TORONTO, January 27, 2016 /CNW/–The CRRF emphasizes the importance of education and ongoing dialogue as it commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the liberation of the death camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Over 1.1 million people were murdered in the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps alone, the vast majority of whom were Jews. The theme for 2016 is The Holocaust and Human Dignity.
“Education about the atrocities committed during the Holocaust is a key component of human rights education. Putting human rights into practice is, in turn, key to ensuring that the destruction of humans and human dignity as experienced throughout the Holocaust never happens again," said Anita Bromberg, Executive Director, CRRF.
“Learning about the precursors, the ideology, the hatred that led to the Holocaust will help us recognize the conditions and context in which the seeds of such evil are allowed to fester," Bromberg continued. “The CRRF has a number of relevant educational initiatives. We are particularly proud to join with Voices into Action, an initiative of FAST (Fighting Antisemitism Together) to teach students about the strengths accruing from a greater appreciation of identity, belonging and human rights."
Voices into Action is an online curriculum-based educational resource dedicated to providing students with access to information on issues regarding human rights, prejudice and hatred. The CRRF unit, Our Canada: Exploring Canadian Values, available in French and English, is now set to be launched.
“It is the responsibility of all Canadians to ensure that the enduring lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten and that the human dignity of all is honoured, " commented Albert Lo, Chairperson, CRRF. “The incredible and inspirational stories of Holocaust survivors must be preserved and shared with future generations."
Albert Lo was instrumental in the vision and development of the CRRF’s Our Canada project, which includes 150 Stories, a collection of stories – one story every week for 150 weeks – celebrating and leading up to Canada’s sesquicentennial in 2017. The collection includes stories by and about Holocaust survivors who have made their home in Canada.
For further information
CRRF Executive Director: Anita Bromberg, 416-508-9033
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