European Symposium: Establishing a European Teaching Network on Shoah Education

On 15 December 2014, graduates of Yad Vashem International School for Holocaust Studies seminars met in Rome at a special symposium under the banner of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

A joint venture between Yad Vashem and the Italian government, this first-of-its-kind symposium focused on establishing a pan-European teaching network on Shoah education.

During the proceedings, Yad Vashem International Research Institute Senior Historian Dr. David Silberklang presented findings from the latest research into the history of the Holocaust, and the International School's Pedagogical Director Shulamit Imber focused on reinforcing age-appropriate approaches in Holocaust education. In the course of regional round-table discussions, the graduates conferred on how to forge further regional cooperation to promote joint projects.

The participants, about 150 people from all 28 EU member states, included seminar graduates (ie. educators who have participated in Yad Vashem seminars on education) and policy makers and officials from the EU member states, including various ministries of education.

The Yad Vashem International School for Holocaust Studies conducts educational programs and produces educational materials for a wide variety of audiences in Israel and around the world, and is currently active in some 60 countries, and has working relationships with all 28 member states of the EU.

Photo caption: Pictured: Italian Minister of Education, University and Research, Stefania Gianini;  Minister of Education and Religious Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Andreas Loverdos; Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Ambassador of Hungary to Austria, IHRA Head of Delegation; Anna Piperno, Italian Delegation of IHRA and Italian Ministry of Education; Richelle Budd Caplan, Israeli Delegation of IHRA and Director of European Department, Yad Vashem; Renzo Gattegna, UCEI President, Italy.