The Armenian Genocide Research Program at The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA, the Center for the Study of Law and Genocide at LMU Loyola Law School, and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) present the first-ever conference pertaining to the Armenian Genocide and Restitution. This conference is co-sponsored by the Armenian Bar Association, the Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA School of Law, and the Ararat Eskijian Museum.
Saturday, March 25, 2023
8:45 AM - 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Mong Learning Center (Engineering VI Building)
404 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095
If every genocide has its own peculiar character and afterlife, the afterlife of the Armenian Genocide has been the long-standing denial of its existence by successive Turkish governments. It has been of great importance for Armenians worldwide that the great catastrophe they experienced during and after World War I be recognized as what it was: genocide. At the end of the 1970s, especially in the United States, an Armenian Genocide recognition movement emerged with the principal aim of American legislative and executive bodies, both at the state and federal level, recognizing the genocide.
Decades later, this goal was finally achieved. In 2019, both houses of U.S. Congress recognized the Armenian Genocide, followed by President Biden's official recognition on April 24, 2021. Their goal achieved, Armenian activists and organizations were now faced with the question: "What's next?" This question has yet to be fully examined, much less answered by Armenian communities in the U.S. and elsewhere, and there remains an incomplete awareness and understanding of the possible steps following recognition.
Through this one-day conference, we will explore questions such as: what are the possibilities of creating an Armenian Genocide reparation movement post-recognition? What opportunities does the American legal system offer for reparation? Can the Holocaust restitution movement serve as a model for the Armenian Genocide?
The first session will feature Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat as the Opening Keynote Speaker, who will discuss his critical efforts during the Clinton administration and those of several successive U.S. administrations in achieving some measure of justice for the post-Holocaust restitution movement. We will then host panels examining past efforts at Armenian Genocide restitution through litigation and Goodwill settlements, as well as the current landscape concerning looted art from the genocidal period and post-genocide recognition policies.
Schedule
08:00 - 08:45 Registration & Coffee
08:45 - 09:00 Welcoming Remarks
Taner Akçam, Ann Karagozian, Stanley Goldman, Marc Mamigonian
09:00 - 09:20 Introduction
Taner Akçam
09:20 - 10:45 Interview with Amb. Stuart Eizenstat:
How Can Holocaust Restitution Serve as a Model? (pre-recorded)
In Conversation: Amb. Eizenstat and Michael Bazyler
10:45 - 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 - 12:35 Panel 1: Lessons from Post-Genocide Restitution Litigation
Moderator: Marc Mamigonian
Panelists: Madison King, Rajika Shah, Karnig Kerkonian, Thaddeus Stauber
12:35 - 01:30 Lunch Break
01:30 - 03:05 Panel 2: Armenian Genocide Looted Art
Moderator: Michael Bazyler
Panelists: Andrew Curry, Ani Avagyan, Alex Herman, Heghnar Watenpaugh
03:05 - 03:20 Coffee Break
03:20 - 04:40 Panel 3: U.S. Armenian Genocide Restitution Post-Recognition
Moderator: Rajika Shah
Panelists: Lee Boyd, Mayo Moran
Discussants: Kate Mackintosh, Armen Hovannisian
04:40 - 06:00 Closing Reception
Per UCLA’s COVID-19 protocols, we strongly recommend the wearing of masks at this indoor event to prevent the spread of the virus. More information on UCLA’s COVID-19 protocols for visitors may be found here.
This event will take place at the Mong Learning Center (Engineering VI Building)
Visitor parking available at UCLA Parking Structure 8.
- Park on the roof of Parking Structure 8
- Pay for parking at a Paystation
- Take the stairs or the elevator to Level 1/Westwood Plaza
- Cross the street diagonally, then turn slightly left, continuing north, past the bus stop
- Engineering VI will be on your right as you walk north on Westwood Plaza
Please note: This event will be photographed and recorded for documentation and distribution. All audience members agree to the possibility of appearing in these photographs and recordings by virtue of attending the event or participating in the event.
Download file: Full-Program-30-mfw.pdf