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16 February 2024 - Last update: 21 February 2024

UNESCO New Delhi, in partnership with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), conducted workshops exploring the history of Holocaust with various schools to commemorate the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, from 29 to 31 January 2024. These training workshops involved more than 500 educators and students from over 300 Central Board of Secondary Education schools across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Through these workshops, participants were equipped with the knowledge and pedagogical approaches to construct defenses against hate speech and discrimination. This comprehensive approach becomes a pivotal step towards shaping a future where the profound lessons of history actively contribute to a more compassionate society. 

The workshop not only discussed the importance of Holocaust education but provided tangible resources. UNESCO's Holocaust Education Guide for Indian teachers was launched as a valuable tool, offering insights on incorporating these lessons into classroom discussions.

UNESCO New Delhi

The essence of this workshop extended beyond being a mere platform for discussion; it served as a compelling call to action. Through fostering meaningful conversations and drawing lessons from history, educators are positioned as catalysts for transformative change. The overarching goal is clear: to empower individuals to stand against misinformation, extremism, and hate speech. 

As part of this collaborative effort with the CBSE, various other activities were also conducted. India's dedication to inclusive education, as outlined in the National Educational Policy 2020, provided an ideal foundation for Holocaust and Global Citizenship education programs.

As the Holocaust recedes in time, the forces of racial and religious intolerance, as well as discrimination and hate speech pose new challenges to global civilizational values, thereby running the risk of repetition of the crimes of the past.

UNESCO New Delhi

In this context, Holocaust education emerges as a powerful tool, breaking down ignorance and fostering understanding and empathy. Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the perspectives of youth, empowering individuals to question, critically reflect, and stand against the root causes of hate speech and discrimination.

Through an integrated approach that combines global citizenship and Holocaust education, the initiative aspires to cultivate a generation that embodies the core values of empathy, tolerance, and a collective commitment to creating a world free from prejudice and discrimination.

This commitment finds resonance in the International Programme on Holocaust and Genocide Education (IPHGE) - a collaborative effort spearheaded by UNESCO and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM).

Observed on 27 January each year, the International Holocaust Remembrance Day stands as a solemn tribute to the millions who perished in the Holocaust. The day symbolizes an unwavering commitment to the phrase "Never Again," as an essential reminder of the horrors that unfolded in Nazi concentration camps.

URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/nurturing-global-citizens-through-holocaust-education-india