Learning from the past to prevent future genocides

OWN CORRESPONDENT

The event was held in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Babi Yar Massacre where 33 000 Jewish men, women and children were murdered at Babi Yar, near Kiev in the Ukraine on September 29 and 30, 1941.

It was organised by the “Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme” which encourages Holocaust education and remembrance to help prevent genocide, in partnership with the Permanent Missions of Ukraine and Israel.

The Massacre was one of the largest mass killings at an individual location during the Second World War. It is estimated that some 100 000 people, including Jews, Roma, communists and Soviet prisoners were murdered at Babi Yar between 1941 and 1945.

Holocaust experts and scholars from Brazil (Carlos Reiss), Japan (Fumiko Ishioka), Israel (Eyal Kaminka), United States (Michael Abramowitz), Ukraine (Igor Shchupak) and South Africa (Tali Nates), discussed the relationship between Holocaust remembrance, public memory and education in their own countries.

Each panellist was asked to present a virtual tour of their institution and speak about an education programme that was particularly useful to youth in learning about the Holocaust.

Nates spoke about the education programmes of the three centres of the South African Holocaust and Genocide Foundation. She highlighted the exciting development of the recently completed Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre and discussed the symbolism of the unique building with its railway line façade.

Over 400 people were in attendance and reflected on the commitment to learn about the past and prevent genocide in the future.