AASSSG News Releases

2023 Kreiger Essay & film Contest Preventing Genocide, 10 May deadline

2022 Kreiger Essay & film Contest Preventing Genocide, 24 April deadline

2022 Dr. Gergerian, Eulogy by Dr. Ani Kalayjian

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:  Dr. Ani Kalayjian DATE:  16 March, 2011 TEL:  (201) 941-2266 www.meaningfulworld.com New York, NY  – On Thursday, 7 April 2011, the Armenian American Society for Studies on Stress and Genocide (AASSSG) partnering with like-minded organization, will hold its annual symposium on Preventing Genocide at the United Nations from 3-6 P.M.  This year our symposium is titled, “Embracing Our Ancestral DNA:  Transforming Generationally Transmitted Restrictions of Ethnicity, Nationality and Belief Systems to Positive Lessons and Wisdom.” Donald Wilson Bush?, President of the Woodrow Wilson Legacy Foundation will receive the 2011 AASSSG Outstanding Achievement Award. Donald Wilson Bush is an eighth generation Woodrow Wilson family? descendant, directly descended from Woodrow Wilson’s ?great-grandfather.? As a pragmatic conservative writer, a public?speaker, and a global advocate for democratic causes,?Mr. Bush has given presentations in both national and international forums championing civility and peace in?the Western Civic Tradition. He has been a friend of the? Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Birthplace ?for 28 years, and his media interviews and lectures have been broadcast to more than 3.5 million people ?worldwide.? A pioneer in distance learning, Donald Wilson Bush has broad?experience consulting in education, politics, interfaith ministry, and? entertainment.? Prior to his involvement as a global advocate for democratic causes, Mr.?Bush worked as a special assistant to Dr. Billy Graham; a director of?curriculum development in distance education at Reformed Theological? Seminary; a community resource consultant in the City of Alexandria,? Virginia; a legislative clerk for VA State Senator Patsy S. Ticer; and a U.S.?Congressional campaign manager in Virginia’s 5th District.?Mr. Bush is also a lifelong Scots Presbyterian and holds degrees from? Montreat College, King College and Reformed Theological Seminary. In his presentation, “ From School Yards to Diplomatic Missions:  Taking Leadership to Stop Bullying,” Mr. Bush will focus on how initiatives aimed at sustainable peace and productivity must begin with establishing civility in public discourse and must help to enable both children and adults to take a stand against bullying in the process. Bush examines how the First Amendment is a gift that must be respected and cherished. He traces how bullying begins with the human motivation to dominate and addresses the fundamental and common obstacles bullying presents in solving problems. In addition, he talks about a new vision of “productive conflict” and help interested citizens  to achieve not only prevent genocide but to create “Peace through Leadership.” Our next speaker, Aurel N. Mocanu, will share his expertise with his presentation on, “Healing through Family Constellations.”   Aurel N. Mocanu is a psychologist who received his degree in Psychology in 2008 from the Spiru Haret University in Romania.   He also has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Gh. Asaki Politechnical University in Romania.  “My lifetime journey has been rich in traveling and experiencing different types of healing energy work… and in the past years I have been coming to what feels like my calling in shamanic healing and family constellations work,” states Mr. Mocanu.  He has organized many workshops and trainings in shamanic healing and family constellations.  Through his work, Mr. Mocanu has come to the understanding that much of our suffering and difficulties that we’re struggling with in life have a lot to do with the individual and collective traumas that our ancestors endured.   He is currently researching methods for healing these deep places in our being and in our history, so that we can create healthier and more balanced and joyful ways of being in the world. Our last esteemed speaker, Sally Kader, is the Chair of U.S. Middle East for Peace at the UN Church Center.   Mrs. Kader will address, “The Role of Women in Healing Generational Wounds.” Mrs. Sally (Salwa) Kader is President and the Founder of the United States Federation for Middle East Peace (USFMEP), a non-profit organization promoting the United Nations’ Principle and commitment to Human Rights and to international peace and justice. Mrs. Kader is well known and respected as public speaker in interfaith Dialogue; she has spoken at the UN headquarters and across the continental US, in Europe and throughout the Middle East to a wide variety of audiences. She has received numerous international awards for her peace initiatives and activities towards reconciliation in the Middle East and for her efforts in Empowerment of Women from many governments and organizations worldwide including the United States Senate awards, latest were the United Nations MDG awards recognition in 2010. She traveled internationally to lead Peace conferences and Forum focusing on mutual respect and better understanding the religious philosophies, cultures, history and affairs of the Middle East and the West. Due to the efforts of Mrs. Kader, the USFMEP has established chapters across the world.  