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Can education about past genocides shape our understanding of how violence occur in today’s world? Can it foster a sense of belonging to a common humanity and empower young people to become active citizens who work globally for peace and human rights? How does learning about such crimes, which profoundly affect the core dignity of human beings, support the objectives of Global Citizenship Education (GCED), a priority of the 2030 Education Agenda?
This paper, commissioned by UNESCO, offers an overview of empirical research on teaching and learning about the Holocaust and how such education may impact leaners’ cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural skills and competencies. It provides insights for educators on how effective lessons about the Holocaust can meet some of the key expected outcomes of Global Citizenship Education (GCED), such as critical thinking skills, attitudes of empathy and solidarity, and motivation to take action to prevent human rights abuses.