May 13, 2002

WASHINGTON — As Armenians around the world observed Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on April 24, international media and educational organizations committed to human and civil rights turned to the Armenian National Institute (ANI) for its resources and expertise throughout the entire month of April.

The recently aired Public Broadcasting Service documentary, “The Genocide Factor,” relied heavily on ANI for background information. ANI’s Web site was also relied upon for the research conducted for the documentary. The series’ segment on the Armenian Genocide featured survivors and commentators, including Dr. Richard Hovannisian and Dr. Yehuda Bauer.

Facing History and Ourselves featured ANI’s online Armenian Genocide educational materials. The lesson plans, aimed for students in grades 9-12, discuss topics including “Individual Identity and Collective Memory,” “Under the Cover of War,” “The American Ambassador in Constantinople” and “Nation Building and the Armenian Genocide.” Each topic contains activities, recommended books on the subject and suggested questions and exercises to engage the students on the issues. Facing History and Ourselves (www.facing.org), an educational foundation, helps students “find meaning in the past and recognize the need for participation and responsible decision making.”

Tolerance.org featured Facing History’s lesson plans on the Armenian Genocide, inclusive of ANI’s instructional materials. Tolerance.org is a Web project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, a national civil rights organization. Tolerance.org encourages people from all walks of life to “fight hate and promote tolerance.”

ANI also continued to receive favorable reviews from professional organizations on its Web site. The American Library Association’s College & Research Libraries “Internet Reviews” in its March issue noted that “ANI should be featured on any library's site that deals with genocide studies, World War I, or the 20th century.” The American Library Association is a nationwide organization promoting library and information services.

The Armenian National Institute is dedicated to the study, research, remembrance and re-affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Please visit the ANI Web Site: www.armenian-genocide.org.