The USFMEP has hosted conferences, seminars, workshops, roundtables and public forums. For well over 20 years, AASSSG has been faithfully dedicated to recognizing, resolving and healing the traumas resulting from genocide by organizing educational conferences at Fordham University, John Jay College and now proudly for the first time at the United Nations.  Our mission is to inform and empower grass roots’ support for discovering new avenues in the quest for finding solutions to the engrained historical and psychological issues associated with Genocide. AASSSG also sponsors the annual Krieger Essay Contest open to High School and College students, writing about what Genocide means to them.  A highlight of the symposium is having the students read excerpts from their award-winning essays. Cosponsors are: The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations, Association for Trauma Outreach & Prevention (ATOP), Meaningfulworld.com, The Armenian Constitutional Rights Protective Centre of Armenia, and Health, Transformation & Spirituality, a Working Group of CONGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns – NY (CSVGC) at UN. Organizing Committee Members are: Dr. Kalayjian, Dr. Gergerian, Dr. Shahinian, Mr. Milian, and Ms. Markarian. Kindly contact Katherine by April 1st to receive a UN ID: kkazemeaningfulworld@gmail.com.

4 August, 2010 New York, NY Association for Trauma Outreach & Prevention of Meaningfulworld Dr. Ani Kalayjian Phone: 201 – 941-2266 Email: DrKalayjian@meaningfulworld.com www.meaningfulworld.com The July 29th symposium on “Genocide and Torture Prevention: Legal, Mind and Body Perspectives” proved to be a thought provoking and educational conference with various hints of controversy at the end. The response to the invitations for the event were well received as the conference room was at its full capacity, with many late registrants unable to take part, and late comers having to be seated on the floor. The conference commenced with an insightful overview powerpoint presentation by founder and President of the humanitarian organization the Association for Trauma Outreach & Prevention of Meaningful World, affiliated with UN’s Department of Public Information, and celebrated Fordham University psychology professor Dr Ani Kalayjian. Dr Kalayjian began with a powerpoint presentation on the UN conventions on human rights and their relevance to the rights of the individual in the contexts of genocide and torture. Dr Kalayjian followed up with iconic images of various genocides committed around the world, starting with slavery, the plot of the indigenous people of the world, the Genocide of Armenians, Rwandan, Darfurian, Jewish and Sikh genocides and stressed the critical importance that recognition and a willingness to address these atrocities have on the process of reconciliation and forgiveness for the survivors and their families. Dr Kalayjian concluded her presentation with a framework for identifying the effects of genocide on the mind, body and spirit and presented her Seven-Step Biopsychosocial and Eco-Spiritual model that ATOP of Meaningfulworld has applied successfully in 29 regions gripped with the effects of current and past conflicts. The next speaker was Mr. Hansdeep Singh, graduated from Fordham law school and legal director for the Voices of Freedom NGO. Mr. Singh provided an informative contextual background to the systematic oppression/genocide facing the Sikh communities in India. Mr. Singh outlined the nature of the marginalization of the Sikh community, the outright involvement of the Indian security forces and the unofficial government support or indifference to the challenges facing the Sikhs. An online video was presented at the end of Mr Singh’s lecture. The final speaker was Martin Harrich of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) who presented a slideshow and lecture to outline the grave humanitarian consequences of Israeli actions in Gaza, including the effects of the strict blockade which has starved Palestinians of essential medical, building, and material goods. Mr Harrich outlined the exchange of fire between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces and made special mention of “Operation