International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Every year around 27 January, UNESCO pays tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and reaffirms its commitment to counter antisemitism, racism and all other forms of intolerance that may lead to group targeted violence. 27 January marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi German Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Soviet troops in 1945 and was officially proclaimed International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust by the United Nations General Assembly. This year’s International Day is placed under the theme “Educating for a Better Future: The Role of Historical Sites and Museums in Holocaust Education”.

Those who deny or relativize the crimes of the Holocaust seek to perpetuate the causes of genocide and to revive violence. Education remains the last bastion to protect us against this threat, and this is where UNESCO’s mission takes on its full significance.   Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General

UNESCO encourages Member States to develop programmes that strengthen a culture of prevention and foster understanding of the causes and consequences of the Holocaust and how genocide can happen so that young people become more aware of the processes that can lead societies to descend into violence.

The Organization supports education stakeholders in their efforts to educate about the Holocaust as a means to foster the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will help learners become critical thinkers, responsible and active global citizens who value human dignity and respect for all, reject antisemitism, racism and other forms of prejudice that can lead to group-targeted violence and genocide.

http://www.unesco.org/new/in-memory-of-the-victims-of-the-holocaust