Between 20-24 October, 2025, the founder of JustHealLab, Dr. Hrag Yacoubian participated in the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) Conference 2025, held at the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre, South Africa. This year’s conference, themed ‘The Challenge of “Never Again”: Engaging with the Protection and Prevention of Genocide,’ aimed to critically assess the advancements, challenges, and possibilities in global efforts to prevent genocide. The conference brought together academics, practitioners, and artists, exploring the legal, social, cultural, and scientific aspects of genocide, mass atrocity, and crimes against humanity.
During the conference, Dr. Hrag Yacoubian presented two of his on-going research studies. The first one focused on‘Oral Histories of Healthcare Workers and Patients During the Blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh: Experiences of Survival and Forced Displacement.’ Within this research study, he and his team in Armenia and Canada investigate the experiences of women healthcare workers and patients during the Azerbaijani wars against ethnic Armenians and the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh starting in December 2022 and their forced displacement to Armenia. Using oral history interviews, the study aims to document how healthcare workers managed severe shortages of essential resources, including food, medicine, and medical supplies, while continuing to provide care under extraordinary conditions. The study examines how healthcare workers adapted to a collapsing healthcare infrastructure and the ethical dilemmas they faced as they prioritized the care of others, often at great personal risk. Similarly, patients’ narratives provide valuable insight into their lived experiences during these events, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the human cost of such crises.
The second presentation featured the ‘Attitudes of Healthcare Students Towards Indigenous Genocide in Canada and the Truth and Reconciliation Committee Calls to Action.’ The research study examines the attitudes, perspectives, and knowledge of healthcare students, including those in nursing, social work, and medicine, towards Indigenous Genocide in Canada and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action. It seeks to reveal how the future healthcare providers understand and engage with the legacies of colonialism and their responsibilities under the TRC’s recommendations, particularly those related to healthcare and education. The current phase of the study focuses specifically on nursing students in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and is critical for understanding the preparedness of healthcare students to address the unique healthcare needs of Indigenous peoples and contribute to reconciliation efforts. By identifying gaps in knowledge and barriers to cultural competence, the study aims to inform educational strategies that foster critical awareness and promote equity in healthcare delivery.
Overall, the conference offered an enriching opportunity to share knowledge and expertise while exploring potential avenues for collaboration. Dr. Yacoubian’s presentations contributed to advancing discussions on both the global prevention of genocide and the role of healthcare in supporting affected communities, highlighting the importance of research-driven approaches to address the existing and emerging challenges.