McCALPIN TO SPEAK ABOUT LONG-TERM JUSTICE AT ARMENIAN CAUSE 2.0
Noted Expert on Reparations and Reconciliation to Address ANCA's National Conference
June 3, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America announced today that Dr. Jermaine O. McCalpin, an internationally respected expert on long-term justice and transitional justice, will offer remarks at Armenian Cause 2.0, the ANCA’s national conference on social networks, grassroots power, and smart advocacy.
Dr. McCalpin, B.Sc Hons., M.Sc (UWI), M.A, PhD (Brown University), is an Associate Director of the Center for Caribbean Thought and lecturer of Transitional Justice in the Department of Government, University of the West Indies, in Mona, Jamaica. He has spoken and written widely on transitional justice, truth commissions, and genocide and reparations issues, including the restorative justice approach to post-Apartheid reconciliation in South Africa, U.S. slavery reparations, and the extermination of the Native Americans. He is a co-author, along with Dr. Alfred de Zayas (Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations), Dr. Henry Theriault (Worcester State University), and former Ambassador Ara Papian (treaty law specialist), of a draft report about the foundations for pursuing reparations and justice for the Armenian Genocide.
“We are honored that Dr. McCalpin – an international expert on transitional justice – will be joining us at Armenian Cause 2.0 to offer his powerful insights about both the moral imperative and the manifest need for a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We know that his remarks will inform and inspire all in attendance, and spark a vigorous and ongoing community dialogue about the path forward for our community and cause.”
Speaking at an International Human Rights Law Association (IHRLA) conference in October of last year at the University of California, Los Angeles, entitled, “Genocide and Then What? The Law, Ethics, and Politics of Making Amends,” McCalpin addressed the subject of ethics and intergenerational responsibility, noting that “just as wealth can be transferred across generations, responsibilities and obligations are also transferable.” During this same conference, he explained that justice is a necessary component of successful reconciliation processes, stressing that, “in order for groups to reconcile, there has to be basis for justice, both material and moral.”
Dr. McCalpin will be speaking alongside international law expert, Dr. Susan Karamanian, who will be discussing the rights of the Armenian nation and the responsibilities of the international community regarding a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide and ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian, who will address issues ranging from the ANCA’s role in supporting Armenian Genocide-related class actions in U.S. courts to the treaty rights of the Armenian nation.
Armenian Cause 2.0’s full schedule of educational workshops and interactive presentations – including speakers such as former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, POLITICO National Politics Editor Charles Mahtesian, and angel investor and blogger Haig Kayserian – will be complemented by social and networking opportunities, such as a dinner reception at the Armenian Embassy hosted by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian. Break-out sessions will include workshops on advocacy, social media and elections.
Due to overwhelming demand, the ANCA has secured an additional block of 15 rooms at the rate of $149/night plus tax at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel to accommodate conference participants. Registration for those rooms and overall conference registration must be made through the ANCA website – www.anca.org/conference – by Friday, June 10th. For more information regarding the conference, call (202) 775-1918.