Canberra, Australia, is hosting largest ever Advocacy Week kicked off by the Armenian National Committee of Australia’s (ANC Australia) on November 20 with a seminar, ‘Advocacy in a New Era’, that brought together representatives of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian communities of Australia.

The seminar participants raised awareness of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Genocides during meetings with Federal Members and Senators.

The combined delegation of over 20 representatives includes Chairman of the ANC World Council and international guest of honor for Advocacy Week 2011, Hagop Der Khatchadourian, members of the ANC Australia National Board, ANC Australia Western Sydney, ANC Australia Melbourne, the Armenian Youth Federation, the Assyrian Universal Alliance and the Australian Hellenic Council.

The seminar featured four presentations on issues related to the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Genocides and advocacy efforts today.

Der Khatchadourian spoke about the international advocacy efforts of the three nations and the milestones achieved in raising awareness of this fundamental human rights issue globally.

Dr Panayiotis Diamadis, Director of the Australian Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, focused on the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Genocides as events embedded in Australian history.

Haig Kayserian, Communications Director at ANC Australia, delivered a presentation on utilizing the internet and social media to raise awareness and advocate for Australian - as well as international - recognition of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Genocides.

Varant Meguerditchian, Executive Director of ANC Australia, presented an overview of Armenian, Greek and Assyrian advocacy efforts in Australia.

George Vellis, NSW Coordinator of the Australian Hellenic Council, spoke about the importance of genocide recognition for the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian communities. “Recognition of these genocides is particularly important in the healing process for the estimated 900,000 Australians of Armenian, Greek and Assyrian descent.”

In addition to the campaign in Canberra, Advocacy Week 2011 is packed with several engaging community activities, including a Q&A with Hagop Der Khatchadourian in Sydney’s West on Wednesday, November 23; the ANC Australia Annual Banquet at the Willoughby Concourse Reception Centre on Friday, November 25; as well as the most high profile event on the Armenian Australian social calendar, Armenian Family Day at Ryde No. 1 Oval on Sunday, November 27, armenia.com.au reported.