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PRESS RELEASE
ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807
Fax: 416-512-1736
E-mail: [email protected]
www.zoryaninstitute.org
CONTACT: Deborah Hay
June 6, 2013
Zoryan Institute Receives President of the Republic of Armenia Prize
Yerevan, May 29, 2013-The Zoryan Institute has received the President's
Prize for 2012 for significant contribution to the cause of recognition of
the Armenian Genocide. The awards were handed out by President Serzh
Sargsyan and Albert Boghossian, one of the founders of the Boghossian
Foundation which sponsors the annual Prize. Describing the Zoryan Institute
as one of the "key institutions" in the Diaspora, President Sargsyan
declared, "The Armenian Diaspora's crystallized spirit was reflected in the
activities of the Zoryan Institute, allowing our people not only to survive
the disaster, but also to reaffirm their determination to live on."
The official citation recognizes Zoryan for "research on the Armenian
Genocide, publishing activities, and notable contribution to the preparation
of young scholars." A second award was given to scholar and human rights
activist Dr. Tessa Hoffman, cited as an, "outstanding German expert in
Armenian studies and genocides."
The acceptance speech of Mr. K.M. Greg Sarkissian, president and one of the
founders of the Zoryan Institute, acknowledged that the Institute's
achievements, honours, and awards are the result of the hard work of
hundreds of Armenian and non-Armenian individuals.
In describing the goals and objectives of the Institute, Mr. Sarkissian
emphasized Zoryan's "belief that the strongest defense of the causes of
universal human rights and the prevention of genocide is constant
education."
With this concept in mind, Mr. Sarkissian stressed that, "through the
education of the Turkish people with irrefutable information, we will be
able to win their hearts and minds and eventually help achieve
reconciliation and coexistence between our two peoples in peace and
security."
Towards this end Zoryan has sponsored fifteen Armenian and fifteen Turkish
students, respectively, to attend the Institute's annual Genocide and Human
Rights University Program, held in partnership with the University of
Toronto.
Some of those students have gone on to earn their PhD's, teach, and write
books and articles that add to the Institute's effort in establishing a
factual history in this area, so crucial to the mutual understanding and
dialogue between Turks and Armenians.
The full text of the speech in English and in the original Armenian is
reproduced below.
The Zoryan Institute and its subsidiary, the International Institute for
Genocide and Human Rights Studies, is the first non-profit, international
center devoted to the research and documentation of contemporary issues with
a focus on Genocide, Diaspora and Armenia. For more information please
contact the Zoryan Institute by email [email protected] or
telephone 416-250-9807.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. President, Distinguished Guests, Dear Compatriots:
It is with deep appreciation and humility that I accept this award. I must
say that, while the concept of the Institute was the vision of a few,
thirty-one years of achievements, honours and awards are the result of the
hard work of hundreds of Armenian and non-Armenian individuals-directors,
scholars, faculty, staff, volunteers, students and supporters around the
world. This award is an acknowledgment of their accomplishments. This work
includes producing over forty books in nine languages, two international
academic journals, 135 Open University seminars, over twenty major
conferences, collecting priceless archival documentation, plus some 3,000
hours of oral history testimonies on video of Genocide survivors. But there
is more to Zoryan than preserving and documenting our contemporary history.
History can be an obstacle to peace between neighbours and regional
security. True peace for neighbouring nations may be had only when they can
talk openly about their common past and the unresolved issues that exist
between them today. To be able to talk meaningfully with one another, they
must have a common understanding of their history, based on a foundation of
mutually agreed facts as to what actually happened. With this in hand,
neighbours can then begin to understand each other's point of view, which
can lead to acceptance, dialogue and eventually reconciliation, instead of
suspicion and anger. Turkey and Armenia, as neighbouring states, are not
exceptions to this rule. Having this in mind, Zoryan has worked continuously
and systematically since 1982 to unearth, analyze, and interpret historical
facts about our recent history, particularly the events surrounding the
Genocide. In doing so, Zoryan has been able to bring out the shared history
of the Turkish and Armenian people. Zoryan, as an independent voice,
interprets and translates research into a language and form that is
understandable, reliable, and accessible, acting as a bridge between
academia and civil society in both Turkey and Armenia. This includes
intellectuals, opinion- and policy-makers. It is Zoryan's belief that,
through the education of the Turkish people with irrefutable information, we
will be able to win their hearts and minds and eventually help achieve
reconciliation and coexistence between our two peoples in peace and
security.
