Corning Centre Commends Motion M-587 and Participates in April Commemorative Events

May 6, 2015

In the month of April, commemorative events dedicated to the centenary of the Armenian Genocide took place in cities worldwide. The Corning Centre participated in official commemorations in five cities: Yerevan, Toronto, Ottawa, Istanbul and New York. Below are photos from those events.

In the month of April, commemorative events dedicated to the centenary of the Armenian Genocide took place in cities worldwide. The Corning Centre participated in official commemorations in five cities: Yerevan, Toronto, Ottawa, Istanbul and New York. Below are photos from those events.

We also contributed to the powerful Canadian message on this occasion. We were interviewed by CTV News’s Josh Eliott for his article “100 Years Later, Armenian Genocide Stories Survive on Social Media”, which was published on April 24, 2015, and which featured our 100 Voices Project.

Founder and Chair Raffi Sarkissian’s opinion piece “Why We Commit to Commemorate”, dedicated to collective commemoration, education and justice for the Armenian Genocide, was also published on April 24, in the Globe and Mail. The article was timely since Parliament unanimously passed Motion M-587 later that day. It declared April of each year as Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month and April 24 of each year as Armenian Genocide Memorial Day. The Corning Centre announced on that occasion, “A powerful and united message echoed from the Canadian Parliament on April 24. This was a collective message of solidarity with all victims of genocide internationally and all those who are dedicated to end denial and prevent genocide in all countries. Motion M-587 not only sets out to remember the past but also ensures that the rights of all those who are working to defend human rights are also upheld. This rings true for Turkish civil society and institutions that are working tirelessly for Turkish recognition of the Armenian Genocide and compensation for victims.” This motion, which complements a similar statement by the Toronto District School Board from two years ago designating April as Genocide Awareness Month board-wide, will further the genocide education work the Centre does in Canada.

Finally, on April 28, the Corning Centre made an official visit to the newly renovated and improved Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in Yerevan. On this occasion, Sarkissian met with Deputy Director Suren Manukyan and discussed future cooperation and initiatives. Sarkissian also gave copies of the newly published Canada and the Armenian Genocide to the museum.