The Armenian National Institute (ANI) is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to the study, research, and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

ANI is founded upon the following principles. Keeping memory alive is imperative. Crimes against humanity must not be forgotten. Past genocides must be confronted and acknowledged to prevent future genocides.

To meet this commitment ANI is engaged in a full-time concentrated effort to integrate the lessons of the Armenian Genocide into the universal understanding of the problem of genocide.

Institute Objectives

• To promote understanding of the Armenian Genocide through research, analysis, publication, and public forums.
• To collect and organize documentation attesting to and preserving the memory of the Armenian Genocide.
• To increase public awareness of the crime, and denial, of genocide and their lasting effect in our times.

ANI History

Founded in 1997 with an initial grant of $1 million from Hirair Hovnanian, the Armenian National Institute (ANI) is an independent 501(c)3 charity based in Washington, DC, which established itself as the leading resource dedicated to the study, research, and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

ANI is overseen by a Board of Governors whose members include Hirair Hovnanian, Carolyn Mugar, Anoush Mathevosian, Annie Totah, Bianka Kadian-Dodov (treasurer), and has been chaired by Aram Kaloosdian (1997-2010) and Van Z. Krikorian (2011-present)

By working with educators, scholars, journalists, and public figures, ANI has encouraged recognition of the Armenian Genocide around the world. Through conferences, documentation projects, publications, instructional materials, and in coordination with parallel institutions dedicated to the prevention of genocide, ANI has confronted the problem of denial and promoted the protection of human rights. Proceedings of its major conference convened together with the Library of Congress and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2000 were edited by Yale University professor Jay Winter and published by Cambridge University Press under the title "America and the Armenian Genocide."

With its extensive archival holdings from American, British, French, Vatican, and other official repositories, and its extensive reference library, including special collections such as Ambassador Morgenthau's books, ANI has secured a distinguished record as the leading resource on the Armenian Genocide in the nation's capital. Advised by an Academic Council composed of leading authorities on Armenia and the Armenian Genocide, including Richard Hovannisian (UCLA), Peter Balakian (Colgate), Robert Melson (Purdue), Roger Smith (William & Mary), Christopher Simpson (American U), William Parsons (USHMM), Claire Mouradian (NSRC Paris), and with Rouben Adalian serving as its director, ANI cooperates with academic researchers, media investigators, and governmental organizations to elevate awareness of the Armenian Genocide.

ANI also maintains a widely-consulted website on the Armenian Genocide containing detailed information about the status of recognition internationally, including records of recognition by the governments of 32 countries and 50 U.S. states. The website, which has been accessed by viewers in over 100 countries, also holds important articles from mainstream media reporting about ongoing efforts to achieve universal affirmation, curricula specifically developed for classroom use, a growing inventory of memorials to the Genocide in the Diaspora and Armenia, as well as numerous sample historic and archival records attesting to the fate of the Armenian people in 1915.