Pouring Salt on Old Wounds : Psychological Impact of the Protocols

Pouring Salt on Old WoundsPouring Salt on Old Wounds: : Psychological Impact of the Psychological Impact of the

ProtocolsProtocols

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UnitedUnitedNationsNations

WorldwideWorldwideNetwork forNetwork for

GenderGenderEmpowermentEmpowerment

(WNGE)(WNGE)

AmericanAmericanPsychologicalPsychologicalAssociationAssociationDivision 52Division 52

Armenian Armenian American SocietyAmerican Society

For StudiesFor Studieson Stress &on Stress &GenocideGenocide(AASSSG)(AASSSG)

AssociationAssociationFor TraumaFor Trauma

OutreachOutreach& Prevention& Prevention

(ATOP)(ATOP)

Meaningful Meaningful WorldWorld

AssociationAssociationforfor

SpiritualitySpiritualityandand

PsychotherapyPsychotherapy

Nursing EducationNursing EducationAlumni AssociationAlumni Association

of Teacher’sof Teacher’sCollegeCollege

Human DignityHuman Dignityand Humiliationand HumiliationStudies of TC-Studies of TC-

ColumbiaColumbiaUniversityUniversity

Global SocietyGlobal Societyfor Nursingfor Nursingand Healthand Health

Peace X PeacePeace X Peace

One by OneOne by One

22www.meaningfulworld.comwww.meaningfulworld.com

Policy Forum Armenia Armenia – Diaspora Relations: 20 years after

Independence

Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Turkey signed Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Turkey signed two protocols on Oct 10, 2009. two protocols on Oct 10, 2009.

Signing of protocols raised demonstrations in Signing of protocols raised demonstrations in Diaspora.Diaspora.

Yerevan’s assistance in signing deepens the Yerevan’s assistance in signing deepens the conflict.conflict.

Opposition in Armenia, while oppositions to Opposition in Armenia, while oppositions to protocols from previous elections. protocols from previous elections.


The Real Purpose of the Protocols

Due to change in the U.S. government, Turkey’s Due to change in the U.S. government, Turkey’s leaders changed strategy in addressing the leaders changed strategy in addressing the Armenian Genocide, in the form of Protocols Armenian Genocide, in the form of Protocols (form of discussion).(form of discussion).

As a result, Ankara, uses them to help manage As a result, Ankara, uses them to help manage the tension between the U.S. and Turkey.the tension between the U.S. and Turkey.


Conditions Presented In Protocol

The following items and clauses of the Protocols The following items and clauses of the Protocols are to be disputed:are to be disputed: Armenia will no longer have the right to negotiate for Armenia will no longer have the right to negotiate for

Karabakh. Under international law, the region of Karabakh. Under international law, the region of Karabakh is currently, legally part of Azerbaijan territoryKarabakh is currently, legally part of Azerbaijan territory

Armenia will no longer have the right to raise concerns Armenia will no longer have the right to raise concerns about the possible abuse of Armenian cultural about the possible abuse of Armenian cultural patrimony in Turkey and as part of its claims in relation patrimony in Turkey and as part of its claims in relation to its historical properties. It is indirect to its historical properties. It is indirect acknowledgement of the effective legislation applied by acknowledgement of the effective legislation applied by Turkey since the events of 1915 to render ineffective Turkey since the events of 1915 to render ineffective any claim on such propertiesany claim on such properties


Genocide of the Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians

Armenians being driven out of their towns & Armenians being driven out of their towns & villages in Anatolia in 1915.villages in Anatolia in 1915.


ATOP Mission to Armenia

From 17-28 November 2009, ATOP traveled to From 17-28 November 2009, ATOP traveled to Armenia to conduct trainings on empowerment and Armenia to conduct trainings on empowerment and forgiveness.forgiveness.