Our work using this approach has made some significant inroads. One
noteworthy example is provided by the late Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali
Birand. Describing a recent Zoryan publication in an article titled, "We Are
Surrendering to Genocide," he wrote, ".if you read the book and look at the
documents, if you are a person who is introduced to the subject through this
book, then there is no way that you would not believe in the genocide and
justify the Armenians." The more such publications are made available to
Turkish society, the more it will be empowered with the knowledge to
question the state-imposed denial, and the greater opportunity there will be
for mutual understanding and dialogue. Who could have imagined just ten
years ago that today, in major cities in Turkey, the Armenian Genocide would
be commemorated?
This work is complex and involves significant financial and human resources,
requiring trained specialists and committed scholars of multiple disciplines
to undertake years of research and analysis.
So, another area in which Zoryan has been working strategically is the
investment in the future of our youth, especially here in Armenia. For
example, fifteen students from Armenia have attended the Institute's annual
Genocide and Human Rights University Program at the University of Toronto
over the years. Last year alone, we sponsored five students from Armenia.
Three of them currently work at the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute, two
at the Foreign Ministry, and one at the Armenian Mission to the United
Nations in Geneva. Just as importantly, many of the fifteen Turkish students
the Institute sponsored who also have graduated from the Zoryan university
program have gone on to earn their PhD's, teach and write books and articles
that add to the Institute's effort in creating the shared common body of
history in this area, so crucial to mutual understanding between Turks and
Armenians.
We believe that there is a great future for this type of work in Armenia. It
is our heartfelt wish to see more institutions like Zoryan flourish in
Armenia, championed by the coming generation. With a sense of shared
responsibility and shared benefits for our people everywhere, the Zoryan
Institute is ready, willing and able to share its vision, its hopes, and its
strategies here in Armenia.
We at the Zoryan Institute strongly believe in the strategic value of
genocide research and scholarship as a means of helping to remove the
obstacles to peace today. A shared view of history can be a catalyst to
peace and reconciliation in the region. A secure future depends on the
mutual knowledge of our shared history with our neighbours, and the
awareness of this history by the thinkers, the opinion-makers, and the
leaders of both societies.
Our strategy of learning about history strives not only to bring Armenians
and Turks to reconciliation, but also, through sharpened awareness, to be
instrumental in preventing such crimes from happening again, to any people
anywhere in the world. It is the Zoryan Institute's firm belief that the
strongest defense of the causes of universal human rights and the prevention
of genocide is constant education.
END
ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807
Fax: 416-512-1736
E-mail: [email protected]
www.zoryaninstitute.org
CONTACT: Deborah Hay
June 6, 2013
Zoryan Institute Receives President of the Republic of Armenia Prize
Yerevan, May 29, 2013-The Zoryan Institute has received the President's
Prize for 2012 for significant contribution to the cause of recognition of
the Armenian Genocide. The awards were handed out by President Serzh
Sargsyan and Albert Boghossian, one of the founders of the Boghossian
Foundation which sponsors the annual Prize. Describing the Zoryan Institute
as one of the "key institutions" in the Diaspora, President Sargsyan
declared, "The Armenian Diaspora's crystallized spirit was reflected in the
activities of the Zoryan Institute, allowing our people not only to survive
the disaster, but also to reaffirm their determination to live on."
The official citation recognizes Zoryan for "research on the Armenian
Genocide, publishing activities, and notable contribution to the preparation
of young scholars." A second award was given to scholar and human rights
activist Dr. Tessa Hoffman, cited as an, "outstanding German expert in
Armenian studies and genocides."
The acceptance speech of Mr. K.M. Greg Sarkissian, president and one of the
founders of the Zoryan Institute, acknowledged that the Institute's
achievements, honours, and awards are the result of the hard work of
hundreds of Armenian and non-Armenian individuals.
In describing the goals and objectives of the Institute, Mr. Sarkissian
emphasized Zoryan's "belief that the strongest defense of the causes of
universal human rights and the prevention of genocide is constant
education."
With this concept in mind, Mr. Sarkissian stressed that, "through the
education of the Turkish people with irrefutable information, we will be
able to win their hearts and minds and eventually help achieve
reconciliation and coexistence between our two peoples in peace and
security."
Towards this end Zoryan has sponsored fifteen Armenian and fifteen Turkish
students, respectively, to attend the Institute's annual Genocide and Human
Rights University Program, held in partnership with the University of
Toronto.
Some of those students have gone on to earn their PhD's, teach, and write
books and articles that add to the Institute's effort in establishing a
factual history in this area, so crucial to the mutual understanding and
dialogue between Turks and Armenians.
The full text of the speech in English and in the original Armenian is
reproduced below.
