information and additional sources of information on genocide.
The Zoryan Institute is the first non-profit, international center devoted
to the research and documentation of contemporary issues related to Armenian
social, political and cultural life. To this end, the Institute conducts
multidisciplinary research, publication, and educational programs dealing
with Armenia, the Armenian Genocide, and Diaspora, within a universal
context.