While in Armenia, While in Armenia, questionnaires were questionnaires were distributed distributed assessing assessing Armenians’ Armenians’ emotional reactions emotional reactions and opinions and opinions regarding the regarding the protocols.protocols. 77www.meaningfulworld.comwww.meaningfulworld.com

ATOP Survey Results

(Kalayjian & De Mucci, 2009)(Kalayjian & De Mucci, 2009) 88www.meaningfulworld.comwww.meaningfulworld.com

ATOP Survey Results (cont’d)

99www.meaningfulworld.comwww.meaningfulworld.com(Kalayjian & De Mucci, 2009)(Kalayjian & De Mucci, 2009)

ATOP Survey Results (cont’d)


Armenian discontent:In their own words…

““There can be no relations until Genocide is There can be no relations until Genocide is recognized. It is not up for discussion: it is a recognized. It is not up for discussion: it is a FACT.” FACT.”

““I feel worry and fear that our needs will be I feel worry and fear that our needs will be sacrificed.” sacrificed.”


Hope amidst discontent…

25.9% of Armenians reported feeling hopeful 25.9% of Armenians reported feeling hopeful despite their disagreements regarding conditions despite their disagreements regarding conditions in the Protocols.in the Protocols.

““Opening borders without conditions would result Opening borders without conditions would result in economic prosperity for both our countries. I in economic prosperity for both our countries. I have feelings of hope for a prosperous future.”have feelings of hope for a prosperous future.”


Recent Events…

January 12January 12thth Armenia’s constitutional court Armenia’s constitutional court ruling angers Turkey.ruling angers Turkey.

Turkey accuses Armenia of contradicting the Turkey accuses Armenia of contradicting the already agreed upon accords. already agreed upon accords.

Sarksyan has stated he will formally submit the Sarksyan has stated he will formally submit the protocols to Parliament despite Turkey’s efforts protocols to Parliament despite Turkey’s efforts to “distort the deal.”to “distort the deal.”


Ratification???

Despite efforts for normalization through opening Despite efforts for normalization through opening borders between the nations, reconciliation and borders between the nations, reconciliation and acknowledgement is first necessary for true acknowledgement is first necessary for true diplomatic relations to be reached.diplomatic relations to be reached.


Psychological Support…

The psychological impact of the protocols upon The psychological impact of the protocols upon the Armenians is magnified due to generationally the Armenians is magnified due to generationally transmitted pain, anger and suffering, which is yet transmitted pain, anger and suffering, which is yet to be acknowledged by the perpetrators.to be acknowledged by the perpetrators.

Utilize 7-step Biopsychosocial and Eco-Spiritual Utilize 7-step Biopsychosocial and Eco-Spiritual Model created by Dr. Kalayjian to transform Model created by Dr. Kalayjian to transform generational transmission of trauma.generational transmission of trauma.


Seven-Step Biopsychosocial, and Eco- Spiritual Model

1. Assess levels of distress/trauma/anger. 1. Assess levels of distress/trauma/anger. 2. Encourage discovery of memories & 2. Encourage discovery of memories &

expression of feelings, catharsis. expression of feelings, catharsis. 3. Provide empathy and validation. 3. Provide empathy and validation. 4. Encourage discovery and expression of 4. Encourage discovery and expression of

positive meaning/ lessons learned.positive meaning/ lessons learned.5. Provide didactic information.5. Provide didactic information.6. Being mindful of Mother Nature & Gaia.6. Being mindful of Mother Nature & Gaia.7. Physical release & diaphragmatic breathing 7. Physical release & diaphragmatic breathing

and chakra balancing.and chakra balancing.

Kalayjian, A. 1990, Revised in 2008Kalayjian, A. 1990, Revised in 20081616www.meaningfulworld.comwww.meaningfulworld.com

In all your deliberations be mindful of your In all your deliberations be mindful of your actions on the next seven generations.actions on the next seven generations.


~ end ~~ end ~Thank you!Thank you!

Jennifer De Mucci, M.A.Jennifer De Mucci, M.A.

Association for Trauma Outreach and PreventionAssociation for Trauma Outreach and Prevention

Young Professionals Forum: Armenia-Disapora RelationsYoung Professionals Forum: Armenia-Disapora Relations


Georgetown University, Washington, DC, March 1, 2010Georgetown University, Washington, DC, March 1, 2010

Pouring Salt on Old Wounds : Psychological Impact of the Protocols

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