2746) Zoryan Institute Launches High School Essay Contest on Genocide, And You?

Yes You! Please Tell Us What You Have?

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Toronto, Canada-The Zoryan Institute announced the "High School Essay Contest on Genocide." asking grade 11 students some thought-provoking questions about genocide.

Prizes: 1st $1,500, 2nd $1,250, 3rd $1,000. The prize money is intended to help students with their university tuition.

The essay is in two parts. The first part contains a series of questions about genocide, its definition, and several case studies, that every contestant must answer. In the second part, students can choose one of several subjects to answer in depth. . . The deadline: end of April 2009.

Every contestant will receive a gift from the Institute for their efforts.

In August 2007, the Ontario Ministry of Education approved a grade 11 curriculum for the teaching of Genocide and Human Rights (CHG38M). As a result, the Toronto District School Board adopted its own curriculum in June 2008, and the A.R.S. Armenian School in Toronto was one of the first schools in Ontario to teach the approved curriculum in the fall of 2008. The Institute's objective is to test the program at the A.R.S. School, with a view to expanding it to Armenian schools across North America, once financial sponsors for the program in each locale are secured.

Zoryan welcomes inquiries from educators, parents and sponsors about bringing this program to other schools.

This program will facilitate students engaging themselves in this challenging subject.

Zoryan's comparative approach demonstrates how the Armenian Genocide is part of the larger story of genocide in human history, and helps students be more aware of its universal lessons. This comparative study of genocide helps our youth understand not only their history and identity, but also the connections they have to their fellow human beings."

Roger Smith, Chairman of Zoryan's Academic Board of Directors, commented, "I am very pleased that the A.R.S. School has adopted this curriculum and this pilot project, whose objective is to encourage students in grade 11 across Canada and the US to take a deeper interest in genocide and human rights studies. It is my hope that the program will help sensitize and motivate Armenian students to make these subjects a lifelong pursuit."