“Transmitting the memory of the Holocaust is a vital part of the struggle to combat ignorance and prejudice through education in humanist values, the sharing of cultures and knowledge of history,” said Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO in a declaration on the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, 27 January. Director General reaffirmed UNESCO’s determination to combat Holocaust denial: “Education is a key front in this struggle and also UNESCO’s unique contribution, through our work for youth, training of teachers and curriculum design”.

To commemorate the 2012 Holocaust Remembrance Day, UNESCO organized and took part in the following events:

Monday, 23 January - French historian Georges Bensoussan addressed Holocaust-related pedagogical challenges in a discussion “Why Teach about the Holocaust and Genocides” at UNESCO’s Regional Bureau for Education in Africa (Dakar, Senegal). The discussion included representatives of civil societies and education ministries of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal and Rwanda. More information on the event and the video conference.

Wednesday, 25 January (18:30, Goethe Institute, Brussels) – UN Cinema organized the projection of the film "The last flight of Petr Ginz”. The film was followed by a Q&A with Marie Paule Roudil, Head of the UNESCO Office in Brussels and Regina Sluszny, Vice-President of The Hidden Child. Further information is on the United Nations Regional Information Centre (UNRIC) website

Friday, 27 January – On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Samuel Pisar was officially appointed UNESCO Honorary Ambassador and Special Envoy for Holocaust Education. Irina Bokova then visited the Shoah Memorial in Paris.

Tuesday, 31 January – UNESCO in partnership with the Shoah Memorial organized a symposium entitled “International Dimensions of Holocaust Education” held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Samuel Pisar, UNESCO Special Envoy for Holocaust Education and Hannah Rosenthal, Hannah Rosenthal, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism for the US Department of State were among the participants. The conference was  followed by a special ceremony under the theme “Children in the Holocaust”. Participants included the Director General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova, Eric de Rothschild (President of the Shoah Memorial), Yehuda Bauer, an Israeli historian and Mr. Henri Borlant, Holocaust survivor. A short film entitled “Hidden Children” by film maker Robert Bober was shown.

Two exhibitions of the of the Shoah Memorial were held: "The Holocaust in Europe" was hosted by UNESCO Dakar and an exhibition entitled "The Righteous of France" was held at UNESCO Headquarters.

“Prevent genocides through education” - the Holocaust seen from Africa International Dimensions of Holocaust Education – the discussion