News

SYDNEY: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) and the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia (AYF Australia) will support Darfur Australia Network (DAN) at the 5km ‘Run for Darfur’ event on Saturday, 13th June at the Penrith Regatta Centre.

Organisers expect to see hundreds of volunteers come together to raise awareness and funds for the victims of the Genocide taking place today in Darfur. ANC Australia and AYF Australia, lead by the Armenian-Australian community, will participate in the event with a team of 20 under the slogan ‘END THE CYCLE OF GENOCIDE’.

As the conflict in Darfur enters its seventh year, conditions for the civilians continue to deteriorate. It is estimated that the Genocide in Darfur has been responsible for 400,000 lives and created 3million refugees who have been forced to flee their homes to escape the impending danger.

ANC Australia and AYF Australia are encouraging all Armenian-Australians to help support the efforts of the Darfur Australia Network in the Run for Darfur initiative, and through their participation and sponsorship, raise awareness and funds to aid refugees and victims of the Genocide in Darfur.

ANC Australia President, Mr Varant Meguerditchian said: “As victims and survivors of the first genocide of the 20th century we have a moral responsibility to ensure that such crimes are never again allowed to be repeated. By participating, we Armenians, will raise awareness as a measure toward prevention.”

He added: “While perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide remain unrepentant and the world remains silent, we will continue to witness the cycle of genocide.”

At the ‘Run for Darfur’, Armenian-Australian participants will sport t-shirts with the message ‘END THE CYCLE OF GENOCIDE’.

“The t-shirts are a visual means of spreading our message to all those unaware of the atrocities of genocide,” commented Stephen Abolakian, ANC Australia’s Community Relations Officer. “Prevention is our key message and we stand by the Darfur Australia Network in seeking to end the cycle of genocide.”

EVENT DETAILS
Where:        Penrith Regatta Centre
When:         Saturday 13th June 2009, 10am-1pm
Description:  5km casual walk/run

To join ANC Australia and AYF Australia in the ‘Run for Darfur’, email your full name and contact information to info@anc.org.au.