Memorandum of Understanding between the ITF and the Council of Europe

Ambassador Tom Vraalsen, Chairman of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research (ITF) and Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the ITF and the Council of Europe.

For more than ten years the ITF has been dedicated to placing political and social leaders' support behind the need for Holocaust education, remembrance and research both nationally and internationally. This is based on the commitment of its member States to the Declaration of the Stockholm International Forum on the Holocaust.

The CoE, a Permanent Observer of the ITF, ensures respect for fundamental values, such as human rights, democracy and the rule of law, throughout the European continent. It has been involved in Holocaust education and remembrance for over a decade. As a moving spirit behind the establishment of January 27th as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Europe, the CoE continues to undertake a number of activities in the field of Holocaust education and remembrance including the projects 'Teaching Remembrance' and 'History Teaching'.

The purpose of the Memorandum between the CoE and the ITF is to enhance their cooperation on combating antisemitism, xenophobia, hate crimes and other forms of extremism.

This cooperation aims to raise awareness of the importance of Holocaust education and remembrance in the member States of both the ITF and the CoE, including coordination of measures to open national archives, encouraging governments to strengthen Holocaust education in their societies and sharing best practices.

With this Memorandum of Understanding the ITF looks forward to continuing its cooperation with the CoE and to have their experts work closely together.