LOS ANGELES, CA – The ANC Leadership Institute hosted an insightful and informative briefing with Dr. Israel Charny on Thursday, June 13, 2002. Charny, who is a noted genocide and Holocaust scholar, serves as the Executive Director of the Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide in Jerusalem. Most recently, Dr. Charny served as editor of the two-volume Encyclopedia of Genocide, the first encyclopedia ever published on the subject of genocide.

The gathering was enhanced by a number of distinguished scholars, including Professor Richard Hovannisian of UCLA, Professor Richard Dekmejian of USC, Professor Levon Marashlian of Glendale Community College, Dr. Rubina Peroomian of UCLA, Professor Stepan Astourian of UC Berkeley, and Sylvie Tertzakian, who serves as an Adjunct Professor at Chapman University. In addition, a number of other dedicated community activists were present to hear Dr. Charny’s presentation.

After opening remarks delivered by ANCA-WR Chairman Steve Dadaian, Charny was introduced by his longtime friend Harut Sassounian, publisher of the California Courier. Dr. Charny spoke for over an hour on the defining movements occurring in the field of genocide studies, including the increasingly desperate attempts by Turkey to deny the Armenian Genocide. He emphasized the importance of countering all forms of genocide denial and encouraged the Armenian community in America and worldwide to continue its push for full recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

“Dr. Israel Charny has a robust understanding of why our world cannot afford to deny the Armenian Genocide or any other genocide,” commented ANCA-WR Chairman Steven Dadaian after the Leadership Institute gathering. “Through his most recent work in editing the Encyclopedia of Genocide and his past efforts, like his central role in convening the International Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide in Israel in 1982, he stands as a tribute to all those who believe that we can live in a world free from crime’s against humanity. The ANC Leadership Institute is proud to have had Dr. Charny address leading members of our community,” Dadaian added.

The Armenian National Committee Leadership Institute was launched in the year 2002 to bring prominent political, academic, and civic leaders from across the United States and the world face-to-face with Armenian-American leaders from a variety of backgrounds. Previous Leadership Institute speakers have included Samantha Power, author of A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide. Richard Giragosian, a noted political analyst for Radio Free Europe and the author of the monthly newsletter Trans Caucasus: A Chronology has also spoken at a briefing sponsored by the ANC Leadership Institute.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.