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Edition 06/2024 |
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Dear Readers,
It's all happening this coming weekend: The European elections are about to start. Over 350 million Europeans will vote for a new Parliament. A lot is at stake!
The pillars of the European Union are threatened by right-wing extremist and populist movements that stir up anti-democratic, nationalist and racist resentments and incite hatred against minorities. Candidates from these parties do not even refrain from relativizing National Socialist crimes.
So let us be even more resolute and courageous in our commitment to a strong, just and democratic Europe! In this newsletter you will read about the options available to you apart from a well-considered cross on the ballot paper. Our projects and European partners, for example, are fighting with great commitment and against fierce opposition for a democratic future and for the protection of minorities.
Others are raising their voices against restrictive laws, such as Giorgi Kikalishvili, Director of the Georgian NGO Droni. What impact does the Georgian "foreign agent" law have on civil society? We spoke to Droni employees about the latest developments on the ground.
A careful look at history allows us to identify problems in the present. What does knowledge of the Porajmos mean for the fight against antigypsyism today? A new study from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina gives us some answers.
You can also now find out how European universities deal with antisemitic hate speech, and why the rights of LGBTIQ people have become a marker to indicate the degree to which freedom and democracy are under threat across Europe.
Use your voice and get involved with us!
Dr. Andrea Despot CEO of the EVZ Foundation
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CULTURE OF REMEMBRANCE
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The War and its Victims
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June 22 marks the anniversary of the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. In an outstanding storytelling documentary created as part of our Educational Agenda NS-Injustice program, the online platform dekoder sheds light on the dimensions of the German war of extermination against the Soviet Union. In this documentary, ten selected stories and biographies serve as examples of the more than 27 million Soviet victims of the war.
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Take a look at the documentary series now
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SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
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Vidnova Storyline
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"Vidnova was [...] an important step for me: it helped me to keep at least a part of my identity", says Daryna Dmytriievska about the Vidnova Fellowship. Vidnova has been supporting Ukrainian activists financially and by mentoring since May 2022. Thanks in part to the EVZ Foundation's Solidarity Budget, the Commit by MitOst fellowship has been able to get off the ground and make its contribution to Ukrainians who have been forced to go abroad. Numerous Fellows have been able to continue their work for civil society from their place in exile and some have been able to return to Ukraine. Find out more about the results and future options of the project!
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Find out about the "Vidnova Storyline" now
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#WatchOutHstry
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20 years of the museum at the Belzec Memorial Site
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More than 440,000 Jews were murdered by German occupying forces in the Belzec extermination camp within just a few months. Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka - the places of murder of "Aktion Reinhardt" nevertheless remained in the shadows of the memory of the Holocaust in Poland for a long time. A memorial was only erected in Bełżec in 1965. It was followed by an on-site museum exactly 20 years ago. How are the exhibitions on the grounds of the former extermination camps perceived by visitors? What significance do they have now? An international conference with experts dedicated to these questions will take place at the Museum Belzec on June 4 and 5!
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Participate online now
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We were shocked to hear of the death of Ivan Ivanji. Our colleagues were able to meet him on May 8 at the opening of the new museum "Forced Labor Under National Socialism" in Weimar. Ivan Ivanji was enthusiastic about the exhibition on NS forced labor: "I have never seen a better museum," said the 95-year-old. He shared the hope that young people would learn from his fate and create a better future. Ivan Ivanji passed away on May 9. He frequently traveled from Belgrade to Weimar to report on the National Socialist terror at the site and to read from his numerous books as a writer.
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YOUNG PEOPLE remember international
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Set-Up Labs: Qualification for educators
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Our YOUNG PEOPLE remember international program, which is funded by the Federal Foreign Office, focuses on transnational learning at historical sites of National Socialist persecution and extermination as well as questions of European culture(s) of remembrance. It is essential to establish international and interdisciplinary partnerships on an equal footing. Educators will be trained in workshops to develop and implement their own highly effective educational projects. Please note: Registration deadlines are approaching. Register today!
