International Conference 2010 - Shoah Education and Remembrance

In March 2010, the State of Israel assumed the chairmanship of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research (ITF) (www.holocausttaskforce.org). As Chair of this unique umbrella organization, including twenty-seven member states and another seven nations who are officially associated with this international body, the Israeli delegation is working in close partnership with decision makers, leading specialists in Holocaust education, and scholars to promote the study of the Shoah and its meaning.

In light of recent debates, reports and statements within ITF circles that have sparked many questions surrounding historical narratives, the International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem decided to organize its Seventh International Conference on Holocaust and Education focusing on “Shoah Education and Remembrance in Hindsight and in Foresight: Text and Context,” held on June 12-13, 2010.

This international conference, organized under the auspices of the ITF, was geared for decision makers in the field of education and culture - specifically but not limited to members of ITF delegations - in an effort to gain a deeper perspective on the current challenges of historical memory.

Recommendations stemming from the conference proceedings will be submitted to the ITF December plenary meetings.

World-renowned scholars, philosophers and leaders were invited to take part in panels and sessions that will focus on a number of educational issues, such as:

• What is our responsibility as policy makers and experts in Holocaust education, remembrance and research to uphold the Stockholm Declaration (2000) ten years later?
• How do we commemorate and infuse meaning on various days of Holocaust remembrance on the national and international levels, such as January 27, 27th of the Hebrew Month Nissan and others?
• How do we authorize the teaching about different historical contexts without a competition between the suffering of victims of totalitarianism?
• How is educating about and remembering the Holocaust relevant to young people today who seek to accurately understand what occurred as well as to take responsibility for the truth about the past?