Creative ways to strengthen Holocaust education and commemoration among youth discussed at ODIHR event

Creative approaches that harness the power of technology and the arts can strengthen youth engagement in Holocaust education and commemoration activities, agreed participants in an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 29 September 2022. The event was held on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, organized by the Polish 2022 OSCE Chairman-in-Office (CiO) with the support of ODIHR.

“During the Holocaust, music was a way for people to express their humanity in inhuman conditions,” said Blandine Smilansky, Head of Communications and Partnerships at the House of European History, an initiative of the European Parliament. “Today, music and other forms of creative expression can act as a compelling reminder and reflection of their suffering and yearning for freedom.”

During the event, ODIHR launched the seventh edition of its Holocaust Memorial Days: An overview of remembrance and education in the OSCE region. The publication provides information on when, where and how OSCE participating States promote the commemoration and study of the Holocaust, including the genocide of Roma and Sinti, in line with their commitments.

The event brought together around 40 experts and practitioners from across the OSCE region to identify trends and highlight good practice examples shared with ODIHR by the 45 States that contributed to the publication. Rabbi Andrew Baker, the Personal Representative of the OSCE CiO on Combating Anti-Semitism, provided closing remarks.

Participants concluded that innovative approaches – such as virtual museum visits, recorded survivor testimonies and performing music connected to the Holocaust – can effectively enhance youth engagement in Holocaust education and commemoration.