Cast Lead” in 2008 when Israel closed off all remaining access to Gaza, took complete control of the flow of goods into Gaza including water and electricity, and continued to devastate Gaza’s shattered economy, not allowing Palestinians to rebuild destroyed buildings due to building material restrictions, and placed an enormous strain on the stretched Palestinian medical services. Finally, Mr Harrich called for the Gaza blockade to be lifted, for Israel to comply to its obligations under international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, and for both sides to commit to the reality that there is no alternative to the two-State solution,  with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, based on international law and  Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338(1973), 1397 (2002), 1515(2003), 1850 (2008) and 1860 (2009) and all other relevant United Nations resolutions. At Mr Harrich’s conclusion, Dr Ani Kalayjian invited questions from the floor, asking the attendees to refrain from political statements and lengthy contextual backgrounds out of consideration for others who would like to ask questions as well. A man who identified himself as a member of the permanent mission of Turkey to the United Nations began refuting Dr Kalayjian’s statements regarding the Armenian Genocide, claiming that the number of Armenians killed had been much lower and that most of the Armenians perished as a result of a relocation process of the Armenian community away from First World War conflict zones, an official version of the events adopted by the current Turkish government. When Dr Kalayjian politely prompted the individual to ask a question if he had one and to refrain from political statements, he immediately became belligerent, accusing Dr Kalayjian of misrepresenting the facts, and acted in a manner that was both unprofessional and aggressive, continuing to yell his challenges to the panel. As Dr Kalayjian attempted to redirect the course of the intimidating exchange, the individual stormed out of the room and slammed the door. Another man of Turkish origin attempted to refute Dr Kalayjian’s account of the genocide and subsequently left the conference room as well. What followed was an informative exchange of questions and ideas between the panel and the participants in an effort to move towards a better understanding of these painful and deeply impacting events. Another disruption occurred during Dr Kalayjian’s attempts to conclude the symposium when the individual who had claimed to have been part of the Turkish mission to the UN returned and began demanding to be heard in an aggressive and disrespectful manner. Dr Kalayjian apologised for the time restraints but the conference needed to be concluded, at which point the individual became even more aggressive and Dr Kalayjian had to ask for security, at which point the individual stormed out once again. Despite the overall success of the conference, the event was marred by the discovery of a threatening and derogatory note, written in Turkish, found near Dr Kalayjian’s seat at the panel. The note in question has been collected and will be submitted to the UN in a formal complaint. Papers presented at this symposium do not reflect official opinions of cosponsoring organizations; they are solely opinions of presenters.  Special gratitude to all cosponsoring organizations: The permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations, Association for Trauma Outreach & Prevention ATOP of Meaningfulworld; Armenian American Society for Studies on Stress & Genocide; Voices for Freedom,

AASSSG Symposium on Prevention of Genocide Press release April 2010 By Susan Markar      On Tuesday, April 6th at the AGBU Center in New York City, the Armenian -American Society for Studies on Stress and Genocide (AASSSG) held its annual symposium on Genocide Prevention.  This year’s symposium was entitled, “Preventing Genocide through Awareness, Insight and Education.” The program began with President Dr. Ani Kalayjian welcoming the attendees, thanking the AGBU for providing the venue, and introducing the award-winning film, “The River Ran Red,” by Dr. J. Michael Hagopian. The film depicts the history of the Armenian Genocide with survivors reliving the details of the atrocities in their own words.  The film begins with the massacres at the Euphrates River and ends at Deir Zor where children were incinerated in caves.  Deir Zor has been described as hell on earth and as the point of no return. There are facts and statistics for the Genocide of the Armenians and other Christian minorities, but Dr. Hagopian’s film is all about the human factor, like a son wanting to feed his dying mother or a sister wanting to save her baby sister.   In the film, one woman describes the beheading of a crying baby.   