This Friday, 27th January, is Holocaust Memorial Day and marks the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration camp. It is a time to reflect on the millions of people who lost their lives in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

In the lead up to Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘How can life go on?’ – touching on issues of trauma, displacement, rebuilding communities and remembering the past.

As a pledge of commitment to the importance of Holocaust education, last week Vicky signed the Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment. 

On signing the Book of Commitment, Vicky commented on why commemorating the Holocaust is still so important.
“Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity for us all to seek lessons from the past and recognise how genocide can take place in society. Without reflecting on and educating future generations about these terrible events in history, we cannot hope to prevent the same taking place again in future.”

Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, shared her thoughts on the aims of the trust: “Our mission is to educate young people from every background about the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance. We are very grateful to Vicky Foxcroft for signing the Book of Commitment, signalling a continued commitment to remembering the victims of the Holocaust as well as challenging antisemitism, prejudice and bigotry in all its forms.”