Lessons from Auschwitz funding renewed

£280,000 renewed funding to Holocaust Educational Trust

Renewed funding for the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project has been confirmed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The funding will continue to provide post-16 students from every school and college in Scotland the opportunity to participate in a one-day visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau and attend seminars to learn about the Holocaust as well as hearing testimony from a survivor.

Signing the Trust’s Book of Commitment in the lead up to Holocaust Memorial Day the FM said: “Last year marked the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. We also commemorated the 20th anniversary of the genocide at Srebrenica. Both anniversaries are a reminder of the consequences that can arise when people are given a license to exploit difference and encourage hatred.

“As we approach the national Holocaust Memorial Day one way of working to ensure that nothing like the Holocaust ever happens again, is to ensure that it is never forgotten. The Holocaust Educational Trust does excellent work in raising awareness among the wider public through the Lessons from Auschwitz Project.

“By learning and reflecting on the horrors of the Holocaust the Trust plays an important part in spurring us on to create a better future and a society where people respect each other no matter what their differences.”

Holocaust Educational Trust Chief Executive Karen Pollock said: “Thousands of Scottish students have visited Auschwitz-Birkenau as part of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project and with this renewed support, many thousands more will be able to have this life-changing experience. We are delighted that the First Minister and the Scottish Government recognise the value of this unique educational programme – with this funding, Holocaust education in Scotland is in safe hands.”

Holocaust Educational Trust Ambassador Brandon Low said: “The Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project is a brilliant way of learning the history of the Holocaust, bringing what would usually be a ‘normal’ lesson at school out of the pages of history and into reality. But I think it is much more than a history lesson, it is a life lesson that every young person in Scotland should have the opportunity to experience. As an Ambassador for the Trust I am absolutely dedicated to keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive in Scotland.”

Chief Executive of Education Scotland Bill Maxwell, said: “The learning opportunities provided by the Holocaust Educational Trust provide a powerful way of ensuring young people are aware of the atrocities that took place at Auschwitz-Birkenau deepening their personal understanding of why we must never allow hatred to flourish in our society.

“I am pleased that the government is continuing to support the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust so that more young people can have these powerful learning experiences, strengthening their commitment to creating a tolerant and just society.”