Armenian Genocide Education Committee , Merrimack Valley

10/29/2022

Dear Social Studies Educators,
The Armenian Genocide Education Group of the Merrimack Valley is now launching its 2022-2023 campaign, newly energized by the recent passage of Massachusetts State Senate Bill S2557, “An Act Concerning Genocide Education.” Bill S2557 tasks Massachusetts educators to incorporate genocide and human rights education into their social studies curricula.
The Armenian Genocide Education Group’s powerpoint/video presentation, offered as an interactive discussion on the Armenian Genocide, is a highly informative resource for those social studies departments looking to supplement their educational program on genocide studies. Our complimentary presentation can be formatted to accommodate a wide range of class times, 45 to 90 minutes. The Armenian Genocide Education Committee of the Merrimack Valley was recently recognized at the Massachusetts State House for its role in promoting human rights awareness through genocide education. Further information about the committee is available at the committee's page, https://www.facebook.com/MVArmenianGenEd1915.
To underscore the lessons that can be learned from examining the Armenian Genocide, consider the comments by Samantha Powers, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. In remarks honoring Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, Powers bemoaned that denial of the genocide against the Armenians has been one the reasons that injustices continue to this day.
As one of the presenters and a son of a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, I am able to share my father’s experience during the massacres of his village of Ordu in Turkey, how he processed his horrific experience during his life here in America, the extent of denial by the genocide perpetrators, and how students can learn how the continued denial of the Armenian Genocide has helped enable subsequent cases of man’s inhumanity to man.
We look forward to your response, and hope a visit to your school can be arranged during this academic school year.

Ara A. Jeknavorian, Ph.D.

10/21/2017

The Armenian Genocide Education Committee began its 2017-2018 campaign with a presentation on the Armenian Genocide to 300 8th grade students at the Galvin Middle School in Canton, MA on . Thursday, October 19. Appreciation is extended to Diane Keverian for initiating contact with Mr. Anthony Natale, social studies teacher at the Galvin School, and to Mr. Natale, who warmly welcomed our committee to the school. The students were very attentive and quite engaged in our discussion.

09/25/2017

The Armenian Genocide Education Committee is proud to launch its 8th year of classroom presentations and discussions about the Armenian Genocide to junior high, high school, and colleges/universities. The significance of studying the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide is well expressed in recent comments by Samantha Powers, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and author of "A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide." In remarks honoring Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, Powers bemoaned that “Genocide against the Armenians was one the reasons that injustices continue to this day." Educators who seek to compliment their course studies on genocide and human rights are encouraged to engage in a discussion on the Armenian Genocide. Please contact Ara Jeknavorian - [email protected]

04/21/2017

I highly encourage all educators, teachers, students, go learn about world history during WW1, the first Genocide , of the Armenian nation.
any questions about group rates, student discounts, please pm me.

The resistance has one goal: survive. The Promise in theaters April 21.

03/30/2017

The Merrimack Valley Genocide Education Committee led four classroom discussions about the Armenian Genocide at Belmont High School over a two day period, March 29-30. The students asked excellent questions concerning about the on-going denial of the genocide and current relations between Turkey and Armenia.

02/25/2017

I hope my friends in the New England community come out and join us next Saturday night as we pay tribute to a man I highly respect, my friend Tom Vartabedian.

We would like to encourage all our parishioners to attend this most auspicious event! While Tom Vartabedian was one of St. Gregory's very own, in so many ways he belonged to all... and now he belongs to the ages. Please join the Lowell ARF "Aharonian" Gomideh and the greater Merrimack Valley Armenian community as we pay tribute the memory of this incredible man. (Please contact Armen Jeknavorian at [email protected] for more information or to make reservations)

02/16/2017

The Armenian Genocide Education Committee had a very warm reception at North Reading High School this week (Feb. 15) as some 70 students, taking a world history class, participated in a discussion on the Armenian Genocide. Among the questions posed, one student asked "what outcome would Armenians expect from recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States."

02/09/2017

The Armenian Genocide Education Committee had a great discussion about the Armenian Genocide and Human Rights at Tewskbury High School on Wednesday, February 8. Some 80 students and teachers were present, and asked many probing questions, especially about the reluctance of the Turkish Gov't to recognize and make just reparations. We will visit Tewksbury High School again on Monday, February 13, then onto N. Reading High School on the following week.

12/20/2016

The Armenian Genocide Education Committee is busy booking our presentation for the late winter and spring sessions. We are invited by word of mouth, and the advocacy of our supporters. So if you know of a teacher or high school that may be interested in our program, be proactive and ask if we could do a class presentation. We are excited as to reception we continue to receive from the teachers to the students. Example, Tewksbury High School just booked the entire 10th grade to view our presentation. Huge accomplishment .Please contact myself, Greg Minasian, or Dr. Ara Jeknavorian with any questions, or to book our presentation. Thank you

11/22/2016

Tom Vartabedian, one of the founders of the Armenian Genocide Educational committee of Merrimack Valley, will be honored this Saturday . The community at large shares such a big loss, as his contribution and zest to teach American youth is second to none.

WATERTOWN, MA — The ANCA Eastern Region extends our deepest condolences to the Vartabedian family, the Merrimack Valley community, and beyond for the passing of Unger Tom Vartabedian. We will proudly honor him at the upcoming 10th annual banquet with the 2016 ANCA-ER Cardashian Award – the highest h...

11/19/2016

Teachers and Student Tweets on Tom, and his impact.

“Tom, you will be missed by students of history and crusaders for social justice. https://t.co/2vvMDSR5SY”