By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo State College is using the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks to explore the issues that lead to genocide and terrorism in our world.
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Today's observance at Buffalo State traces its roots to 2006 when the college's Theatre Department presented a production of "The Diary of Anne Frank." Department Chair Drew Kahn linked Anne's experiences in World War II with the atrocities that occurred 40 years later in Rwanda. Kahn says the production ignited such passion on campus that he has created the Anne Frank Project, an annual conference that will take place each year on 9/11.
The 2009 Anne Frank Project will feature the stories of survivors of the Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide. Kahn says it's important to have a dialogue on these issues. He says the college campus is the ideal venue.
Kahn notes that this year would have been Anne Frank's 80th birthday, which will make today's celebration of her words of wisdom and hope even more meaningful.