CANBERRA: Following months of grassroots advocacy, the Armenian- and Greek-Australian communities of Canberra have successfully tabled a petition in the ACT Legislative Assembly calling for the expansion of genocide education in ACT schools.
Sponsored by Mr Andrew Braddock MLA and signed by more than 600 Canberrans, the petition calls on the ACT Legislative Assembly, "to amend the ACT primary and secondary school World War I curriculum to include education on the systematic mass killings and deportations of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek communities under the Ottoman Empire."
The petition marks the culmination of years of advocacy by the Armenian and Greek communities in the ACT, who have worked to build strong bipartisan support within the Legislative Assembly for recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides and the importance of educating future generations about these crimes against humanity.
Over the past six months, volunteers from both communities undertook an extensive grassroots campaign to build public support for the petition, conducting letterbox drops, flyering campaigns and community outreach across Canberra.
The petition was formally tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly in early June, where Members from across the political spectrum spoke in support of its objectives. Mr Peter Cain MLA, Ms Caitlin Tough MLA, Ms Fiona Carrick MLA and Mr Andrew Braddock MLA each addressed the Assembly, underscoring the broad cross-party backing for expanded genocide education.
Speaking in the Assembly, Mr Braddock said: "Many of the Members of this Assembly have expressed support in principle for this recognition. Now is the time to move beyond principle and take tangible steps towards making it a reality."
The petition now awaits a formal response from the ACT Government, which will determine whether to establish an inquiry into the matters raised, including the proposed expansion of genocide education within the Territory's school curriculum.
Speaking on the petition, ANC-AU Political Affairs Director, Sebastian Majarian, said: "Recognition is only meaningful when it is accompanied by education. By teaching students about the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides, we honour the victims, preserve historical truth and equip future generations to recognise and prevent these crimes from happening again. We urge the ACT Government to seize this opportunity and establish an inquiry into expanding genocide education."
He continued: “We’d also like to sincerely thank every Canberran who signed this petition, every community member who lent a hand, and the Members of the Legislative Assembly who have championed this cause. While there’s still more to be done, the overwhelming support we have received is encouraging.”
