How Armenian Men Can Prevent Violence in Communities: Engaging the Church

Saturday, May 7, 2022

2pm-3:30pm EST / 11am-12:30pm PST

DESCRIPTION:

Initiatives engaging men in the prevention of violence have made impact in various communities in the US and Canada, and various efforts are underway to expand these initiatives. AIWA will be hosting the third of an important presentation and conversation about Armenian male archetypes and how the church might become more active in preventing domestic violence within the Armenian community. Panelists will explore issues that face most communities today (not just the Armenian community), describe a few strength-based programs created by men to address this pervasive problem of domestic violence and sexual assault, and continue the conversation about what a small group of Armenian men might want to do (with the support of AIWA).

Don't miss this fascinating discussion about male leaders in the various fields who are willing to publicly speak and act to oppose violence against women and girls. Q&A to follow presentation.

ZOOM LINK:

https://us02web.zoom.us/w/87098007403?tk=evNh7NdzVaM_qEmL-7gWujWw9QxKlnkvbaLRJKddWyg.DQMAAAAUR3IfaxZCVXRuZXRfQVNTV3dGR01lRUhwS3N3AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&pwd=ZDRodzRYLyt0bHRMZXVWT3g4c2hXQT09

FEATURED GUESTS:

Judy Norsigian - Author & Chair, Our Bodies Ourselves

Judy Norsigian was a founding member of Our Bodies Ourselves (OBOS) in 1971, served as its executive director from 2001 to 2015, and currently chairs the board of this organization best known for the landmark publication Our Bodies, Ourselves. She co-authored all eight Simon & Schuster editions of this book, named by the U.S. Library of Congress as one of “88 books that shaped America.” She was also a member of the editorial teams that produced Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause and Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth. OBOS seeks to advance the health and human rights of women and girls globally.

Judy has appeared on hundreds of television and radio programs, including NBC Nightly News, Al Jazeera, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, Oprah, Fox News, and The Current. She has served on numerous boards for organizations such as the National Women’s Health Network (14 years) and Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (24 years).

Personal recognitions include the Public Service Award from the Massachusetts Public Health Association; the Radcliffe College Alumnae Association Annual Recognition Award; and the Massachusetts Health Council Award. She holds honorary doctorates from Boston University and Simmons University.

Craig Norberg-Bohm - Coordinator, North American Men Engage Network

Craig Norberg-Bohm, is a consultant, recently retired from 15 years working with Jane Doe Inc., The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.  Craig is founder and past director of Jane Doe Inc.’s Massachusetts White Ribbon Day Campaign.   In addition, years go in 1978, Craig was one of the founders of RAVEN (Rape and Violence End Now) in St. Louis, Missouri, one of the earliest men's centers in the U.S. established to engage men to end men's violence against women.  Craig is a founder and present administrator for the North American MenEngage Network, a regional member of the international MenEngage Alliance.   He is also currently president of Community Works, a fundraising federation made up of cooperating social justice organizations across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  

Brandon Balayan - Freelance Journalist

Michael Manoog Kaprielian - Combat Vietnam Vet

Michael Manoog Kaprielian is a combat Vietnam Veteran who was one of the first men to earn a degree in women’s studies in 1970 from Rhode Island College.

Kaprielian was the first to be contacted by the UN in 1994 to head The war Victims Project as a consulting psychologist. The project, funded by the US Department of State selected Kaprielian as the only American to train mental health staff in an active war zone on the Black Sea where he recovered over 200 women in need of PTSD Therapy. He has lectured nationally among academics and students of Women Studies and Domestic Violence and has been the featured scholar and practitioner at international women’s conferences about torture and rehabilitation. Most recently in RI, his state's DCYF, Family Court and International Institute for refugee settlement determined Kaprielian as the choice professional in whose care four children were placed and housed after their mother’s life was taken in an act of DV. With his vast experience, Kaprielian served on the Board of Directors of the Armenian International Women’s Association for a 2-year term. 

Robert Tembeckjian - NY State Commission on Judicial Conduct

Robert H. Tembeckjian, is the Administrator and Counsel at the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The Commission is the independent state agency responsible for reviewing complaints of ethical misconduct against the more than 3,000 judges and justices in the New York Unified Court System. As the Chief Judicial Ethics Enforcement Officer in New York, he runs the day-to-day operations for the commission and leads a team of more than 40 based in New York City, Albany and Rochester. He is also an important leader in the field of judicial ethics having worked for the Commission for more than 40 years.

Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian - Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Boston
(via recorded video)

Rev.Fr. Vasken Kouzouian is Pastor at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, greater Boston area. He received a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston University in 1986. His theological studies began with a two year period of study in the Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia, from 1988-1990, as a guest of H.H. Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians.

In 1994, upon graduation from St. Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminary and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Fr. Vasken received the degree of Master of Divinity. He was ordained Priest

Fr. Vasken is married to Yeretzgin Arpi (Musluyan) of Toronto, Canada. Together they have a daughter, Alina Kouzouian.

Hasmik Burushyan - Community Engagement & Advocacy, YWCA

Hasmik Burushyan is a young practitioner in the not-for-profit sector and supports her communities through community organizing. Currently, she speaks to YWCA Glendale & Pasadena’s mission by serving as their Domestic Violence Outreach & Education Coordinator. She is responsible for the organization’s connection to its communities on bringing consciousness to domestic violence and sharing knowledge on how to prevent gender-based violence. From providing certified training to agencies that are interested in working with survivors/victims of domestic violence to educating local youth about dating abuse prevention, Burushyan is a part of the movement to end domestic violence.

She also owes much of her identity to engaging Diaspora Armenians and showing up for the Armenian Cause. Burushyan has held various roles in several Armenian organizations, such as the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) and Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Burushyan has earned a BA in Political Science from UCLA and is currently exploring opportunities to further her experience in academia.