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Announcing Faculty of Accredited Genocide & Human Rights Uni Program

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  • Announcing Faculty of Accredited Genocide & Human Rights Uni Program

    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: [email protected]
    www.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, www.genocidestudies.org. For further
    information, contact the International Institute for Genocide and Human
    Rights Studies (A Division of the Zoryan Institute), 416-250- 9807,
    [email protected].
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