ArmInfo. One of the most effective ways to counter Turkish denial and Turkey's new initiative is to institutionalize the study of the Armenian Genocide in the academic community. Taner Akcam Turkish historian and sociologist, faculty member of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota, expressed such an opinion.
On June 23, it became known that the Turkish Supreme Advisory Council, during a meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, decided to create a special "autonomous and civil new structure" that will respond to statements about the Armenian Genocide and will work on developing a decriminalization strategy. The Turkish President accepted the proposals of the participants of the videoconferencing and ordered to create an independent body, which will deal specifically with the denial of the Armenian Genocide.
Thus, the Turkish historian, referring to this initiative, stated with regret the bitter truth regarding the fact that today in North America there is not a single research center or academic program at the university that would deal exclusively or directly with the Armenian Genocide or was created for this purpose. Meanwhile, Akcam continued, there are about 250 Holocaust programs in American universities, some of which are research institutes.
According to the Turkish publicist against this background, the fact of the absence of such institutions that would deal with the issue of the Armenian Genocide is more than obvious and bitter.
"Let me emphasize once again: except for the selfless and invaluable efforts of various independent and civilian organizations of Armenia and individual scholars who make a valuable contribution to Armenology, including the study of the Armenian Genocide, there is no institutionalization in the American academic circles in this area, and there is a relative lack of research and the study of this issue. The biggest problem for the further development of this area is the lack of institutional structures in American universities, " Akcam said.
At the same time, the historian added that in recent years he has dwelled on this issue in detail at various sites and argued for the need to "institutionalize" the studies of the Armenian Genocide.
"I emphasized the impossibility of responding effectively to the large-scale and well-funded Turkish" industry of denial "without the proper competing organizations or institutions. It would be foolish to assume that the fact that we have the historical truth about these events will be decisive and victorious in the long run." , the Turkish historian noted, adding that to this day his efforts to create such a structure have been futile.
At the same time, he expressed the hope that this latest initiative of the Turkish government will be the alarming signal that will allow others to realize the critical importance of this issue. In conclusion, Akcam expressed hope that the actions of Ankara will somehow lead to the actualization of this issue and force to awaken the concerned people.