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Get informed and participate
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SELF-ORGANIZATIONS
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Remembering the Porajmos
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What is the role of remembrance and knowledge of the Romani genocide have in the fight against antigypsyism today? The study " Roma in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina: Local Histories and Memories of World War II", funded by the EVZ Foundation, sheds light on the lack of knowledge about the mass murder committed by Germans - both within the majority society and the Roma community. With the help of numerous interviews with historical eyewitnesses, memories are passed on that are essential for self-organized commitment and participation. The study is part of the project "Remember the Holocaust - Fight Antigypsyism", which is both historically aware and relevant to the present day and has been developed in cooperation with the Roma Forum of Serbia, the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma as well as the "Otaharin" Center.
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Read now
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HUMAN RIGHTS
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Rainbow Map: LGBTIQ rights in Europe
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ILGA-Europe, a partner of the EVZ Foundation, has been working for years on the legal and political conditions and different realities of life for LGBTIQ people in European countries. Criteria such as equality, family, hate crimes, legal recognition, physical integrity, space for civil society and asylum play a key role here. One result of ILGA's empirically based and brand new Rainbow Europe Map 2024: As Europe heads towards key elections, the rights of LGBTIQ people have become a marker of the degree to which freedom and democracy are under threat in the face of the rise of extreme right-wing forces.
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Discover the Rainbow Map and analysis now
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The countdown has started... The ball will be rolling in a few days! The EURO 2024 Men’s football tournament begins. The winning team will be determined in 51 matches up to the final on July 14 in Berlin. For all those who are eagerly awaiting the kick-off as well as all those who don't care about this event, we have an idea: Take a look at our social media channels over the next few weeks! You'll see how many pioneering educational projects are using the excitement of football to teach people about the history of National Socialism, forced labour and the culture of remembrance.
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The photo shows Federal Ministers Annalena Baerbock and Lisa Paus and Minister of State Claudia Roth with visitors to the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum in Oranienburg. During the visit to the Memorial, the ministers discussed the federal program "YOUNG PEOPLE remember" and its projects and talked to both the young participants and memorial staff. One thing became clear: The support for educational work on the National Socialist era and the Holocaust should continue and expand! A strong signal that historical awareness is now more important than ever.
At this point: Many thanks for the numerous applications for the new "YOUNG PEOPLE remember commited" funding line! We are pleased to hear about great self-organized youth projects, memorial sites and history initiatives in Germany that intend to involve young people in the planning and implementation of culture-of-remembrance projects. Look out: Apply now up to June 20 for the "YOUNG PEOPLE remember on site" funding line! |
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Find out more now |
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Giorgi Kikalishvili, Director of Droni |
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Mr. Kikalishvili, the Georgian Parliament recently passed the “foreign agent” law. How will it affect Georgian civil society and younger generations in the coming years?
The “foreign agent” law creates an atmosphere of insecurity, limiting innovation and creativity, and makes it difficult to voice needs, assess situations and suggest solutions to political decision makers. Georgia has a robust civil society, which, despite facing criticism by the government, consistently proposes constructive solutions. With this law, we fear losing both the critical voices and the innovative solutions we were able to present so far. Clearly, our freedom of expression is at risk. […] For example, we have already observed attempts to label our initiatives as foreign influence, which undermines our credibility and threatens our ability to operate effectively. The law could lead to blackmail and threats against organisations that contribute to social welfare in the community, as seen in other countries with similar legislation. The civilized world, including key allies and partners of Georgia, have expressed strong opposition to this law. International organisations and European institutions have warned that such legislation distances Georgia from the European Union, undermining our aspirations for European integration. This law goes against the very principles of democracy, transparency, and human rights that the EU stands for. Therefore, it is not just a national issue but a significant setback in our journey towards European integration. |
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Read the full interview now |
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The massive increase in antisemitic crimes in Europe speaks for itself. Violent attacks are also happening in universities. Jewish students do not feel safe; they complain about a lack of empathy and the feeling of being abandoned. What do those affected experience? How are European universities addressing this situation? Do we need more repression or prevention? What are the possibilities for dialog? On May 6, the German-Israeli historian Prof. Dr. Dan Diner and Hanna Veiler, President of the Jewish Student Union of Germany (JSUD), discussed historical ruptures and lines of continuity in a moderated discussion and talked about experiences. In short interviews, those affected also reported on social exclusion and universities as unsafe places.
