Zoryan Institute launches Levonty Kazarian Award for Genocide Studies

(Photo: Unseen Studio)

TORONTOHYE—The Zoryan Institute has announced the creation of the Levonty Kazarian Award for Genocide Studies, an initiative established in memory of Levonty Kazarian. According to a press statement released by the Institute on May 11, the award was made possible through an endowment from Dr. Shahe Kazarian in loving memory of his wife. This newly established annual award will be presented to a high school student in Grades 9-12 who is selected as the winner of an essay contest judged by the editors of Genocide Studies International (GSI).

The recipient of the Levonty Kazarian Genocide Studies Award will receive a $1,000 CAD cash prize, and their winning essay will be published in an upcoming issue of GSI, which is published by the University of Toronto Press. The Institute noted that for a high school student, obtaining a publication in such a respected academic forum opens the door to new academic possibilities and encourages continued scholarship in this field.

The Institute established this award in appreciation of Levonty Kazarian's extraordinary legacy of service and leadership, which reflects the values of justice the Institute seeks to uphold. As a firm believer in social justice, Kazarian touched countless lives through her efforts to address domestic violence, her advocacy for culturally informed health care services, her championing of racially fair, discrimination-free employment opportunities for immigrants and refugees, and her ardent support of the arts. The Institute is honoured to celebrate her memory through this annual initiative, which aims to inspire future generations committed to justice, education, and human rights.

President of the Zoryan Institute, Mr. Greg Sarkissian, expressed his gratitude to Dr. Kazarian for the initiative in helping to create a lasting tribute to strengthen genocide and human rights education for years to come. "While I did not have the privilege of knowing Levonty Kazarian personally, it is evident that her legacy has touched several lives, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew her. Through this award, her legacy will continue by encouraging young people to embrace the spirit of helping others, and also to engage thoughtfully in human rights praxis and education," Sarkissian stated.

Applications for the 2026-2027 Student Essay Contest will open on September 8, 2026. Submissions will be reviewed by the editors of Genocide Studies International, with the winning piece selected in April 2027 during Genocide Awareness Month. To learn more, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Zoryan Institute website.