The Zoryan Institute and its subsidiary, the International Institute for
Genocide and Human Rights Studies, is the first non-profit, international
center devoted to the research and documentation of contemporary issues with
a focus on Genocide, Diaspora and Armenia. For more information please
contact the Zoryan Institute by email [email protected] or
telephone 416-250-9807.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. President, Distinguished Guests, Dear Compatriots:
It is with deep appreciation and humility that I accept this award. I must
say that, while the concept of the Institute was the vision of a few,
thirty-one years of achievements, honours and awards are the result of the
hard work of hundreds of Armenian and non-Armenian individuals-directors,
scholars, faculty, staff, volunteers, students and supporters around the
world. This award is an acknowledgment of their accomplishments. This work
includes producing over forty books in nine languages, two international
academic journals, 135 Open University seminars, over twenty major
conferences, collecting priceless archival documentation, plus some 3,000
hours of oral history testimonies on video of Genocide survivors. But there
is more to Zoryan than preserving and documenting our contemporary history.
History can be an obstacle to peace between neighbours and regional
security. True peace for neighbouring nations may be had only when they can
talk openly about their common past and the unresolved issues that exist
between them today. To be able to talk meaningfully with one another, they
must have a common understanding of their history, based on a foundation of
mutually agreed facts as to what actually happened. With this in hand,
neighbours can then begin to understand each other's point of view, which
can lead to acceptance, dialogue and eventually reconciliation, instead of
suspicion and anger. Turkey and Armenia, as neighbouring states, are not
exceptions to this rule. Having this in mind, Zoryan has worked continuously
and systematically since 1982 to unearth, analyze, and interpret historical
facts about our recent history, particularly the events surrounding the
Genocide. In doing so, Zoryan has been able to bring out the shared history
of the Turkish and Armenian people. Zoryan, as an independent voice,
interprets and translates research into a language and form that is
understandable, reliable, and accessible, acting as a bridge between
academia and civil society in both Turkey and Armenia. This includes
intellectuals, opinion- and policy-makers. It is Zoryan's belief that,
through the education of the Turkish people with irrefutable information, we
will be able to win their hearts and minds and eventually help achieve
reconciliation and coexistence between our two peoples in peace and
security.
Our work using this approach has made some significant inroads. One
noteworthy example is provided by the late Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali
Birand. Describing a recent Zoryan publication in an article titled, "We Are
Surrendering to Genocide," he wrote, ".if you read the book and look at the
documents, if you are a person who is introduced to the subject through this
book, then there is no way that you would not believe in the genocide and
justify the Armenians." The more such publications are made available to
Turkish society, the more it will be empowered with the knowledge to
question the state-imposed denial, and the greater opportunity there will be
for mutual understanding and dialogue. Who could have imagined just ten
years ago that today, in major cities in Turkey, the Armenian Genocide would
be commemorated?
This work is complex and involves significant financial and human resources,
requiring trained specialists and committed scholars of multiple disciplines
to undertake years of research and analysis.
So, another area in which Zoryan has been working strategically is the
investment in the future of our youth, especially here in Armenia. For
example, fifteen students from Armenia have attended the Institute's annual
Genocide and Human Rights University Program at the University of Toronto
over the years. Last year alone, we sponsored five students from Armenia.
Three of them currently work at the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute, two
at the Foreign Ministry, and one at the Armenian Mission to the United
Nations in Geneva. Just as importantly, many of the fifteen Turkish students
the Institute sponsored who also have graduated from the Zoryan university
program have gone on to earn their PhD's, teach and write books and articles
that add to the Institute's effort in creating the shared common body of
history in this area, so crucial to mutual understanding between Turks and
Armenians.
We believe that there is a great future for this type of work in Armenia. It
is our heartfelt wish to see more institutions like Zoryan flourish in
Armenia, championed by the coming generation. With a sense of shared
responsibility and shared benefits for our people everywhere, the Zoryan
Institute is ready, willing and able to share its vision, its hopes, and its
strategies here in Armenia.
We at the Zoryan Institute strongly believe in the strategic value of
genocide research and scholarship as a means of helping to remove the
obstacles to peace today. A shared view of history can be a catalyst to
peace and reconciliation in the region. A secure future depends on the
mutual knowledge of our shared history with our neighbours, and the
awareness of this history by the thinkers, the opinion-makers, and the
leaders of both societies.
Our strategy of learning about history strives not only to bring Armenians
and Turks to reconciliation, but also, through sharpened awareness, to be
instrumental in preventing such crimes from happening again, to any people
anywhere in the world. It is the Zoryan Institute's firm belief that the
strongest defense of the causes of universal human rights and the prevention
of genocide is constant education.
END