Monday, April 21, 2025, 2:00–3:30PM EDT / 11:00AM–12:30PM PDT / 6:00–7:30PM GMT / 8:00–9:30PM CEST / 9:00–10:30PM IDT / 10:00–11:30PM AMT
Webinar
The recent exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh and the harrowing reports of ethnic cleansing in October 2023, the global Armenian diaspora is in shock and profound grief, once again confronted with the weight of intergenerational trauma, of loss of historic lands and rich cultural heritage, echoing the atrocities of the 1915 genocide and intensifying fears of cultural erasure and identity loss. As the world bears witness, the International Center for MultiGenerational Legacies of Trauma convenes this webinar to examine with leading multidisciplinary Armenian international scholars and advocates the enduring legacies of their historical trauma and resilience and impress upon the international community the urgent need for global solidarity in recognizing and protecting vulnerable populations and in celebrating and preserving cultural heritage.
Speakers:
Dr. Gurgen Petrossian
Dr. Gurgen Petrossian holds the position of Senior Officer for International Criminal Law at the International Nuremberg Principles Academy. He teaches international law and international criminal law at Erlangen-Nürnberg, Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and at Yerevan State Universities. Additionally, he is the Chair of the German-Armenian Lawyers’ Association.
Lenna Hovanessian, ESQ.
A community leader, attorney, and activist in Nevada, Lenna has blazed the trail for political activism in Nevada and beyond as ANCA-NV Co-Chair, WR Board Member and recipient of ANCA’s 2023 Visionary Activist Award for her leadership in advancing Armenian Genocide recognition by co-drafting and passing the NV Holocaust and Armenian Genocide Education Bill in 2021. Her career began in litigation and as a federal attorney for the U.S. District Court in California.
Micheal (Mike) Balian
Co-Founder and Co-Host of Mer Hersoner (Our Heroes) podcast, Mike is a 3D artist specializing in sculpting and fabrication. Most recently portrayed Judah the Hammer in the web series Warrior Saints, bringing history to life through both digital art and performance. A former player for the Armenian National Ice Hockey Team, most recently, Mike relocated to Yerevan, Armenia.
Hon. Gassia Apkarian
Appointed to the Orange County Superior Court in 2014, presiding over various criminal and juvenile matters, Judge Apkarian co-founded the Center for Truth and Justice and received the 2022 Alba Witkin Humanitarian Award from the California Judges Association. Earlier, a deputy public defender in Orange County following US national, and several Armenia national humanitarian/development, and international political roles with the Armenian Assembly of America and Armenia’s highest leadership. She earned her BA (political Science) from the University of California, Irvine and her J.D. from the University of La Verne College of Law.
Moderator:
Dr. Yael Danieli
A Clinical psychologist, traumatologist, victimologist and psychohistorian, Dr. Danieli is Founder, Executive Director and Senior Representative to the United Nations of the International Center for MultiGenerational Legacies of Trauma (ICMGLT); Director, Group Project for Holocaust Survivors and their Children and Past-President, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.