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DUZ.DE |
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Has the culture of remembrance failed? |
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Has the culture of remembrance, learning from history, failed in the face of the appalling verbal and physical violence against Jews? Do we need to question our approaches to historical-political education? Joseph Wilson, a specialist advisor at the EVZ Foundation, addresses these questions in an article for the DUZ. One answer: Education also has to take place outside of schools and memorial sites. |
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Read now |
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JÜDISCHE ALLGEMEINE |
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National socialist era: Nearly 10,000 Jewish letters of petition to the Vatican |
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The Jüdische Allgemeine reports on the latest research results of the Asking the Pope for Help project funded by the EVZ Foundation. Researchers at the University of Münster are working on the recently opened documents in the Vatican Archives on Pope Pius XII. He was the Pope during the National Socialist era. The aim is to examine the letters of petition from Jews to the Catholic Church. In this way, victims are given a voice and the role of the church in the Holocaust is highlighted. |
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Find out more now |
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ZEIT |
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Just freeze it |
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Michael Thumann and Alice Bota discuss possible diplomatic ways out of the Russian war against Ukraine in the Zeit podcast "Der Ostcast". They take a look back over other conflicts in the region, amongst other things. It is becoming clear that the idea of "freezing" the conflict has "a few huge snags". |
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Listen now |
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JUNE 6, 6:30 PM, BERLIN |
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taz Talk meets EVZ Conversations! Right-wing populism vs. democracy? |
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In view of the upcoming European elections, there is growing concern about a further shift to the right and the associated threat to the democratic order. The EVZ Foundation is planning a discussion with experts on issues that go beyond day-to-day politics: Is there (still) a democratic consensus on values and remembrance in the EU? What connects the right-wing populist movements in Europe and what visions do they have? How can nationalism, racism, anti-democratic resentments and the associated historical revisionism be countered? Come along or join us! Join the discussion! |
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Join the discussion |
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JUNE 13 TO 14, POTSDAM |
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Conference: Remembrance in the Future - historical eyewitnesses from the National Socialist era and new technologies in education, mediation and practice |
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The two-day conference on June 13 and 14, 2024 marks the conclusion of the project "For Real? - Virtual Encounter with historical eyewitnesses". Get a comprehensive insight into the project results in lectures, panels and a practical trail, as well as discussions about the future of history education in the digital era. |
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Get informed now |
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JUNE 19, 6:30 PM, BERLIN & DIGITAL |
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Expert discussion "Digital commemoration – communication – education. A discussion between theory and practice" |
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Social media platforms, apps, games, virtual and augmented reality have been playing a part in the culture of remembrance and historical education for a long time now. But is everything that is technically possible also meaningful in terms of the culture of remembrance? The EVZ Foundation invites you to discuss these and other questions with experts. Join us live on site or via our YouTube livestream! |
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Register now for Education in Motion |
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NEWSLETTER 07/2024 |
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Our next edition will be published at the beginning of July! |
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At the beginning of July you can look forward to another newsletter on the Education Agenda NS-Injustice: we will report on European cooperation projects and have an exhibition tip for you in Heidelberg. Stay tuned! |
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All editions at a glance |
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Stiftung Erinnerung, Verantwortung und Zukunft Friedrichstraße 200 10117 Berlin, Germany T +49 (30) 25 92 97-0 F +49 (30) 25 92 97-11 Website |
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Responsible: Dr. Andrea Despot
Editorial: Katrin Kowark, Thomas Stein, Sophie Ziegler, Jana Bültge
Image Credits: dekoder.org; Photothek.de/Thomas Trutschel; Giorgi Kikalishvili |
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The editorial team welcomes your opinion on the newsletter and will be happy to answer any questions. We also help with any issues you might encounter: newsletter@stiftung-evz.de
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© Stiftung Erinnerung, Verantwortung und Zukunft, 2024 |
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