“Without memory there is no culture. Without memory there would be no civilization, no society, no future.”
Elie Wiesel
In 2005 the United Nations General Assembly designated January 27th to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi’s largest and deadliest concentration camp. It is a day to honour the 6 million Jews who were systematically murdered by the Nazis. We remember and honour other victims: 250,000 people with disabilities, 200,000 Roma people, thousands of gay, lesbian, and gender diverse people, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Black people and political opponents. It is a time to remember and reflect upon the lessons of the Nazi genocide of Jews and the impact on future generations. The UN urged all member states to adopt this day of commemoration and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides.
“We must also go beyond remembrance, and make sure that new generations know this history. We must apply the lessons of the Holocaust to today’s world. And we must do our utmost so that all peoples may enjoy the protection and rights for which the United Nations stands.”
Message by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for the second observance of the Holocaust Victims Memorial Day on 19 January 2008
The Holocaust and its attempt to exterminate European Jewry cannot be relegated to the past. The lessons of the Holocaust reverberate across time and are a prism through which we may find guidance in dealing with the persistence of hatred, prejudice, antisemitism and other forms of racism and discrimination evidenced in the ongoing engagement in dehumanizing discourse.
The consequences of the Holocaust are not in the past. They are with us today. “Never Forget, Never Again,” the post-Holocaust rallying cry expressing optimism that the lessons of the Holocaust would eradicate genocide is at risk of becoming an empty sentiment as the world continues to bear witness to genocides: Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia. Sadly, the list goes on.
Join us today as we echo the words of then President of the United States Barack Obama spoken in an address to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2011:
“We are reminded to remain ever-vigilant against the possibility of genocide, and to ensure that Never Again is not just a phrase but a principled cause” … “And we resolve to stand up against prejudice, stereotyping, and violence – including the scourge of anti-Semitism – around the globe.”
“Never forget” means not only remembering what happened. To avoid the mistakes of the past we must support Holocaust education to promote social justice, human rights and genocide awareness. Remembering provokes reflection and insight into the dangers of remaining silent, apathetic and indifferent to the oppression of others.
Learn More
- Read The Lancet Commission on medicine, Nazism, and the Holocaust: historical evidence, implications for today, teaching for tomorrow. Click here to read.
- Register for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) webinar “An Educational Roadmap from The Lancet Commission on medicine, Nazism, and the Holocaust” taking place on Thursday, January 25th at 9 am PST.
The AAMC will host its third annual virtual event in observance of International Holocaust Day of Remembrance. Members of The Lancet Commission will provide an overview of the Commission on medicine, Nazism, and the Holocaust: historical evidence, implications for today, teaching for tomorrow and its recommendations for educators as well as a look at some new educational initiatives on this topic. This is a free and open event. Click here to register. - Watch the 2023 “It Starts With Us: Contextualizing and Educating about the Holocaust.”
This powerful webinar was developed in partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre as part of the It Starts with Us series through the Faculty of Medicine’s Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Click here to watch.