During World War II, Nazi Germany was responsible for the murder of more than six millions Jews. Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January, was set up to remember those who lost their lives, honor the survivors and to make a stand against hatred.
Since then, sadly, hatred has continued to claim innocent lives, with genocides in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and now in Darfur. According to the UN, more than 300,000 people in Darfur have lost their lives since the Sudanese conflict began back in 2003. A further four million have been displaced, many of whom are living in makeshift camps, where they endure hunger, disease and regular attacks by armed militias.
Holocaust Memorial Day 2009 is challenging us all to stand up to the hatred that continues across the world today.
"Holocaust Memorial Day is an important day of remembrance for not only the victims of the Holocaust but other genocides that have taken place across the world. Students from the across the country will commemorate victims and honour the survivors, and use this day to continue to tackle the existing prejudice, discrimination and racism in society,” says NUS President Wes Streeting.
Student voices
This year, Leeds University Jewish Society is collecting 12,000 bottle-tops to represent 0.1% of the 12million victims – Jewish, Roma, Sinti, gay, trade unionist, disabled and others - of the Nazi atrocities.
“I think it’s important for students to try to grapple with the scale of the Holocaust and, more importantly, to learn from what happened and make sure that ‘Never Again’ is not an empty phrase,” says Daniel Grabiner, President of Leeds University Jewish Society.
The Union of Jewish Students says it is important students are aware of the Holocaust, “the darkest moment in history” and that they continue to stand up to hatred.
“Our generation has a responsibility to all those who where brutally murdered by the Nazi regime to stand up to hatred and intolerance wherever we see it and ensure that the horrors of the Holocaust are never forgotten and never repeated. The Union of Jewish Students will continue to ensure that commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day is a priority for all students,” says Adam Pike, Chair of the Union of Jewish Students.
How can I get involved?
There are hundreds of events taking place across the UK, some of which NUS will be attending, everything from film screenings to readings from Holocaust survivors.
In Coventry, for example, their will be screenings of Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, as well as exhibitions and seminars at venues across the city.
In Swansea, meanwhile, people are invited to take part in poetry readings, musical performances and readings from guest speakers commemorating victims and survivors.
Organise your own event
You can also set up your own event on campus. Help raise awareness amongst students of the prejudices that still exist in society today by organising your own event.
Anyone can organise an event, and it can be as creative as you like. In the past, people have screened films, run poetry competitions, planted trees, lit candles and put up posters. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has lots of free resources to help you organise an event.
Events where you are
You can search for events taking place near you on the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website or on the Holocaust Educational Trust website.