Armenian, Assyrian, Greek Genocides Added to Australian School Curriculum

SYDNEY — In a landmark decision, the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) has unveiled the final History Syllabus for Years 7 to 10, which, for the first time, mandates the study of Australia’s civic and humanitarian response during World War I, including actions related to the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek genocides.

Beginning in 2027, students across NSW will explore the pivotal role of Australians and New Zealanders in rescuing survivors of the Ottoman Empire’s atrocities against these communities during and after the Great War. This initiative marks a significant milestone in Holocaust and genocide education and was enthusiastically endorsed by the Joint Justice Initiative (JJI), encompassing key community groups such as the Armenian National Committee of Australia.

The new curriculum addition is part of a larger educational narrative titled “Australia: Making a Nation – From Federation to WWI (1889 – c. 1919).” It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of significant groups, individuals, beliefs, and events during this transformative historical period.

The Armenian National Committee of Australia received confirmation of this educational breakthrough in a formal communication from the Minister for Education, the Hon. Prue Car MP, prior to the curriculum’s public announcement. This inclusion follows a unanimous motion by the NSW Legislative Council advocating for mandated education on the genocides and the establishment of a dedicated museum. It was also backed by a letter from over 25 academics urging curriculum incorporation.

Since 2020, the JJI, representing Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek communities in Australia, has been striving for national acknowledgment of the genocides against these Indigenous groups in Anatolia and Mesopotamia. Executive Director Michael Kolokossian of the Armenian National Committee of Australia heralded the decision as a pivotal moment for awareness and education, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past to combat future atrocities.

The efforts leading to this inclusion have heavily relied on scholarly contributions, notably by Professor Peter Stanley and Vicken Babkenian, who documented Australia’s connection to the region through works like “Australia-Armenia & the Great War.” Their research has been instrumental in illustrating the humanitarian endeavors by Australians during this dark chapter of history.

The JJI and the Australian Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (AIHGS) are now focused on developing educational resources to support teachers and students ahead of the 2027 implementation.