As a little girl, witnessing this horrific act, she thinks and keeps thinking that there must be a way that she can reattach the baby’s head. The film also shows how non-Armenians kept written accounts of this silent Genocide.  A niece recalls that her Aunt Polly, part of an American missionary family, had written that she asked the Turkish soldiers to take her to the valley where all the Armenians are forced to go.  For two days Aunt Polly was allowed to go to the valley that was full of Armenian corpses.  On the third day, the Turkish soldiers decided she had followed them far enough.  They knew they couldn’t threaten her outright, as an American, without getting the American government involved.  So, they forced her to turn back by putting a pistol to her driver’s head. After the film, which depicted the traumatic history Dr Kalayjian asked to turn to the next generation and to find out what the students had written in their award – winning Krieger essays.  Awards were given to the students who had creative conclusions and were able to incorporate a larger view on Genocides.  The Kreiger essay topic has been, “What the Legacy of Genocide Means to Me.” One of the winners said that as a Palestinian, it (genocide) hits home, as it is happening right now and just like the Armenians no one wants to talk about it. “My goal,” he added, “is to spread awareness of cultural genocide.” Dr. Kalayjian and the AASSSG Committee presented Dr. Hagopian with the 2010 AASSSG Outstanding Achievement Award for his commitment and dedication to making documentaries about the Armenian Genocide. In his remarks upon receiving the award, he said “I wanted you to feel what it was like to go through genocide and that I wanted the survivors to tell the story themselves, and how they felt when it was happening to them.” As a genocide survivor himself, Dr. Hagopian, a 96 years young and energetic person, told the story of how as a boy his family was forced to leave Harpout and the family dog named Humor behind.  He recalled that his father rented a Model T. Ford and his family drove off with Humor crying and chasing the car.  To this day, Dr. Hagopian said in a somber tone of voice, “I still have the image of a dog chasing his loved ones.”    He added that he uses imagery like this in his films that will resonate with the viewers. Dr. Kalayjian thanked Dr. Hagopian, for  his awareness, insight, and commitment to the Armenian cause.  She then introduced the next speaker, Michael Bobelian, author of Children of Armenia.  Mr. Michael Bobelian began his presentation with two main points.  The first was the issue of Turkish denial that the Ottoman Empire got away with the crime of genocide and still to this day denies the truth of the genocide. The second point and amazing fact was that the Armenian Genocide was well known throughout the world as it was taking place in 1915.  Every major newspaper and magazine covered the genocide.  The New York Times alone featured more than 100 articles in 1915.  Armenians were the first beneficiaries of aid, similar to today’s Live Aid.  Thousands of American volunteers had pitched in to help along with various organizations.  The Near East Foundation used celebrities like Jackie Coogan to ask for donations of evaporated milk for the starving Armenians.  Charity events were also held to raise funds for the Armenian victims. Mr. Bobelian went on to reinforce the value of Hitler’s infamous quotation a little more than two decades later, “After all, who today remembers the genocide of the Armenians?”  He then stated that there was a long period of silence and that it wasn’t until 1965, 50 years later that Armenians started reminding the world of the 1st Genocide of the 20th century.  Mr. Bobelian said that in April of 1965, there was a groundswell of emotional response.  In Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, 100,000 had Armenians participated in an Armenian Genocide Commemoration, in spite of covert Soviet pressure.  Another fact reported by Mr. Bobelian, there were no monuments dedicated to the victims of the genocide until 1967-1968. He continued with the history of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, beginning in 1974 when the first legislative advocates reached the executive branch.  He told the story of Senator Bob Dole’s friendship with Armenian surgeon, Dr. Hampar Kelikian. Dr. Kelikian had greatly influenced his life. He brought awareness of the Armenian Genocide to the senator.  In September of 1989, Dole introduced the resolution on the Armenian Genocide.  