International Day commemorating victims of the Holocaust Print E-mail
Written by United Nations   
Friday, 12 January 2007
Candle burning at the Buchenwald concentration camp memorial in central Germany
Candle burning at the Buchenwald concentration camp memorial in central Germany

 

On 29 January 2007, the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) will organize the second annual observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, with a ceremony from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters. Madame Simone Veil, President of the Fondation pour la Mémoire de la Shoah and a survivor of the Holocaust, will deliver the keynote address. 

In keeping with the theme of “Remembrance and Beyond”, the observance will focus on the importance of infusing today’s youth with the lessons of the Holocaust, so that future generations may carry the torch of remembrance, and remind the world of the dangers posed by hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice. A university student will speak on the importance of learning about the Holocaust and will share her experiences visiting Holocaust sites in Poland as part of the March of Remembrance and Hope programme.

The memorial event will also focus on the disabled community as one of the many victim groups of the Nazi regime.  It will highlight the importance of education in promoting tolerance and ending discrimination against all minorities, particularly in light of the adoption by the General Assembly on 13 December 2006 of the landmark Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.A musical performance will be given by HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Chamber Choir, a project of the Zamir Choral Foundation, founded and directed by Matthew Lazar.

DPI will also launch a new website and resource for UN Member States, educators and NGOs titled, "Electronic Notes for Speakers".  The site, developed for the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme by Yad Vashem and the Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education, provides survivor testimony and information materials that will equip speakers with the tools needed to conduct effective briefings on the Holocaust, and lessons to be learned from it.  The French version has been developed by the Mémorial de la Shoah.

his observance is being organized by DPI’s Holocaust and the United Nations outreach programme, created in the context of General Assembly resolution 60/7 in order to help to prevent future acts of genocide.  It will also be webcast live at www.un.org/webcast.

In addition, DPI will hold two exhibits in the United Nations Visitors’ Lobby in connection with the International Day.  The first, entitled “The Holocaust Against the Sinti and Roma and Present Day Racism in Europe”, will focus on the experience of the Roma and Sinti during the Holocaust.  A second exhibit will feature artwork, created by Holocaust survivors, exploring the meaning and experience of the Holocaust.  

For more information visit: http://www.un.org/holocaustremembrance/