Sefton UNISON has lamented the sharp drop in schools teaching children about the Holocaust.
As the world marks the annual Holocaust Memorial Day today – 81 years after the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp – Sefton UNISON Branch Secretary Glen Williams called on more schools to support children to learn about the horrors of a genocide which saw millions of men, women and children murdered by the Nazis during World War Two.
Glen Williams was among a number of speakers who spoke at the annual Sefton Holocaust Memorial Service, which this year took place at Christ Church in Lord Street in Southport.
He spoke about the vital importance of “raising awareness of the Holocaust and passing on lessons to the next generation” and about the determination of Sefton UNISON to “try to create as many living witnesses to the horrors of genocide as possible as tragically Holocaust survivors die”.
Sefton UNISON Branch Secretary Glen Wiliams said:
“The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘Bridging Generations’.
“Bridging Generations emphasises the importance of remembering the Holocaust and passing on its lessons to future generations.
“The theme Bridging Generations serves as a call to action, reminding us that the responsibility of remembrance does not end with the survivors of the Holocaust.
“It encourages everyone to engage actively with the past, to listen to the stories of survivors and to truly learn from their experiences.
“This theme highlights the crucial role of dialogue between generations to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and to ensure that the lessons learned are carried forward into the future.
“I think it’s fair to say that trade unions don’t always get the best press coverage.
“However I’m proud to work at our local Sefton UNISON branch and I am proud of all that our North West UNISON does around raising awareness of the Holocaust and passing on lessons to the next generation.
“This service today is a direct result of Sefton UNISON’s formal request to Sefton Council many years ago to recognise Holocaust Memorial Day when it was finally recognised by the UK Government in 2001.
“In Sefton alone my union has introduced thousands of young people to Holocaust survivors.
“Every year, and sometimes twice a year, for over 25 years, I have taken groups of people both young and not so young to the camps of Auschwitz, to Auschwitz-Birkenau and to Plaszow.
“My union is trying to create as many living witnesses to the horrors of genocide ad possible as tragically Holocaust survivors die.
“We’ve written books that are now in school libraries, we take groups of young people to Beth Shalom, the Holocaust education centre, we’ve made and commissioned films about Holocaust survivors, such as Leon Greenman and Arek Hersh.
“We have won international awards and we have taken collective action whenever Holocaust-denying right wing groups seek to mobilise in our community, including right here in Southport.
“UNISON is proud to be what the Nazis hated and what the far right despise today.
“We are representative, we are collective, and we’re democratic, and we have equality and justice as our absolute foundation.
“My union is trying to do its best to bridge generations.
“In 1920 before Hitle came to power, the trade union movement in Germany was one of the largest and most powerful in the world with a membership of more than 10 million workers.
“When Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, trade unionists were among the first group to be targeted for persecution.
“Having promised a workers’ holiday for trade unions on May 1st, 1933, the very next day Hitler shut down all trade unions. Their leaders were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
“The early victims of the Holocaust were the leaders of trade unions; those who spoke out; those who refused to be silenced; those who stood up for equality, justice, fairness and democracy.
“Now in the UK, across Europe, and around the globe, the far right is an ever-changing face and an ever-threatening one.
“The language of fear, of intolerance for others, has become normalised in the mainstream media.
“Sadly, since October 2023, the participation by UK schools in Holocaust Memorial Day has dropped sharply.
“The number of schools taking part has fallen by more than half compared with previous years.
“Figures cited by the Holocaust Memorial Trust show a decline from over 2,000 participating UK schools in 2023 to fewer than 900 last year and fewer anticipated again this year.
“Many schools are opting out amid heightened tensions and concerns about controversy in the classroom.
“Reports also suggest some educators feel increasingly cautious about addressing sensitive historical topics in the current political climate contributing to a reduced level of commemoration.
“Holocaust Memorial Day should remind us all that evil words can lead to evil deeds.
“And equally, positive and powerful words can lead to actions that can change our community and our world for the better.
“When communities like our work together, we are stronger together.
“We all have a responsibility to work within our communities to ensure that words are not mere words but a call to action.
“In the worlds of Holocaust survivor Dr Gabor Maté: ‘Never again is not a tribal phrase. It has to be about how human beings trust and treat other human beings.’
“Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel said: ‘We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.’
“I will give you one pledge on behalf of my union in that we will never be silenced in the face of oppression.”
- Learn more about the Holocaust – visit the Holocaust Education Trust website: Holocaust Educational Trust – Latest News
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