Mr. Bobelian noted that one paragraph would trigger five months of intense opposition against the resolution. Turkey had lobbying firms, like Halliburton, who warned against the dangers of passing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New York, February 14, 2008—After the Holocaust, people cried “never again.” Yet genocide has not gone away. “Roots of Evil: Continued Challenges for the Denial of Mass Human Rights Violation,” a Symposium taking place on Friday, April 4, 2008 at Fordham University, Lincoln Center at 7:00 PM, will address the impact of genocide during the last one-hundred years—and the issue of genocide denial. The Symposium is organized and chaired by Dr. Ani Kalayjian, Professor of Psychology at Fordham University and President of the Armenian-American Society for Studies on Stress and Genocide (AASSSG). The Symposium commemorates those who died in the Ottoman Turkish Genocide, and the memory of Hrant Dink, an Armenian-Turkish journalist who was assassinated in January 2007 for his views on freedom of speech. Hrant Dink will be honored posthumously as Recipient of the 2007 AASSGG Outstanding Achievement Award. His wife Rakel Dink will accept the award in tribute to her husband’s legacy. The evening begins by honoring the Krieger Essay Winners. This year marks the 13th Anniversary of the Krieger Contest, which draws hundreds of essay on genocide from throughout the tri-state area. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Dr. Richard Koenigsberg, Faculty Member, Institute for the Study of Violence at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, will speak on the Denial of the Destructiveness of Civilization. Nearly two-hundred people have been slaughtered in the last one-hundred years as a result of violent acts undertaken by nation-states. Do we actually grasp the reality of the destruction that societies have leveled against their own people? Dr. Koenigsberg will examine the concept of genocide-denial within the framework of a broader form of denial: our refusal to look closely at the destruction wrought by our own nations—and civilization itself. Richard Koenigsberg is an author, lecturer and teacher focusing on the roots of collective forms of violence. New editions of his books—Hitler’s Ideology: Embodied Metaphor, Fantasy and History and The Nation: A Study in Ideology and Fantasy—recently have been released by Information Age Publishing. His website Ideologies of War, Genocide and Terror (created with Orion Anderson) has attracted world-wide attention. Suliman A. Giddo is a graduate of Khartoum University and received Masters degrees from Strayer University and Fordham University. He has worked for the United Arab Emirates Government and the American Red Cross. He is Co-Founder and President of Darfur Peace and Development. The mission of Mr. Giddo’s non-profit organization is to restore reconciliation where conflict exists in the Darfur region of Sudan through humanitarian aid and services. He will speak about his experiences as a mediator working to prevent further violent escalation of the tragic conflict in Darfur. Mr. Giddo approaches mediation as a process designed to create trust through communication and dialogue—in order to prevent violent escalation. Margaret Ajemian Ahnert is a graduate of Goddard College and Goucher College and has produced television documentaries. She will speak about her book The Knock at the Door, winner of the 2007 USA News award for the Best Book on World History. In 1915, Armenian Christians in Turkey were driven out of their homes as the Turkish army embarked on a widespread campaign of intimidation and murder. Margaret Ajemian Ahnert relates the riveting story of her mother Ester’s terrifying experiences as a young woman. Her account of her mother’s suffering is framed by an intimate portrait of her relationship with her 98-yer old mother. Ester’s inspiring stories, told lovingly by her daughter, provide a window into the harrowing struggles of the Armenians during a terrible period in human history. Entertainment will be provided by Quartet T, with selections from the work of Komitas, an Armenian composer.  The quartet includes the talents of Kristi Helberg and Amie Weiss on violin, You-Young Kim on viola, and Jane O’Hara on cello. Alumni of Julliard, Oberlin Conservatory and Mannes Schools of Music, the members of Quartet T have additional musical training in Middle Eastern, Klezmer and North Indian music. The musicians present eastern musical forms and explore the works of western composers who have taken inspiration from these forms. The Symposium will conclude with a question-and-answer period, followed by a reception, refreshments and networking. The admission fee is $12 (free for Fordham University Students). SPONSORS Armenian American Society for Studies on Stress and Genocide (AASSSG) Fordham Psychology Association Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI), New York Association for Trauma Outreach & Prevention (ATOP) Fordham Psi Chi Meaningful World